 The Tolkien scholar Paul H. Kocher writes that Tolkien characterises Dwarves as having the "cardinal sin of 'possessiveness'", seen sharply when Bard the Bowman makes what Bilbo feels is a fair offer for a share of Smaug's treasure, and Thorin flatly refuses, his "dwarfish lust for gold fevered by brooding on the dragon's hoard".The Jesuit John L. Treloar, writing in "Mythlore", suggests that Tolkien, a Catholic, explores the seven deadly sins in his Middle-earth writings.He states that in "The Hobbit", both Smaug and Thorin exemplify avarice, but respond to it differently.