The Hobbit has a unique narrative voice in which Tolkein speaks directly to the reader, making the reader feel like they are a part of the story. Although the story is undoubtably that of Bilbo, Tolkein doesn’t flinch in giving us information that Bilbo does not know or hasn’t learned yet. Tolkein will follow Bilbo for as long as he is able, but eventually we must know what happened to Smaug and the Goblins. With the narrative style, these changes in perspective don’t seem the least bit jarring. A few examples of this are:“It was a turning point in his career and he did not know it.”
“Now certainly Bilbo was in what is called a tight place. But you must remember it was not quite so tight for him as it would have been for me or you.”
“I imagine you know the answer.”
This is empowering as a reader, and gives the narrator a voice of his own, and in turn allows the author to take liberties with perspectives and future information.
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