Introduction
Humor is the device used in literature that has an amusing or comic effect, used by authors to communicate various pieces of information. Humor is used in writing to make it exciting and drive different points home that the author has. In this case, there are various ways through which Tolkien uses humor to portray the adventures in The Hobbit. First and foremost, there is humor as Bilbo, and the companions approach the dark. The dark is terrifying and full of uncertainty; therefore, Tolkien sneaks in the aspect of humor. Through the quote, "Well, here is Mirkwood! The greatest of the forests in the Northern world.” I hope you like the look of it". The quote shows an aspect of humor because it is comical and funny, relating to the situation.
Furthermore, there is a comment about Bombur being fat as part of the plot. In reply to his concern, one of the companions, Thorin, replies, "You should not be so fat." (Tolkien 134).That was comical, based on the circumstance and nature it was said. It was a terrifying moment, but the author managed to use humor to lighten the mood. At that moment, there were other more pressing issues that the people were worried about. The weight of one of the companions was not any close to being an issue of interest. However, the way it comes up, and the attention it all gets end has a humorous aspect to the plot. The role of humor plot is meant to create a change in mood, which would have been tense, given the circumstances of the phrases.
Furthermore, associated with Bombur's weight, there is the aspect of humor as they cross the river. Obviously, when crossing the river, weight is an issue. That is because of the likelihood of an individual sinking. There is the likelihood of a disaster because one might drown and end up dying. However, in this case, there is the addition of an element of humor. He had stumbled, thrusting the boat away from the bank, and then toppled back into the dark water" ( Tolkien 135). He ends up stumbling and falls into the water. He is dragged out by his friends, but is already asleep, which is humorous because it was a near-death experience.
The author uses some authorial techniques to illuminate some of the most severe pars of the plot. One of them is satire, where there is the ridicule of a character based on their personality. For example, in this case, the weight of an individual was used to be satirical. That was despite the circumstance being terrifying, which changed the mood. Furthermore, there is the use of exaggeration, where a statement proves to be worse than the situation is. For example, when Bombur drowned and fell asleep. That was an exaggeration because that, in reality, cannot happen. That was meant to lighten the mood, despite the tragic occurrence that would have led to death. Those are some of the authorial techniques that the author uses to bring some light to dark moments.
Conclusion
The style of writing that is used in this case is comic. The book's genre is fantasy because of the significant part that is associated with supernatural powers in the plot. Although the book contains several instances of comedy, the supernatural aspect is more dominant. Therefore, although there is a comedy in most parts, it cannot be termed as comedy. That is because the significant element that contributes to the plot is fantasy, through the use of supernatural phenomena. Therefore, the book cannot be termed as belonging to the comedy as a genre.
