Final answer:
Characters drive the plot through their decisions and actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the story The Hobbit, the element of character plays a significant role in influencing the events of the plot. Characters drive the plot through their decisions and actions. For example, the main character Bilbo Baggins' journey, his encounters with different creatures like Gollum and Smaug, and his transformation from a timid hobbit to a brave adventurer shape the plot of the story. Therefore, option a) Characters drive the plot through their decisions and actions is the correct answer.