Tony Meade
Active Member
SESSION 53
Comment on Hobbit aristocracy:
Comment on Hobbit aristocracy:
- Sam seems to have an innate common sense, whereas the aristocratic hobbits need to be taught to be wary through experience.
- Note: This sort of anti-aristocratic parody is something that has an appeal to Americans.
- Sam, being less sheltered or pampered, has more practical experience and knowledge.
- The three aristocratic hobbits have been influenced by Bilbo and are more open to the outside world and to adventure than mainstream hobbits or the older generations.
- The point is that however open they are in theory; they don’t have any real-world experience simply because they are hobbits. They don’t really know what to do in the face of danger.
- Part of the reason that Sam holds back in comparison to the other three is that as a working-class hobbit, he won’t put himself forward in the way the higher-class hobbits might.
- Is Tolkien critical of the concept of aristocracy? Not specifically. Even when people who are aristocratic behave badly, he is critical of behavior, not of their position.
- In Tolkien’s writings, his criticism is of a leader’s character, not necessarily their qualifications.
- Tolkien also follows the mythic significance of aristocracy, not it’s practical failures.
- Is there an example of a democracy in Middle-earth? No, as Lake-town is an oligarchy and the Shire is primarily an anarchy. The Master is chosen by the wealthy, and the Mayor has no power.
- Do the chief families hold sway in their lands in the Shire? Probably only within the families, but, for example, the Tooks could not make or enforce decrees over other families in the Tookland.
- There are Shirriffs, but no Sherriff (Shire reeve) in the Shire. When Lotho appoints himself the Chief Shirriff, this is a breach of hobbit culture and tradition.
- Tolkien is not interested in the political consequences of nobility, but rather the mythic concepts, which comes from medieval ideas of the roots of nobility in their characters.
- The debate between inherent nobility and inherited nobility was fierce in the Middle Ages.
- Frodo has already had two conversations with Strider, but Pippin may not have even noticed Strider before he appears in the hobbits’ parlor, which explains his surprise.
- Note: The exclamation point at the sight of Strider is another personal intrusion by the narrator.
- The corridors of the Prancing Pony are likely completely dark, so it would have been easy for Strider to follow and enter unseen behind them.
- Apparently, Strider can walk even quieter than the hobbits, in order to be stealthy to them.
- Strider hints that he thinks that Frodo was trying to get away with not having their conversation.
- By using the term “called Strider” he is acknowledging the fact that this is not his real name and drawing attention to the fact that he is not sharing his real name with them either.
- There are probably man-sized chairs in the parlor, and Strider is sitting on one of those. Butterbur says that he has hobbit-sized bedrooms, but maybe not hobbit-only parlors.
- The parlor is a separate dining room from the common room, but not part of their rooms.
- Frodo seems to be trying to hurry on the conversation so that he can move Strider along.
- Gandalf has cultivated a relationship with Butterbur, but this does not extend to Strider, as he has been tasked with keeping his own existence as the royal heir a secret.
- Note: The term “Ranger” is term of contempt in Bree, like a vagabond, but this term has been co-opted as a warrior class in RPG’s, which has undermined what Butterbur means by it.
- Why does Strider say that he has his price? Is this a test of the hobbits, or a lesson for them? What reaction is he hoping for, and what would failing the test look like?
- Strider may intend to have Frodo take him on as a guide, but by approaching it in this way, he is more likely to put Frodo off.
- Strider pointedly does not mention an offer to help or their need for his help. He implies that he may want to leave them at some point and is not committed to them or their cause.
- He also does not offer to lead them anywhere; rather he only offers to come along with them.
- For his test, failure would be the hobbits trusting too easy, but also distrusting completely.
- This test is in line with the character that he plays in Bree, which is purposely distrustful.
- Strider could be playing games with the hobbits, but that seems out of character for him and for the gravity of the situation.
- If Strider leads with his friendship with Gandalf, that may make the hobbits more suspicious.
- Rather, Strider plays along with his reputation as a rogue to ease them along.
- Strider may also be afraid that these hobbits are spies of the Riders to trap him. There are hobbits, even within the Shire, like Sandyman, who might take that offer, so it’s not impossible.
- Strider must be confident enough that these are the hobbits he’s looking for based on his conversation with Tom Bombadil and Frodo’s disappearance.