What Defines a Hero?
The Hobbit and Bless the Beasts and Children Essay
Dictionary.com definition: The principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
Literary definition: The hero is the protagonist, or main character, about which the plot revolves. The
hero has the following three characteristics:
1. The hero stands out in the story as a main character and undergoes a change
2. The hero overcomes personal obstacles
3. The hero always reaches their goal
Class definition: A hero is someone who sacrifices something for a cause he or she believes in to better
society
Use these definitions of a hero and the discussion we had in class about the heroic journey to
discuss if Bilbo Baggins and John Cotton can be classified as heroes. In your paper, examine their
characteristic traits and decide if each character meets the above criteria. In other words, you are to go
through each element of the hero listed above and compare each to Bilbo and John Cotton.
*Example: Bilbo was hesitant, lazy, and unadventurous at the beginning of The Hobbit, but as he enters
upon his quest, he undergoes a change in character and becomes brave and self-assured. This change
allowed Bilbo to begin the transformation into a hero as he worked to overcome personal obstacles to
reach this point on the journey. For example, Bilbo had to sacrifice the archen stone for the betterment of
the Lake People and to bring about a truce that would help win the war against the Goblins and Wargs.
You are NOT comparing the separate characteristics of Bilbo and John Cotton (i.e. how one was
brave and the other one was clever). Instead, you are showing how they are similar and different in the
capacity of the hero. Was one a leader? Does this make him more of a hero than the other? Did both
succeed in obtaining the boon of their quest? How did they do this differently?
As 8th graders, you have the opportunity to grow in your personal writing. As you are more mature
and capable writers, the rules or specifics may decrease in regards to where certain items need to be in
your essays, including the thesis and transition sentences. You are logical thinkers….do what makes sense
organizationally. You know the framework or “skeleton” of an essay. Now you may grow creatively! If
you still need them, the rules are there to support and help you. On the back is a template of one way you
may organize this essay.
Introduction:
 Hook/attention grabber
 Discuss the definition of a hero
 Identify traits of a hero
 Mention the characters – you may want to summarize who they are; for example, what are key facts or
background about the characters **keep this short as it is only introducing who they are to the reader
 Thesis: Are Bilbo and John Cotton heroes, and if so, are they more similar in their heroic characteristics or
different? In other words, are all heroes the same? **refer to the heroic journey notes we took in class on Friday
*Example: As the protagonists in their respective novels, both Bilbo Baggins and John Cotton can be defined
as literary heroes. They are therefore similar in numerous ways, although their differing characteristics allow
them to undertake their quests differently.
Body Paragraph 1: Subject One (Bilbo or Cotton)
 Transition from thesis
 Topic sentence – identify which character you are discussing and the dominant impression of the character (i.e.
Is he a hero? Is he brave? Cowardly? Does he begin one way and change? Set up your discussion of the
character here.)
 Provide at least three reasons with support from the novel why the character can be defined as a hero **Do not
just say that yes he is because he undergoes a change and succeeds on his journey. Give details! How is this
character a unique hero? How does the definition of a hero fit his personality and major character traits?
 Conclude with a one-sentence wrap-up
Body Paragraph 2: Subject Two (Character not yet discussed)
 Transition sentence – use a transitional word, phrase, or sentence to logically show the progression of your
ideas.
*Example: However, in other literary works, a hero may be defined differently as his or her characteristics
are as unique as the quest that is undertaken. Indeed, although John Cotton and Bilbo Baggins may both be
considered heroes, Cotton is different in that he is both the guide and hero of the novel.
***In this transition you are connecting the characters and introducing your new ideas—state the name of the
new character and the dominant impression of him.
 Provide at least three reasons with support from the novel why the character can be defined as a hero. Give
details! How is this character a unique hero? How does the definition of a hero fit his personality and major
character traits?
 Conclude with a one-sentence wrap-up
Body Paragraph 3: Compare/Contrast
 Transition
 Compare the two characters as heroes. Does the definition of a hero apply to them in the same ways? Do they go
about being a hero differently? Is one more heroic than the other? HOW – elaborate on your ideas and support
with evidence from the novels
 DO NOT be redundant and say the same things from body paragraphs 1 and 2. In these paragraphs you
described the characters as separate heroes. Now compare Bilbo and Cotton with one another.
Conclusion
 Transition
*Example: Therefore, although Bilbo and Cotton are heroes in their own right, their differing characteristics
make each unique.
 Summarize key ideas - Who are the characters? Are they heroes? How do they fit the heroic definition? How are
they different or similar?
**This is like your essay in reverse: you unpacked the box and shared your thoughts with your reader. Now put
them all nicely back in one at a time beginning with the last one taken out. Go back up through your points to
remind the reader what you discussed and what your thesis is
 YES RE-STATE YOUR THESIS. You need to have a full-circle ending. Everything in your paper should relate
to your thesis, so the conclusion/summary should be tied directly into this.
 End – wrap everything up nicely, close the box, and put the bow on top the package! Conclude your thoughts for
the reader.