Ancient British cultures reflected in ME - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Anne S · 09-18-2003, 05:20 AM

To me the Hobbits appear to be Victorian or Edwardian. When Tolkien describes Bilbo's departure from Bag End and his leaving gifts, some of the contents of his hobbit hole are items that would be commonly found in a middle-class Victorian household, such as the umbrella stand, the bookcase, sets of silver spoons, the waste paper basket. Pre-Victorian era these items would have only been found in the households of the elite upper-classes, while Bilbo was much more middle-class/country squire. Also, taking time out for afternoon tea, a favoured past time of the hobbits, really came about in Victorian times when due to industrialization, wealth was filtered down through the masses and more people could afford such a luxury. Again before Queen Victoria's reign, only the wealthy upper-classes had the leisure time and the money to relax with an afternoon meal and cup of tea. Makes sense considering Tolkien was born in the Victorian era and could probably easily relate to how the hobbits lived.

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09-18-2003, 05:20 AM	#28
Anne S Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 19	To me the Hobbits appear to be Victorian or Edwardian. When Tolkien describes Bilbo's departure from Bag End and his leaving gifts, some of the contents of his hobbit hole are items that would be commonly found in a middle-class Victorian household, such as the umbrella stand, the bookcase, sets of silver spoons, the waste paper basket. Pre-Victorian era these items would have only been found in the households of the elite upper-classes, while Bilbo was much more middle-class/country squire. Also, taking time out for afternoon tea, a favoured past time of the hobbits, really came about in Victorian times when due to industrialization, wealth was filtered down through the masses and more people could afford such a luxury. Again before Queen Victoria's reign, only the wealthy upper-classes had the leisure time and the money to relax with an afternoon meal and cup of tea. Makes sense considering Tolkien was born in the Victorian era and could probably easily relate to how the hobbits lived.