How do the people of Laketown treat the dwarves and Bilbo?
In J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, "The Hobbit," the people of Laketown initially treat the dwarves and Bilbo with suspicion and skepticism. When the thirteen dwarves and Bilbo first arrive in Laketown, the Master of the town and some of its inhabitants see them as beggars and dismiss their mission to reclaim Erebor (the Lonely Mountain) from the dragon Smaug as foolish and unlikely to succeed.
However, after the dwarves and Bilbo successfully slay the dragon, the people of Laketown's opinion of them drastically changes. They are seen as heroes and saviors, with their leader Thorin Oakenshield being hailed as the rightful king and the town's gratitude leading to a newfound respect for dwarves and Bilbo.
However, this positive view of the dwarves and Bilbo becomes complicated when Thorin, driven by his obsession with the treasure of Erebor, becomes mistrustful and greedy. This leads to conflicts between the dwarves and the men of Laketown, resulting in a battle known as the Battle of Five Armies. Ultimately, the people of Laketown play a significant role in supporting the elves and men against the dwarves during this conflict, indicating their change of opinion and allegiance.