Heroes
Kim K.

There are certainly many 'heroes' within this tale, even the Rangers who protected the Shire for generations are men of merit , though their part takes but little type. As for the story itself I think if we apply the concept of hero espoused by the late Joseph Campbell, the four Hobbits are the heroes of the story. After all it is their story. They go out on the adventure, are tried, tested, receive help unasked for and when unexpected. Most importantly they return home changed! It is these changes that are so desperately needed by their home community. So much so that they not only save their community from armed aggression but these four formerly very common Hobbits go on to give their community the leadership it now needs in a very different world. This is the "hero story".