Origin of species (at least the hobbits) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

07-25-2004, 05:03 PM

"and abnormally, for humans, free from ambition or greed of wealth. "

I think that it is interesting that Tolkien should say that. It seems that he is saying that Hobbits are completely free from ambition or greed of wealth. I wonder if this is a characteristic that he decided to change...because Hobbits are decidedly NOT free from these things, they just experience them to a lesser degree than the race of men.

For example when Bilbo is talking to Smaug, Smaug uses Dragon Speech to make Bilbo think the Dwarves are going to stiff him on the treasure...and this actullay alarms Bilbo.

Then there are all the Baggins relatives that hang about searching for Bilbo's treasure after he disappears @ his birthday party.

There are many instances like this. Perhaps Tolkien just meant that they are MORE FREE from greed than men, but he just didn't make that clear in the language he used in that particular letter.

-Mirabella

07-25-2004, 05:03 PM	#1
MirabellaTook Guest Posts: n/a	"and abnormally, for humans, free from ambition or greed of wealth. " I think that it is interesting that Tolkien should say that. It seems that he is saying that Hobbits are completely free from ambition or greed of wealth. I wonder if this is a characteristic that he decided to change...because Hobbits are decidedly NOT free from these things, they just experience them to a lesser degree than the race of men. For example when Bilbo is talking to Smaug, Smaug uses Dragon Speech to make Bilbo think the Dwarves are going to stiff him on the treasure...and this actullay alarms Bilbo. Then there are all the Baggins relatives that hang about searching for Bilbo's treasure after he disappears @ his birthday party. There are many instances like this. Perhaps Tolkien just meant that they are MORE FREE from greed than men, but he just didn't make that clear in the language he used in that particular letter. -Mirabella