Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Adoption Movie Review: The Hobbit
A Hobbit named Bilbo enjoys his peaceful existence. Then a
visitor from his past invites him on an unexpected adventure that will direct the course of
his life.
And How is This
Relevant to Adoption or Foster Care?
Bilbo’s adventure is more or less thrust upon him. Both good
and bad come of it. While he does ultimately have the final choice of whether
or not to join the adventure, the sudden and “unexpected” nature of the journey
may mirror the suddenness with which some children find themselves in foster care.
While they ultimately have the choice to accept what’s happened or not, the
happenings are often quite unexpected and uninvited.
Bilbo overhears Thorin, one of the adventurers, complaining
that Bilbo does not belong. This resonates with Bilbo, who initially chooses to
leave the party. Children being raised in foster care or in adoptive families
may feel that they do not belong. Sadly, they may also overhear (or even be
told) the same.
Strong Points
Although
Thorin initially proclaims that Bilbo does not belong in his company, he later
repents of this in strong words, saying that he has never been more wrong. Even
when Thorin was against Bilbo, another adventurer tried to convince Bilbo that
he belongs.
Bilbo
has compassion on the adventurers, understanding that they were on their
adventure because they had no place to call home. Bilbo has a home which he
loves, and he is saddened that the adventures do not have one. He chooses to
help them.
There
is much, in general, to commend about this film. Thorin praises his
adventurers, in spite of their unathletic appearances, because they have
loyalty, honor, and willing hearts. Gandalf admonishes Bilbo that true courage
“is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.” Bilbo earns
Thorin’s esteem by proving himself courageous.
Challenges
Bilbo
was only accepted by Thorin when he risked his life to save Thorin’s. Bilbo did
show great bravery here, but there is a potential concern. Children in care
might identify with Bilbo feeling like an outsider. Thorin is the leader of the
company, a homogenous group. All dwarves. Thorin refuses to include the
different person, the Hobbit. Bilbo only earns his acceptance and inclusion
through bravery, it is not extended unconditionally. Thorin might be seen by
some viewers as an analogue for a father, and an unfortunate message that might
be unwittingly derived from the film is that, to be accepted and included into
your new family, you’ve really got to earn it.
Weak Points
Because
this film has such a wide base of appeal, many children will be taken to see
it. There are many frightening elements which could serve as triggers for some kids:
witchcraft, ghostly figures, sword fighting including death, and scary bad guys
could all be problematic for some younger viewers.
Questions for Discussion after the movie
For Kids:
Have
parts of your life ever felt like an unexpected journey?
Sometimes,
Bilbo felt like an outsider. Once, he felt so much like an outsider that he
wanted to leave. When have you felt that way?
Thorin
stopped viewing Bilbo as an outsider when Bilbo was very brave. Do you feel
like you have to do something to earn your way into a family or group of
friends, or do they just let you in?
For Foster/Adoptive Parents
What
have the kids in your home heard (or what may they have overheard!) about
whether they belong in your family? What do you want them to know?
A Project:
Bilbo
is in the process of writing his memoirs. He’s creating something of a “Life
Book.” Life
Books are valuable for all kids, and perhaps particularly so for
those who are, or have been, in foster care. The Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association offers some excellent, free resources for helping a child create their own Life Book. Purchase an attractive blank journal, and
using the IFAPA resources as a guide, encourage your child to write and title
their own story of an “Unexpected Journey.”
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*Notebook photo by Rachelyra @ Flickr
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