The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again Theme of Exploration

The setting of The Hobbit is intimately connected to its tone and plot developments. So when Bilbo moves out of his home territory and into foreign lands, the landscape gets dark, dreary, and cold. And when Bilbo and the dwarves are left on their own to face Mirkwood, suddenly the path starts to break apart. In other words, the way forward is no longer quite so clear. In The Hobbit, exploration is never just about finding new places for their own sake. Exploration is the only way for these characters to advance the plot of the novel. Any place that's outside of their immediate goals is literally left off the map.

1. What might hobbits find so threatening about adventures and exploration? How does adventure conflict with hobbit values?
2. What does Bilbo take away from his explorations? What kinds of knowledge does Bilbo's adventure bring him? How do Bilbo's explorations change him as a hobbit?
3. What are the different attitudes of Bilbo and the various dwarves toward exploration? Do the dwarves share a general approach to exploration, or are there differences within Thorin's company?