There and Back Again

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Mithadan

But "home" is not the same and can never be entirely made what it once was. This reminds me of the Odyssey.

"Home" can seen unchanged if the person coming back is unchanged as well, but as noted, neither Bilbo nor Frodo were the same person as when they left.

Bilbo was certainly the less negatively affected by his experiences, so we see him living in apparent contentment for many years after his return. The Ring's effects on him were very gradual.