Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Rehash: The Hobbit

I watched the movie Up recently and made some interesting observations comparable to the Hobbit. In heart both of the main characters are destined for adventure and discovery, but fall into a situation they did not particularly favor. As I mentioned in my first post, this is a common element in the stories told in many fantasy worlds. Initially they fall victim to their own destiny but in the end take more from it than they expected and become better people. Something I did not quite consider is the essence of "hero" and how these stories appeal to audiences of all ages. When Up came out, some people thought the nature of the film was a bit mature. Regardless, the movie holds appeal to children just as well as it does the older audience. The Hobbit to some, on the other hand, seemed to be somewhat of kid's story yet it was a sensation among adults. So what makes these stories appeal to such a variety of demographics? I would say two things: the heroic possibilities within someone who is not heroic in stature by any means and the capabilities of the beta male.

As I've grown up and watched tv and read comics, the heros I have come to know are all muscular men and women with go-to attitudes and a commanding presence. The appeal here is purely in the action and "superpowers" that these people possess. The characters are not necessarily ones we can emphasize with. As a kid the entertainment value is purely on the surface and as an adult... well most interest is lost with the exception of some die-hard fans. When we mature we see the absurdity in these types of heros and we begin to look for characters with depth. Bilbo Baggins is a character with depth. Tolkein was smart with how he designed his protagonist. To keep interest with the younger audience he made a short character with a certain cheerfulness that accentuates his naivety. Bilbo, although old, is not quite unlike a kid. However an adult reader can see into his character and see how exceptionally average he is. As the story unfolds, both mature and young minds can appreciate the world and enjoy the journey Bilbo is a part of. This is similar in Up with Carl.

Take into consideration the idea and appeal of the beta-male. In this society the beta-male is often referred to as the nice guy and that nice guys always finish last. The majority of society can emphasize with this character type due to the overall average attributes they possess. In The Hobbit, Bilbo fits this role. He's a standard individual who is typically caring and is put against antagonists who are alpha-males. His success over these people give a sense of hope to readers, both young and old, who especially find themselves to be of this archetype. Comparatively in Up we find Russell and Carl, both beta-males, pitted against the protagonist, an alpha-male, and overcome him. Pixar pushes the appeal to younger audiences with the addition of talking dogs. So literally we have a case of an alpha (the lead bad dog) and Dug caught in a battle of their own.

So there you have it, stories that appeals to any age even though some content may be too mature for younger audiences or an appeal that may seem too kid-oriented for older audiences. Novels such as The Hobbit are successful because of this. I hope to see more narratives with these ideals. I too feel I am a beta-male and enjoy a story in which this type of person overcomes the alpha.

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