Here's why:
* Time of Year: The story begins in spring and ends in autumn, indicating that the journey spans multiple seasons.
* Day and Night Cycles: The book describes various events that occur during both day and night. For example, Bilbo encounters Gollum in the dark, and the dwarves travel through forests and mountains under both the sun and the moon.
* Specific Mentions: The text explicitly mentions events happening in the morning, afternoon, evening, and at night.
Therefore, it's not accurate to say the journey takes place exclusively at night. It's a long and varied journey with a mix of day and night experiences.
Symbolic Night:
While the journey isn't strictly nocturnal, there are symbolic elements of darkness:
* The Unknown: The journey takes Bilbo into unknown and dangerous territories, often shrouded in darkness, both literally and figuratively.
* Inner Journey: The darkness can also represent Bilbo's internal struggles with fear, doubt, and his own limitations, which he confronts throughout the journey.
Overall, the journey in The Hobbit takes place during both day and night, with darkness playing a significant role in the narrative's symbolism.