A hundredth re-read of the LotR

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

As to Hobbits singing of adventure - maybe they do this instead of going on them? In much the same way I like reading travel books but I haven't got a passport because I'm not going to go anywhere? I am growing more like a Hobbit every day

I wonder if the Three Farthing Stone was put there by Hobbits or was there already? If it was already in situ then the Hobbits must have formed their administrative boundaries around it, which is pretty cool.

I suspect that Hobbits who publicly sang any song written by Bilbo (such as this one) would be looked upon rather like someone today singing off-color ditties in public: not really respectable and someone to be frowned upon. Or drunk.

And I suppose the origins of the Three Farthing Stone would depend on how big it is. If it's small, the Hobbits might have put it up themselves, but if it's large, I might think it was a remnant of Men or Elves who once lived in or traveled through that part of Eriador. I tend to like the latter possibility better, because it would be in keeping with the practical nature of Hobbits to make use of something they found that was unique, and would also indicate that not all Hobbits are (or perhaps Hobbits weren't always) so insular that they fear all things that have the faintest whiff of the world outside the Shire.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

And I suppose the origins of the Three Farthing Stone would depend on how big it is. If it's small, the Hobbits might have put it up themselves, but if it's large, I might think it was a remnant of Men or Elves who once lived in or traveled through that part of Eriador. I tend to like the latter possibility better, because it would be in keeping with the practical nature of Hobbits to make use of something they found that was unique, and would also indicate that not all Hobbits are (or perhaps Hobbits weren't always) so insular that they fear all things that have the faintest whiff of the world outside the Shire.

Hobbits were definitely not always so insular as they must have at one time travelled a long way to find their new lands. Though having once found such a thoroughly pleasant place, who could blame them for wanting to stay put?

I'm going to have to look up some books and see what I can find about the Three Farthing Stone, if anything! It must have formed an interesting contrast with the memorial to the Battle of Bywater. Which makes me think about the real life village near Stonyhurst, Bolton-by-Bowland which is about as close to Hobbiton as you are likely to ever get and has a war memorial on the green near the remains of an ancient cross...

...I'm rambling again

Originally Posted by Lommy

I think Gildor's merriness and even occasional silliness is rather refreshing after all the proud and serious Noldorin lords. (Don't get me wrong though, they are one of my favourites nevertheless. ) I think he actually illustrates rather well the two sides of how the Elves seem to mortals: the tra-lal-lal-ly side and the noble and serious side. Almost all other Elves in Tolkien's writing are just either of these types but Gildor is a healthy (and credibly written!) mixture of them both. I guess that's why I like him so much.

Yes! I always laugh at the Elves here as they seem so much more like the light-hearted Elves we meet in The Hobbit. My serious mind thinks that this was Tolkien attempting to make a 'bridge' between the silly Hobbit Elves and the serious Rings Elves. My silly side thinks maybe Gildor's party were wandering around as they couldn't have much of a laugh with Elrond