than the graphic depiction of violence and the frightening presentation of the monstrous. At its deepest level of meaning—and great children’s literature always has a deep level of meaning—The Hobbit is a pilgrimage of grace, in which its protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, becomes grown-up in the most important sense, which is the growth in wisdom and virtue. Throughout the course of his adventure—and every pilgrimage is an adventure—the hobbit develops the habit of virtue and grows in sanctity. Thus The