Who's your favourite hobbit... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Hilde Bracegirdle · 07-26-2005, 10:26 AM

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 · 07-26-2005, 11:48 AM

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** · 07-26-2005, 05:04 PM

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 · 07-27-2005, 05:57 AM

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 · 07-27-2005, 06:15 AM

I like bilbo he is smart and short like me

Turgon Philip Noldor · 08-03-2005, 12:58 AM

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....

the guy who be short · 08-03-2005, 10:09 AM

I'm afraid I must bring the ultimate punishment down on Samwise Gamgee for daring to challenge Bilbo.

Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 246

Quote:

Sam...Some readers he irritates and even infuriates. I can well understand it... Sam can be very 'trying'. He is a more representative hobbit than any others that we have to see much of; and he has consequently a stronger ingredient of that quality which even some hobbits found at times hard to bear: a vulgarity... a mental myopia which is proud of itself, a smugness... and cocksureness...
Sam was cocksure, and... conceited... his service and loyalty to his master... had an ingredient... of pride and possessiveness.

Even Tolkien disliked the scamp.*

*Slight omissions may have been carried out to portray Sam in a more negative light.

View Poll Results: My favourite hobbit is:
Frodo	6	9.84%
Bilbo	12	19.67%
Pippin	13	21.31%
Merry	12	19.67%
Sam	18	29.51%
Voters: 61. You may not vote on this poll

07-26-2005, 10:26 AM	#1
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	Another vote for Sam. 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.

07-26-2005, 11:48 AM	#2
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	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. __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis Last edited by Folwren; 07-26-2005 at 11:52 AM.

07-26-2005, 05:04 PM	#3
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	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. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

07-27-2005, 05:57 AM	#4
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	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. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

07-27-2005, 06:15 AM	#5
WaynetheGoblin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: far far away Posts: 275	I like bilbo he is smart and short like me __________________ if your happy im happy if your sad im sad if you jump of a cliff i watch

08-03-2005, 12:58 AM	#6
Turgon Philip Noldor Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Indonesia Posts: 32	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.... __________________ "Covered by a love divine, Child of the risen Lord, To hear You say 'This ones mine', My heart is spoken for...." -MercyMe, Spoken For-