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dreamflowerContinuing my series of quotes about Tolkien and Middle-earth from various sources:
Today’s quote is from The Mythology of Middle-earth by Ruth S. Noel, an interesting little book which explores the mythical background of Tolkien‘s world:
“The hobbits hold a unique position among the peoples of The Lord of the Rings. They are Tolkien’s individual idea rather than a people out of mythology, and they live by a set of very human ideals in contrast to the glorified lives of the Wise, the Elves and the Dúnedain.
The hobbits have the universal appeal of little things. They live a simple, satisfying provincial life close to the land. They are self-indulgent, childlike, but self-sufficient. Their power lies in an unexpected ability to withstand evil.
The human nature of the hobbits is far more evident than that of the heroic men in the story. The hobbit view maintains a humble, human, familiar tone in a story that would otherwise be sonorous, serious, and unapproachable.
Hobbits become heroes unexpectedly, and for this reason are all the more appealing. Fate chooses the hobbits rather than choosing the wise and powerful, and the hobbits accept the role, surprised that they do so. On the whole Frodo’s heroism was not in valiant deeds such as his cousin Bilbo’s, even those of Samwise. His heroism lay in the acceptance of an almost impossible task, the endurance to continue in the face of unexpected obstacles, and the ability to resist the power of the Ring.”
Today’s quote is from The Mythology of Middle-earth by Ruth S. Noel, an interesting little book which explores the mythical background of Tolkien‘s world:
“The hobbits hold a unique position among the peoples of The Lord of the Rings. They are Tolkien’s individual idea rather than a people out of mythology, and they live by a set of very human ideals in contrast to the glorified lives of the Wise, the Elves and the Dúnedain.
The hobbits have the universal appeal of little things. They live a simple, satisfying provincial life close to the land. They are self-indulgent, childlike, but self-sufficient. Their power lies in an unexpected ability to withstand evil.
The human nature of the hobbits is far more evident than that of the heroic men in the story. The hobbit view maintains a humble, human, familiar tone in a story that would otherwise be sonorous, serious, and unapproachable.
Hobbits become heroes unexpectedly, and for this reason are all the more appealing. Fate chooses the hobbits rather than choosing the wise and powerful, and the hobbits accept the role, surprised that they do so. On the whole Frodo’s heroism was not in valiant deeds such as his cousin Bilbo’s, even those of Samwise. His heroism lay in the acceptance of an almost impossible task, the endurance to continue in the face of unexpected obstacles, and the ability to resist the power of the Ring.”