A mysterious world full of adventures was created by a man known by the name of John Ronald Tolkien. He populated this mysterious world with beings such as elves, dwarves and hobbits. This world was born in the field of literature and has been esteemed by many, and criticized by others. His story remains one of the best created pieces of literature to date. Many events throughout JRR Tolkien's life had an impact on his writing, such as his interest in philology, his life as an orphan, and his service in the First World War. According to Harold Bloom in Bloom's Literature, Tolkien had been interested in philology since his early teens, an interest that led him to encounter Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon mythology. Anglo-Saxon mythology shows up in many ways in The Hobbit. “…an old man with a stick. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long gray cloak, a silver scarf over which his long white beard fell to his waist, and immense black boots. (The Hobbit, p. 13) This description of Gandalf appears to bear a very close resemblance to the Anglo-Saxon god, Odin, who was often depicted as an old man wearing a long cloak, with a long white beard. Gandalf also brings help to Bilbo along the way, as Odin did to the great heroes. Another piece of Anglo-Saxon mythology comes from the story of Beowulf. Toward the end of the Beowulf story, a thief steals a golden cup from a dragon, angering it and seeking the destruction of the creature that might have taken it. (Elements of Literature, p. 42) Under almost identical circumstances, Bilbo sneaks up on a sleeping dragon and steals a large golden cup from beneath him. (The Hobbit, page 185)Following Tolkien's passion for philology, he was very interested in language... middle of paper... his experience as an orphan and his participation in the Battle of the Somme. Regardless of the influence on his writing, Tolkien is by far one of the best authors of the 20th century. Works Cited Stade, George and Karen Karbiener. "Tolkien, JRR" Bloom's Literature. File Web Facts, Inc.. November 20, 2013. Bloom, Harold, ed. "Tolkien, JRR" Bloom's Literature. File Web Facts, Inc.. November 20, 2013.Gaydosik, Victoria. "Tolkien, JRR" Bloom's Literature. File, Inc. Web Facts. November 20, 2013. Tolkein, JRR The Hobbit. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973. Print.