Bilbo’s Handkerchief and the Hero’s Journey

From Comfort to Courage

In the early morning light, Bilbo Baggins races out of his comfortable hobbit hole in a frantic hurry. The sun has just risen, and the rolling green hills of the Shire are bathed in the warm glow of dawn. His mind is racing too, for he is late. The dwarves have already set off on their grand adventure, and he has been caught unprepared. In his haste, Bilbo forgets something trivial yet significant—his handkerchief. “No time! No time!” Gandalf urges him along as he dashes past the quaint hedges and gardens. The forgetfulness of such a small item may seem like a comedic detail, yet it symbolizes something much deeper about the journey Bilbo is about to undertake—a journey that will lead him far from the comforts of home into realms of danger, self-discovery, and courage.

Thanks to a great read-through of The Hobbit, put together by Patrick Lawrence on his Substack

Ringfolk

(which I highly suggest you jump in on) I have been pouring over the opening chapters of the book this week. Now, I have read over this detail regarding Bilbo’s forgetting of his handkerchief a number of times, but in preparing for an upcoming event that will have me away from home for some time, the anxiety he felt about leaving it resonated in a way that it hasn’t before. It seems to me that Tolkien’s simple yet profound depiction of Bilbo’s anxiety over his forgotten handkerchief serves as a potent symbol for the tension between the familiar world of comfort and the unknown challenges that await. This unassuming detail also seems to encapsulate the essence of the hero’s journey and the transformational process that Bilbo undergoes, leaving behind the security of his ordinary life for the uncertain path of adventure.

The Handkerchief as a Symbol of Home and Comfort

Bilbo Baggins is, at his core, a creature of comfort. The hobbit hole at Bag End, with its cozy rooms, plentiful pantries, and well-stocked larders, represents the life of ease and predictability that Bilbo cherishes. It is a life centered on small comforts, routines, and the tranquility of the Shire. In this context, the handkerchief is more than a mere accessory; it symbolizes Bilbo’s attachment to the comforts of home, a tangible representation of his reluctance to leave the safety of the familiar.

The anxiety Bilbo feels over leaving without his handkerchief highlights his initial resistance to change. It reflects a mindset that is deeply rooted in the values of the Shire: cleanliness, propriety, and routine. In his world, a handkerchief is not just a piece of cloth—it is a symbol of order and civility. The dwarves, with their rugged and adventurous lifestyle, do not understand Bilbo’s concern for such trivialities, but for Bilbo, it is indicative of everything he holds dear.

This moment foreshadows the internal struggle that will define Bilbo’s journey. The adventure calls him to abandon not just his handkerchief, but all the comforts, securities, and certainties of his old life. The forgetfulness of this small item suggests, even if unconsciously, that Bilbo is about to step into a world where the concerns of the Shire will become irrelevant in the face of far greater challenges.

Crossing the Threshold

In Joseph Campbell’s framework of the Hero’s Journey, the moment Bilbo leaves Bag End and rushes to catch up with the company of dwarves represents the crossing of the threshold—the point where the hero leaves behind the known world for the unknown. This threshold is not merely a physical boundary but a psychological one. It signifies a break from the familiar into the realm of adventure, danger, and transformation.

Bilbo’s frantic departure without his handkerchief is a symbolic moment. It is a reluctant step away from the comfort of his home, and it marks the beginning of a journey that will push him beyond his boundaries. In mythological terms, it is akin to the hero leaving behind their old self to be transformed through trials and tribulations. The forgotten handkerchief symbolizes Bilbo’s struggle to leave behind the comforts of his old life, which he must do if he is to embrace the fullness of his potential.

The hero’s journey is not simply about physical distance but about the inner transformation that comes from stepping into the unknown. Bilbo’s journey is one of self-discovery. As he moves further from the Shire, he gradually sheds his anxiety over comfort and embraces a new identity—one defined by courage, resourcefulness, and resilience.

As Bilbo’s journey unfolds, the significance of the handkerchief fades into the background, symbolizing how the concerns of his old life become increasingly irrelevant. The more he faces the dangers of trolls, goblins, and dragons, the less he worries about the comforts he left behind. By the time Bilbo reaches the Lonely Mountain, he has undergone a profound transformation. He no longer needs a handkerchief to face the challenges before him; instead, he finds strength and courage within himself.

The act of leaving the handkerchief behind becomes symbolic of the shedding of his old self. The comforts of the Shire are no longer his primary concern. Instead, he learns to value things like loyalty, bravery, and ingenuity. This shift represents the deeper transformation that Tolkien’s story captures so well: the journey of a reluctant hero who discovers that true strength does not come from external comforts but from within.

The forgotten handkerchief becomes a metaphor for all the things Bilbo thought he needed but ultimately realizes he can live without. In a broader sense, it speaks to the nature of growth and transformation. To become something more than what we are, we often have to leave behind what we think defines us. Bilbo’s handkerchief is left behind, but in its place, he gains a deeper sense of purpose, courage, and identity.

Rediscovering the Meaning of Home

By the time Bilbo returns to the Shire, he is no longer the same hobbit who once fretted over leaving his handkerchief behind. He has faced trolls, spiders, and dragons; he has learned to navigate treacherous landscapes and engage in high-stakes negotiations. Yet, in the end, he returns home, not to resume his old life, but to embrace a new understanding of what it means to belong.

The hero’s journey culminates in the return, where the hero brings back the wisdom and experience gained from the adventure. For Bilbo, the Shire remains as quaint and peaceful as ever, but he now sees it with new eyes. The handkerchief, which once symbolized his attachment to comfort, is no longer significant. He has learned that true contentment is not found in physical comforts but in the strength of character forged through adversity.

The final irony is that when Bilbo returns home, he finds that he is no longer entirely at ease in the Shire. The journey has changed him, and he cannot fully return to the life he once led. The handkerchief, and everything it symbolized, is left behind in more ways than one. Bilbo’s journey reflects a fundamental truth of the human experience: once we step into the unknown and face the challenges that lie there, we can never return to who we were before. We come back changed, with a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Conclusion: The Handkerchief as a Symbol of Transformation

Bilbo’s forgotten handkerchief is more than a comedic detail; it is a profound symbol of the journey from comfort to courage, from reluctance to resolve. In leaving behind the trivial comforts of his old life, Bilbo steps into a world where he discovers his true self. Tolkien masterfully uses this small, seemingly insignificant detail to capture the essence of the hero’s journey.

The story of Bilbo Baggins teaches us that the things we hold onto for comfort may, in fact, be the very things that hold us back. The handkerchief serves as a reminder that to grow, we must sometimes leave behind the things that make us feel safe. Only then can we discover the strength and courage that lie dormant within us, waiting to be awakened by the call of adventure.

In a world that often prioritizes comfort and security, Tolkien’s tale reminds us that the path to self-discovery is rarely smooth or predictable. Sometimes, it requires us to leave behind the handkerchiefs of our lives and embrace the uncertainty of the road ahead.