Hobbit Ages Chart, B2MEM

[dreamflower]

I recently got a query from lily_the_hobbit about the way I come up with the age differential between Hobbits and Men. I have shared this chart before, but I've never posted it on my LJ. I am quite aware that not everyone agrees with the two-thirds ratio, and unless one has access to JRRT's Letters, all the evidence for it is not in LotR. However, there are a rather large contingent of us who *do* agree with that formula, so perhaps those writers will find this somewhat useful.

The chart and the explanatory material first appeared on the PippinHealers e-list, which accounts for the way the explanation is worded. It followed on from a discussion of the issue of Hobbit ages.



After I posted my query on hobbit ages, I took the wonderful formula posted by Topaz Took, using .64 and my calculator, and made this little chart, which perhaps others might find somewhat useful. I rounded off the ages, although where I give a range it is because it is close enough to go up or down. Again, this will be only for physical ages, and of course each author is free to make his or her own assumptions about mental, emotional, cultural and social ages.
I hope this is helpful.

 
Hobbit Years = “Man” Years
1 year    =      about 8 months 
2 years   =      about 13-14 months 
3 years   =       about 18-20 months 
4 years   =      2 to 2 ½ years
5 years   =      3 years
6 years   =      3 ½ - 4 years
7 years   =      4 ½ - 5 years
8 years   =      5 years
9 years   =      5 ½ - 6 years
10 years  =      6 ½ years
11 years  =      7 years
12 years  =      7 ½ - 8 years
13 years  =      8 years
14 years  =      8 ½ years
15 years  =      9 years
16 years  =      10 years
17 years  =      11 years
18 years  =      12 years
19 years  =      12 ½ years
20 years  =      13 years
21 years  =      13 ½ years
22 years  =      14 years
23 years  =      14 ½ years
24 years  =      15 years
25 years  =      16 years
26 years  =      16 ½ years
27 years  =      17 years
28 years  =      18 years
29 years  =      18 ½ years
30 years  =      19 years
31 years  =      20 years
32 years  =      20 ½ years
33 years  =      21 years
40 years  =      25 ½ years
50 years  =      32 years
60 years  =      38 ½ years
70 years  =      45 years
80 years  =      51 years
90 years  =      58 years
100 years =      64 years
111 years =      71 years
130 years =      83 years



I hope this is helpful to others.

Comments

[shirebound]

Cool. What a great resource.

[dreamflower]

Glad you like it, and hope it's useful!

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is just perfect! Thanks for posting it. I see, it is indeed very similar to the chart I use, only more accuarate :)

I shall save it and use it for future wee!hobbit stories :)

[dreamflower]

Well, it was your question got me to finally post it. I'm glad that you will be able to use it.

[charlietudor.livejournal.com]

I haven't gone by that in THoU at all. I'm in the roughly-equivalent camp. In my reckoning, Hobbits are just a helluva lot smarter than us and put off responsibility a few more years. ;D

[isil-elensar.livejournal.com]

I am too. :-) The same with the age 'difference' between Elves and Men. Age is age no matter who you're talking about, it's really all in the maturity levels, I think. *shrug*

My two bits...

[dreamflower]

*grin* As I've said, loads of people don't go by it. Although I do happen, IMHO, to think that it's sort of what the old professor had in mind, I confess it's partially personal preference as well--I love to think of the hobbits having a lovely extended childhood. And it certainly doesn't keep me from enjoying fics where the authors don't go by it!