Who's your favourite hobbit...

[Lyta_Underhill]

Hey! Why doesn't anybody seem to like Pippin? He's all but been forgotten in this poll! Sure, he can be annoying, but I think Gandalf is just too easily annoyed! And who wouldn't want to splash some water around after a narrow escape from Black Riders in the dark of one's own homeland? I didn't see anyone else cleaning it up for him! Plus, he guided Frodo and Sam most expertly through parts of the Shire they couldn't possibly have navigated so well if it hadn't been for the nimble feet and mind of Mr. Peregrin Took! And let's not forget his easy social grace with Farmer Maggot, that kept Frodo from becoming dog food! He may be impulsive, but I think in this he is a more human reflection of Gandalf himself--allowing and causing things to be without a clear reason for them and yet this trait opens new ways and moves great events. Pippin is the upright Fool who becomes the Knight who lightly steps in this world (even laughing a little ere the end...) Even Gandalf said that Pippin SAVED him from a great danger and folly with his Palantir hijinks! And he grows up soon enough and well enough during the War of the Ring to emerge as a stouthearted hero in his own right, one who has great support in the Shire and a way with everyone he meets! Plus, he's cheerful! Look how depressed Merry and Frodo and Sam all become near the end of the War, just because Pippin isn't there to cheer them up!

Now why has everyone forgotten my dear Peregrin Took? And even added hobbits not on the list instead of realizing that Pippin is there, overlooked.

I have enjoyed this rant once again, as I seem to cheer myself up by going on about the merits of the youngest Fellowship member...he has, in recent times (let's say the last few years), alternated with Frodo as my favorite. But since no one has spoken up for him, I thought I'd have a go!

Cheers!
Lyta

P.S. I notice he's got votes, but I had not seen anyone explaining why they liked him! Blame my bad eyesight and hasty ways!

P.P.S.: I notice the Frodo seems to be losing this poll. Does everyone think he's just a tragic hero? I rather think of him as a dreamer who really appreciates the things he has and loves the Shire and woods that surround him! Real Elvish-like, as Sam might say....a seeker after beauty. In other words, a hobbit after my own heart! A pity that stupid Ring keeps people from liking him as well!

P.P.P.S: Haven't voted yet, but still trying to weigh the nature of my affections--similar but different...it is hard to pick a favorite Hobbit! I love them all! (Maybe I'm Gandalf? Hardly!)

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I've been thinking about this poll, and mumbling on to myself about the problematic task of having to pick a favorite out of the lot. But once past all the grumbling I kept coming back to Sam. I won't go on about specific qualities of his, as it would be highly subjective, (I have a weakness for long suffering characters who don't take themselves too seriously), but Sam was the one hobbit whose presence stayed with me long after I had finished reading the story: a sort of heroic personage of the type you actually meet now and again. And if I could be half the hobbit he was, (and I don't mean stature) well then, I would be very content.

[Folwren]

Yay for Hilde Bracegirdle!!

Edit: I didn't vote for Peregrin merely for the fact that he's not my favorite. He's a dear hobbit, to be sure, and I'm sure everyone loves him, even though they say otherwise on this thread sometimes.

And it was a hard choice for be to pick either Frodo or Sam. As you have probably noticed, I decided on Sam, but Frodo was almost it. Don't worry - Frodo wasn't forgotten, even though the poll may make it appear so.

[The Saucepan Man]

Personally, I like my Hobbits "Hobbity" and Frodo (while most definately a most admirable Hobbit) is, by the end, rather too "unwordly" to get my vote. Perhaps that's the reason for his relatively poor showing in the poll (I'm sure that he would top many others).

Of the "Fellowship Hobbits", I would have voted for Pippin, for many of the reasons that Lyta so eloquently stated. His innocence, sense of humour and curiosity are appealing and his transition from "young innocent abroad" to Gondorian warrior is a great aspect of the story.

But my first introduction to Tolkien was courtesy of Bilbo, when I first read The Hobbit many many years ago, and I probably identify most with him of all the characters in either the Hobbit or LotR (with the possible exception of Butterbur ). So its Bilbo who gest my vote.

[Kath]

I do love Bilbo and he will always have a special place in my affections as he was the first Hobbit I ever discovered and the one that introduced me to the wonders of Tolkien. He was also quite a resourceful little fellow with his plans for getting the Dwarves out of the Elf-kings cellars and for making peace between the Dwarves and the Men. He was completely out of place in their world and still made the best of it, and he remained a Hobbit throughout, always on the look-out for rest and food!

Frodo I found was just not a Hobbit anymore by the end after all that he had been through. He saw the world with a sadness that should just not be inherent in Hobbit's. He was wise and kind and courageous but was always to me the distant hero that you admired but did not connect with.

Sam I found the more down-to-earth and available of the hero's. And he was heroic, he just did it all with Hobbit sense and love for his master. Regardless of TGWBS' views on his later political career he did do the Shire a great service with his gift from Galadriel and he helped to keep the stories alive.

Merry annoyed me at the beginning of the books. It wasn't really until Bree that I began to like him, but by the charge of the Rohirrim he was a beloved character who I wanted to see make it through. His part in the destruction of the Witch King again makes him a hero, and again one of the more accessible ones.

Pippin however I have always had a soft spot for. He is just the perfect Hobbit and sweet and innocent with it. His experience with war and the Palantir changed him in no way for the worse and he still retained his Hobbitness through it all. He was always there to cheer people up and even Gandalf couldn't help but love him by the end. He saved Faramir and Merry and took part in the battle before Mordor even if he did do a Bilbo and passed out before the end.

So I think I'm going to have to go with Pippin.

[WaynetheGoblin]

I like bilbo he is smart and short like me

[Turgon Philip Noldor]

I say Frodo. Frodo was always my favorite Hobbit, though Merry comes very closely in second. I think It might be because Frodo has to go through so much sorrow and pain, or because Frodo seems to be isolated from the rest of the real world. He always seems to be in another place, he is alone. For some reason I really like that (not that he goes through pain, mind you). So I will pick Frodo....