The Hobbit - Meeting Someone New

[Valandil]

I've just recently noticed how gradually JRRT introduces us to all manner of creatures in The Hobbit. Now - in chapter 1, we meet a Hobbit, a Wizard and just over a dozen Dwarves. But this all happens pretty much one at a time. First - introduces us to Bilbo and tells us what a Hobbit is. Then, he introduces us to Gandalf and tells us something about him before he starts interacting with Bilbo. Then, we meet the Dwarves... largely one or two at a time (especially at first) - sort of like Gandalf has them come into Beorn's presence.

JRRT clearly doesn't want to overwhelm us with too many strange, new creatures all at once.

But then look what happens. One at a time, he introduces yet one more new "person" or group of "people" in each chapter. Something like:

1. Hobbits, Wizard, Dwarves,
2. Trolls
3. Elrond / Elves of Rivendell
4. Goblins
5. Gollum
6. Eagles (well... also Wargs, right?)
7. Beorn
8. Spiders of Mirkwood
9. Elves of Mirkwood
10. Men of Long Lake / Laketown
11. (anybody new this chapter... the Thrush?)
12. Smaug

I just find this interesting, how he leads us to them one at a time.