Citation: Bilkisu Baba SALEH (2020). A Comparative Analysis of European and Hausa Fantasy Stories: The Heroic Characters in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Saidu Ahmed Daura’s Tauraruwar Hamada. Yobe Journal of Language, Literature and Culture (YOJOLLAC), Vol. .8 Department of African Languages and Linguistics, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria. ISSN 2449-0660
A COMPARATIVE
ANALYSIS OF EUROPEAN AND HAUSA FANTASY STORIES: THE HEROIC CHARACTERS IN J. R. R. TOLKIEN’S THE HOBBIT
AND SAIDU AHMED DAURA’S TAURARUWAR HAMADA
By
Bilkisu Baba SALEH
Abstract
This paper examines the European and Hausa fantasy stories.
It looks most deep into the heroic pattern of the Hobbit and Tauraruwar Hamada
written by J.J.R. Tolkien and Ahmed Saidu Daura on the circumstances of their
own fantasy stories, culture and experiences. Both Tolkien and Daura in spite
of huge difference in their social, political, geographical and cultural circle
use similar fantasy pattern of story. Analyzing, the researcher documents some
features such as antiheroes to become heroes, journey, hardship, quest,
mountain, transformation and generic elements such as eagles, giants, acquiring
supernatural power are present in both stories. The stories make use of
features in the narration that are in techniques similar to that of traditional
and oral literature. They were told using features such as the protagonist
being given impossible or difficult tasks, the presentation of fictional
animals and hardships. It reflects a culture either good or evil, the storyline
of the hero from undeveloped to developed, the quest and journey theme that
places the story of the Hobbit and Tauraruwar Hamada and Bilbo and Mallam Danye
into Fantasy genre. The paper concludes that it is possible that due to the
effect of colonialism on African culture; the European fantasy stories might
have influenced the Hausa fantasy genre.
1.0 Introduction
Numerous fantasy stories, even those that happen in the real
world, ensure to contain elements and domains that are enormously distant from
the ordinary. Fantasy story writers consequently use such elements as a way to
convey meaning by which, as Jackson (1981)
states, they “fill in the paraxial space between the real and the unreal” (p. 20).
This substantial filling of space is not just recognizing the links between the
fantasy and the actual world, it also intends to break the barrier between the
two worlds, and a number of elements of fantasy that occur are intended to
depict the reality of what actually it is. These elements that the fantasy
story writers use vary from character viewpoint to story allegory. However,
there are some primary elements in which the fantasy writers use to cut across
the boundaries between realities. Such elements are the representation of
dragons, magic, trolls, goblins wizards, demons, giant snakes and many others. In
addition, fantasy authors include in their writing heroes who are well built,
strong and fearless but Tolkien's and Ahmed Daura heroes in The Hobbit and
Tauraruwar Hamada are different. Bilbo,
the main hero of the Hobbit a narrative published
first in (1936)
is a hobbit who is small in size as signed by the wizard (Gondolf)
to become a burglar for dwarves who intend to get back their lost gold from the dragon Tolkien (2007, p. 1-5). Bilbo who is a little being smaller than dwarves, cannot be
recognized as a hero. But in the Hobbit, Bilbo becomes a heroic character
because of his courage, wisdom and overcoming all challenges throughout the
journey. All the way through the adventure, any reader will comprehend that
Bilbo returns home from the journey with something more vital than heaps of
gold. He returns home developed and heroic. Similarly, Mallam Danye is the protagonist of the Tauraruwar Hamada normal
human being known for his burglary across his country side. He is hired by the
king of Damas to steal a beautiful
woman for him when he hears about her beauty. Daura
(1971, p.7) Mallam Danye
turns out to be heroic as he faces challenges with courage, wisdom as well as handles dangerous situations wisely but returns home a changed person and becomes famous as a
result of wining battles. Quest fantasy heroes are widely known since ancient
times, from the epic of Gilgamesh, Thomas Malory’s Arthur’s knight and Beowulf.
They are the heroes known for their strength to fight. The Hobbit and
Tauraruwar Hamada are unlike other familiar heroes in fantasy narratives as
represented by Tolkien and Daura. Bilbo Baggins and Mallam Danye have more
courage than physique. For this reason, the paper investigates the similarities
that exist between the Hobbit and the indigenous Hausa story in relation to the
heroic fantasy features. Throughout the journey, Bilbo and Mallam Danye and
their companions meet with either some creatures or hardship that present
challenges to them. How these encounters develop them into heroes will also be
argued.
2.0 Heroic
Nature of Bilbo Baggin
An encounter with difficulties or threat by creatures is
common among English heroic fantasy stories. Bilbo and his companions meet with
different creatures that are mostly of great threat to their lives. As their
journey begins to the lonely mountain, Bilbo and his acquaintances come upon
hostile creatures such as Trolls, The Goblins, Gollum, Magic Ring, Wolves,
Eagles and Beorn, The Giant Spiders, The Elves, The Mountain and Dragon which
they consider as a great threat and have to struggle tremendously before
accomplishing their quest.
2.1 The Trolls
The representation of trolls in the story can be said to be
a generic element of the fantasy genre. Trolls are giants and ugly beings that
are considered to be dangerous to other creatures because they eat them. In the
first encounter, Bilbo and the dwarves were threatened by the trolls when he
was sent to find out about the light they saw in the forest. He saw two giants
roasting mutton, they were trolls. Bilbo did not go back to inform the dwarves
about the trolls but then ‘plucked up courage and put his little hand in
Williams’s enormous pocket. There was a purse in it as big as a bag to BilboTolkien (2007, p. 34). In this incident, Bilbo shows real courage by stealing from
the trolls. Bilbo knows that these creatures are trolls, yet he had the courage
to steal from them. Bilbo and the dwarves were caught by the trolls and almost
killed, only to be saved by Gandalf. In this encounter Chance (2001) argues that “Bilbo fails as a burglar as well as a hero in the episode
because of poor timing and clumsiness” (p. 66).
2.2 The Goblins
Another fantastic element in the story is the appearance of
the Goblins. Goblins are similar to trolls because they kill as well as the next threat to Bilbo and
the dwarves after the trolls. Bilbo and the Dwarves are caught by the Goblins
when they seek refuge one night in a cave. The wizard was awakened by Bilbo’s
cry before Bilbo and the dwarves were held captive and taken to see the Great
Goblin. The Great Goblin becomes conscious that the group is not only in ‘his’
mountain, but he discovered that a number of goblins were killed by them as
well. Also, Thorin put on a sword he got from the troll’s lair called
Orcrist that killed goblins during their war with the dwarves. The Great Goblin
turns out to be enraged and wants to kill them, but Gandalf appears at the last
minute to rescue them. Unintentionally, Bilbo is separated from his companions
after their escape from the goblins. He was all left by himself. Bilbo found
his way in the dark, and finally, he was led up to a tunnel that ends into a
lake Tolkien (2007, p. 67).
2.3 Gollum and
Magic Ring
A further generic element of the fantasy genre can be
identified in the representation of Gollum a small slimy horrible creature who owns and lost the magic ring to Bilbo
benefit. In the fantasy genre, a magic ring is a commonly an ordinary finger
ring that has supernatural qualities that give the wearer ranges of aids which
consist of invisibility, granting of a person’s wishes and immortality. Magic
sometimes works as a force of good and occasionally as curse and whose
importance depends on the wearer. Bilbo Baggins wears a ring to escape from
Gollum. In The Lord of the Rings, twenty Rings are used but the Powerful “One
Ring’ is the one that makes the wearer invisible and possessed with evil”. Chance
(2001) states
that “It
also provides Bilbo with the means to perform the burglary of dragon hoard. It
heightens Bilbo’s confidence and allows him to demonstrate real heroism and
leadership as a burglar” (p. 67).
2.4 The Wolves
Along the path of the lake, Bilbo found a ring. It is here
that Bilbo encounters Gollum Bilbo met Gollum, which was hungry and does not
have anything to eat. He engaged Gollum in a riddle contest to save his life on
one condition, if Bilbo wins the riddle Gollum will get him out of that place.
Bilbo escapes from Gollum and coincidentally finds out the usefulness of the
ring he found. ‘It is a magic ring that makes the wearer invisible.’ Bilbo
would have killed Gollum if he wanted to, but out of pity, Bilbo did not kill
Gollum and escapes the mountain to find his friends. This encounter is
necessary because the ring links Gollum with Smaug. Chance
(2001) asserts that
“It also provides Bilbo with the
means to perform the burglary of dragon hoard. It heightens Bilbo’s confidence
and allows him to demonstrate real heroism and leadership as a burglar” (p.
67). After Bilbo escapes Gollum, he joined his friends, and they continue their
journey until nightfall. Soon they were alerted by the howling of the wolves,
and Gandalf advises them to climb a tree nearby to save themselves for wolves
are also dangerous creatures. Later they gathered under the tree, they took
shelter. Gandalf frightens them by throwing a bright blue fire among the
wolves. They were joined by goblins to put up the fire. This encounter is a
great threat to Bilbo and his companions only for the eagles to save them after
almost given up hope.
2.5 Eagles and
Beorn
The
depiction of the eagles and beorn in the story is another generic element.
Beorn shifting Eagles are giant birds and considered as a good creature in this
story that rendered help to the needy. After their departure from the Eagles,
Gandalf guides them to the hall of Beorn, a human like creature who can
transforms or shape shift into bear. At Beorn’s place they rested for a while
and get food supplies and horses from him before continuing with their journey
across the Mirkwood forest Tolkien (2007,
p. 123). Their encounter with Beorn is a friendly one. Beorn did not threaten
them; he helped them instead and warned them about the danger of the forest and
how vital it is for them to remain on the road. Gandalf left them to continue
with their journey into the Mirkwood forest. In this encounter Bilbo did not
face any changes a hero.
2.6 The Giant
Spider
Having wandered into the forest for a while, they become
hungry; they fail to remain on the road as warned by Beorn looking for
something they could eat. They got tired and fell asleep and become trapped in
webs by giant spiders. Luckily, for Bilbo, he wakes up before being completely
trapped by the Spiders. He freed himself and tricked the rest of the Spiders by
invoking their anger and calling them insulting names. He made them so angry
that they followed his voice leaving the dwarves to find him, and that was how
Bilbo rescued the dwarves and using his sword and the magical ring Tolkien (2007, p. 143-155). The encounter is of a great threat to
them as Chance (2001) insist that:
this battle changes Bilbo somehow, the killing of the giant
spider all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the
dwarves made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt a different person and
much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach. (p.
7).
Here Bilbo is developing in a heroic way; the Dwarves begin
to respect him in a new way and also depend on him for help. Spiders are also
elements of fantasy stories that are used to invoke fear and serve as a
challenge to the hero.
2.7 The Elves
After their encounter with spiders, they were again captured
by the Mirkwood Elves. The Elven king does not trust them therefore; he held
them captive until Bilbo rescues the group of dwarves by placing them into the
empty barrels that sail down the river to the people living by the Long Lake.
This is another interesting encounter that Bilbo uses courage and bravery
before he could rescue the dwarves. It is an encounter that proves Bilbo’s
heroism. Their encounter with the people of the Long Lake is a friendly
encounter. They rested on the Long Lake and departed. Once again they were
given horses and food supplies and they continue with their journey towards the
Lonely Mountain. Appearance of elves in fantasy stories are sometimes vitals
because of their unique features.
2.8 The
Mountain and Dragon
The encounter with the dragon is Bilbo’s major task as he is
facing it alone. Bilbo puts on his ring; he crept quietly into the mountain. He
keeps on going until he reaches a place, Tolkien (2007) “he hears the gurgling noise of some vast and
snoring in its sleep down there, then in the red glow in front of him” (p.197).
This is like a battle, Tolkien (2007)
“he fought the real battle in the tunnel alone” (p. 197) with all his courage.
He stole two golden cups. This offends the dragon later when he discovers the
missing cups. Bilbo takes charge of the group by telling them of his plans, and
they listen with respect for now, Tolkien (2007)
“he had become the real leader in the adventure” (p. 203). Bilbo accomplished
the mission by using the invisible ring to his advantage. The dragon was
wide-awake when Bilbo went the second time. He can smell Bilbo miles away even
though he could not see him. Smaug invited Bilbo, but he declines and had a
talk with Smaug by using praises and riddles. When Smaug confirms that Bilbo
journeys with dwarves to take revenge, he got angry and boasts praises of his
power and how he had killed people and dwarves. Bilbo continued to chat with
Smaug until he found the dragon’s weaknesses which later Bard heard from the
bird to kill him. The encounter of Bilbo and the dragon in the Lonely Mountain
takes over the story of the dragon in Beowulf.
According to Noel (1977):
In both stories are the guardian of golden hoard by dragon
underground, the theft of a precious cup by unknown person, and the dragon
recognition that a single item was missing from a vast treasury. In tales, the
thief escaped and the raging dragon caused destruction that brought about his
doom. (p. 60).
The representation of the ‘dragon’s barrow’ in Beowulf is
similar to the representation of Smaug in The Hobbit. The representation of
dragon in the story can be said to be a generic element of the fantasy genre.
In a fantasy story, a dragon is a legendary creature able to perform both good
and evil which is related with remarkable power. In history, dragons can be
linked to several cultures but in modern literature they are creatures with a
huge body similar to that of a lizard or snake with two pairs of legs and
capable of breathing fire from their mouth. Dragons are mostly related with
knowledge; they are wise, possess some magic and have a long life span. Dragons
are connected with wells, mountain, and rivers and often speak like humans.
Modern fantasy story writers incorporate dragons in their stories to make the
stories unique. It is acknowledged to fulfill as a generic element of a
fantastical world. Dragons and dragons themes keep on recurring in the fantasy
genre.
3.0 Heroic
Nature of Mallam Danye
In Hausa heroic fantasy stories, a hero always run into
difficulties or threaten by generic creatures before accomplishing his quest.
Therefore, for Mallam Danye to show his heroic
abilities, he meets and threaten by antagonistic creatures and difficulties
such as an encounter with Yan Hari, The King’s Men, Giants and Eagles, Jamilatu
Uhura and her Husband, The Giant Snake, The Demons, Mountain and old Man before
completing the task.
3.1 Yan Hari (Robbers)
In the first
encounter, Mallam Danye was threatened by the ’Yan Hari
(Robbers) who stole his food stuffs and became a slave. Mallam Danye
did not fight like most epic hero rather he gained the trust of his master to
escape Daura (1971, p.9). In this incident, Mallam Danye shows courage
by being calm and not showing his real intention for if he does that he will
remain captive forever. ’Yan Hari are human beings that are considered to be
dangerous to other people because they can kill or turn you a slave. In this
encounter Mallam Danye fails as a hero because of ill-fated time and
uneasiness.
3.2 King’s Men
The next threat to M. Danye after ’Yan hari is the king’s
men. Mallam Danye was caught by the king’s men after his escape from his
master. While he continues with his journey, Mallam Danye was again held
captive and taken to see the king (p. 10-11). The king becomes conscious that
the Mallam Danye has camel. He seized the camel and makes him a prisoner who
suffered hardship in the jail. This encounter is crucial for the reason that it
provides Mallam Danye with more determinations to steal the girl as he promised.
It also increases Danye’s confidence and let him to show real bravery.
3.3 Giants and
Eagles
The encounter with the giants and the eagles are of great
threat to Mallam Danye. Mallam Danye and his companion Dabo reached a village
where only giants leave and each giant possesses an eagle that brings birds for
his master. Mallam Danye and his partner were caught by the eagles and held
captive in a cage. Mallam Danye used his cleverness in this encounter to save
them after almost given up hope for he remembered Faira’atu’s warning about
fish. He quickly informed the leader of the giants not to eat the fish his
eagle brought for him because he will die after eating the fish. He requested
that a prisoner with death penalty should eat the fish to prove his words. One
of the prisoners ate the fish and he died afterwards, (Daura, 1971, P. 34).
Mallam Danye and Dabo were released and they become the giants’ friends. Giants
are similar to trolls because they eat other creatures as well as its
appearance and the Eagle in the story denotes to be a fantastic element in
Hausa fantasy narrative.
3.4 Mallam Danye’s encounter with Jamilatul’ Uhura
and her husband Sarkin Jafila
After their departure from the giants and the eagles, Mallam
Danye continues with their journey across the forest until they reached a
river. The river is close to Jamilatul Uhura’s household. The threat in this
encounter is that every male that entered into this house will be held captive
and later killed after the return of her husband. But again Mallam Danye uses
his cleverness to save them. In his text, Daura (1971),
Mallam Danye told Jamila that:
Na gode Allah ko da yanzu an sare mana kai...na ji labarinki
tun daga qasar Damas na fito mu yi ido huxu, yau ko shekara huxu ke nan rabo na
da gida, ba irin wahala da ban shiga ba, ga shi yau Allah ya sada ni da
buqatata. (p.35).
Translation
Thank God even if we are assassinated now…I hear your story
from Damas I have come to meet you, today is my fourth year away from home, I
entered into much difficulty but now God has fulfilled my wish.
Therefore, this kind of words used by Mallam Danye makes
Jamila to like them. Upon the return of her husband Sarkin Jallaba, Jamila
convinced him not to kill them. Mallam Danye spent sometimes with them even the
king begins to like them. This is another interesting encounter that Danye uses
courage and bravery before he could rescue himself and Dabo. It is an encounter
that proves Dane’s heroism.
3.5 The Giant
Snake
Once they left Sarkin Jallaba, Danye and Dabo boarded a ship
that later had accident during the journey. Mallam Danye found a box while
trying to get out of the river. The box contains a human object which later
discovered as a prince whose father’s enemies’ plots to kill. Mallam Danye
returns the prince to his kingdom and afterwards becomes a royal himself. One
day, he was going round the town he discovered that a giant snake leaves in a
tree near the town. He gained the snake trust by providing meat for every day.
The snake asked Mallam Danye if he wishes to accomplish something in life.
Later, the snake rendered help for Mallam Danye. Although Mallam Danye uses his
cleverness to win the snakes trust but this encounter is also vital for Mallam
Danye will never reach the mountain that grants supernatural power to human
being without the snake, (Daura, 1971, p. 56-59). Besides,
the appearance of a giant talking snake is a fantastic element in fantasy
narratives.
3.6 The Demons
Encounter with the demons is also a threat to Mallam Danye
because he could not reach the mountain without their help. When Danye left the
snake where she flew him, He continues riding his horse until he reaches a
house and entered without permission. He met a woman who told him that the
household belongs to the son of the demons king. Demons are mostly evil. Mallam
Danye is aware of their evils actions that is why he urged the wife of the
great prince of the demons who also granted help to drop Danye near the
mountain that grants super natural power, (Daura, 1971, p. 68).
3.7 The
Mountain and the Old Man
The encounter with the old man is also major task for he
must grant him permission and the spell that opens the entrance to the
mountain. He obeys the old man’s instruction to come back after two days. Malam
Danye waited until the required time to return. The old man instructed him on
what to do. Mallam Danye crept quietly into the mountain. He keeps on going
until he reaches a place where he metall ghosts and kiss and hugged them as
instructed by the old man, Daura, 1971,
p. 69). This is like a battle; he fought the real battle in the mountain by not
fearing what he saw with all his courage. He enters the other mountain and
continues to follow the old man’s instruction and acquired the supernatural
power and becomes the most powerful person on earth who won many wars and
accomplished his mission to steal the girl he was instructed to steal.
4.0 Discussion
The discussion based on the heroic nature of Bilbo Baggins
and Mallam Danye in the Hobbit and Tauraruwar Hamada reveals that numerous
forms of antihero actions are present in both the books analyzed. Chance and
Siewers (2005) state that “Tolkien
fantasy is indeed subversive in its portrayal of heroes as antiheroes through
his elevation of such figures to heroic stature” (p. 10). Both Tolkien and
Ahmed depicts heroes differently from known fantasy heroes like the Beowulf or
Arthur who are capable of facing any challenging confrontation. However, Bilbo
and Mallam Danye are made into heroes because of their ability to handle
problems that they come across without engaging into a real fight. A hero is
characterized by what Margery Hourihan (1997) states that:
A hero leaves the civilize order of home to venture into the
wilderness in the suit of his goal. The wilderness may be a forest, a fantasy
land or another planet...the hero encounters a series of difficulties and is
threatened by dangerous opponents. The hero overcomes these opponents because
he is strong, brave...determined to succeed. He achieved his goal, which may be
golden riches. (p. 9).
In every hero and heroine story, the hero leaves home to go
for the adventure. Although Bilbo Baggins is a reluctant adventurer who is not
willing to leave his home, but Bilbo Baggins’ adventure was arranged by the
wizard Gandolf who sent thirteen dwarves to his house. Unlike fantasy heroes
who willingly leave their home to pursue their adventure. The dwarves think
that Bilbo is not the right person to be a burglar, but Gandalf assured them
that he made the right choice by choosing Bilbo. Having heard the dwarves
talking about the adventure and the dangers involved in it, Bilbo got
frightened and let the dwarves know that he is not the right person for the
adventure. On the other hand, out of curiosity, he wants to know more about the
adventure. Eventually, Bilbo leaves home to go with the thirteen dwarves for
the journey. In contrast, Mallam Danye willingly
leaves home to pursue his quest. Having heard the king plans about the
adventure and the dangers involved in it, Mallam Danye was not frightened he
feels he is the right person for the adventure and sought for extra help Daura
(1971, p. 9). An encounter with difficulties or a threat by other creatures is
common among heroic fantasy stories. Bilbo and Mallam Danye meet with different
creatures that are of great threat to their lives as their journey begins. Bilbo
and Mallam Danye come upon difficulties and creatures that are of threat while
others are of help to them. Bilbo met with creatures such as elves of
Rivendell, Beorn, eagles and the people of the Long Lake who have offer help to
them while the hostile creatures that threaten him are Trolls, Goblins, Gollum
(for Bilbo), the spiders and wood-elves of Mirkwood as well as the dragon
Smaug. On the other hand, Mallam Danye met with ’Yan Hari, Sarki, giants and
gets assistance from snake, demons and old man. When they come upon these
creatures, they struggle tremendously before accomplishing their quest. The
heroes’ encounter with creatures and hardship are very vital in fantasy
stories. It is through the encounter that the hero develops and transforms into
a hero. Bilbo’s encounters with the creatures, particularly in the Mirkwood
forest transform him into a hero. Throughout the journey, he develops,
especially after Gandalf left them. He has grown to be courageous and brave. He
met Gollum alone and saved himself without much difficulty. He single-handedly
rescues the dwarves from danger in the Mirkwood forest. This prepared Bilbo
when he finally meets the dragon. Similarly, if we look at Mallam Danye, his
encounters with hardship and some creatures’ change him into a hero. He saved
himself from groups of thieves; he rescued himself and his friend when they
were caged by the giants. He rescued them from been killed by Jamilatul Uhra’s
husband and became the giant snakes friend. It is only a person with great
bravery and courage who can do that. Hourihan (1997)
states that “The hero is a man of action, and it is in action that expresses
his nature, skill, courage, dominance and determination” (p. 96), this quality
is not applied to Bilbo and Mallam Danye, for Tolkien and Daura made them
different from other heroes. They are unable to fight like most fantasy heroes,
but through their courage, bravery, maturation and development, Bilbo and
Mallam Danye become heroes. Both Bilbo’s and Mallam Danyes quest follows the
structure of a fantasy hero quest. The quest for the dragon gold was the
primary theme of the story of The Hobbit,
while the quest to steal a beautiful woman was also the main theme in
Tauraruwar Hamada which makes the two narratives a fantasy story as well. According
to Hourihan (1997) “the hero story takes the form of a journey” (p. 46),
Bilbo’s journey takes him away from home into the world and comes back home
again after a great adventure. But often Bilbo craves for his house and food
during the journey which is unlike other fantasy heroes whose desire is to
achieve their goal. Mallam Danyes journey takes him far away from home and
returns home after accomplishing his mission. But Mallam Danye sometimes
regrets why he takes the journey especially if he encounters hardships which is
unlike fantasy heroes. Hourihan (1997) states that “a hero may be the leader of
a group of adventurers” (p. 9), at the
beginning Bilbo is not recognized as a leader, but as the story progresses
Bilbo proves to the group through the challenges that they encountered during
their journey to be their leader, especially towards the end of the story. The
dwarves begin to respect him and listen to what he says. In contrast, Mallam
Danye begins his journey alone but later met his companion that always regards
him as his leader. Hourihan (1997) further states
that “a quest hero achieves his goal and is rewarded. Often, this means that he
attains a treasure which he brings back to his home”
(p. 51). Bilbo achieved his goal of the journey that took him to the
Lonely Mountain by getting the gold, and he was rewarded by getting two boxes
of gold and silver
Tolkien (2007 p. 266).
Mallam Danye achieved his goal of the journey by bringing the beauty to
Langeri, and he was rewarded by becoming king, (Daura, 1971, p. 72).
The Hobbit and Tauraruwar Hamada follow the narrative of the
fantasy story with its style in the representation of its character and
characterization.
Jonathan (1991) argues that “Bilbo’s heroism consists in his wit not in his might” (p.13-34). He uses this as great deal when facing the dragon, Smaug.
Mallam Danye also does not have the size and strength of fantasy heroes. Bilbo
and Mallam Danye are not heroes from the start; they fit into the category of
antiheroes. Their sizes and particularly their behaviours are quite different
from great heroes like Beowulf or Sir Gawain, but ‘in The Hobbit and in Bilbo
Baggins Tolkien creates a new heroism and a new hero.’ Correspondingly Ahmed
Daura produced a new hero that never existed before. Bilbo and Mallam Danye
develop all through their adventure and with each encounter of the creatures
and hardships they meet along on their way; they become courageous and do the
things they would not have done in the past. They learnt many things during the
adventure though the ring assumes a crucial part of Bilbo’s growth as a hero
and Mallam Danyes acquiring super natural power in the mountain also presume a
vital role of Danyes development as a protagonist because it replaces the body
strength which they do not have. However, it is their character that have
developed and not their body. Ordinarily, they cannot have confrontation with
either animals or humans and when they do that, it shows their courage. The
courage they represent is not the type depicted in most fantasy stories. They
make good decisions as to good and bad in a difficult circumstance, make plans
with no help from any individuals who ought to be their companions and do it
alone. Purtill (1984) states that:
by the growth of a hero: they experience certain risks and
dangers that permit their changing experience Tolkien makes Bilbo’s increasing
courage plausible in two ways. First by showing us its cause and second by
reminding us of Bilbo’s limitations, his empty stomach...loneness ...the
idealized heroes of fantasies never seem to worry about such ordinary
things...because of Bilbo’s ordinariness...ordinary people can act heroically.
(p. 4).
According to Torodov (1975) “the fantasy genre allows the
depiction of a fantasy universe, one that has no reality” (p.
92), Tolkien’s and understanding of a lot of traditional and oral literature
enable them to create their own fantasy world. These include all types of
creatures, supernatural beings and heroes that they produce from their
imagination. Todorov (1975) “fantastic elements are utilized in stories to
produce particular effects on the reader such as fear or horror or simply to
arouse interest which other genres cannot incite” (p.92), the action of the
dragon, people, in the mountain, demons, giants can invoke fear or curiosity in the
reader. Both stories ended with war theme even though Bilbo does not
participate much in battle but Tolkien created a five army who fought
vehemently over the treasure likewise Daura created varied war fought and won
by Mallam Danye.
5.0 Conclusion
In
conclusion, this paper has examined the heroic nature of European and Hausa
fantasy stories. It was found that similarity exist in Hausa and European
pattern of fantasy story. The most common elements that are similar in the
story are journey theme, encounter with creatures and hardship. Other fantasy
elements are the generic elements such as supernatural beings that can talk,
mountains, gaining super natural powers which help the hero to accomplish his
mission. The story is characterized so as to achieve the position of a hero.
Although, Bilbo and Mallam Danye are not a common myth's heroes; they are a
kind of heroes who are clumsy from the start but gradually develop which
happens throughout their adventures and they eventually develop into some heroes
which places the story of the Hobbit and Tauraruwar Hamada and Hobbit and
Mallam Danye perfectly well into Fantasy genre. The paper concludes that
perhaps it is due to the effect of colonialism on African culture, the European
fantasy story influenced the Hausa fantasy stories.
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