The settings in the book are essential for development of the characters in the novel and their relationships with each other.Tolkien writes that "the cliffs on Lonely Mountain are tall and grim, and that danger lurks in every rock". In addition to being dangerous and scary, the mountain is a fortress that looks impossible to enter. The language used in the chapter creates a sense of fear, suspense and threat as, once again, the travelers find that they have to rely on Bilbo to retrieve the Arkenstone. Just as Smaug, the dragon greedily guards his treasure, Thorin and the other dwarves reveal how greedily they want to get it. The dark winding tunnels and the Battle of Five Armies make Lonely Mountain the complete opposite of the Shire, showing to readers how much Bilbo has changed over time. This chapter shows characters in a new light.
