The Hobbit - Chapter 02 - Roast Mutton

[davem]

I might not (if The Hobbit had been more carefully written, and my world so much thought about 20 years ago) have used the expression 'poor little blighter', just as I should not have called the troll William. But I discerned no pity even then, and put in a plain caveat. Pity must restrain one from doing something immediately desirable and seemingly advantageous. There is no more 'pity' here than in a beast of prey yawning, or lazily patting a creature it could eat, but does not want to, since it is not hungry. Or indeed than there is in many of men's actions, whose real roots are in satiety, sloth, or a purely non-moral natural softness, though they may dignify them by 'pity's' name."

This is the Tolkien who could not leave well alone, unfortunately. The Trolls, with their display of 'pity' are perfect fairy story Trolls - they have feelings & a 'morality' of their own. Tolkien has brought into being a wonderful, magical world, on the borders of history & Faerie. Within that world it all works beautifullly, & if it contains internal inconsistencies, they are forgiveable.

Unfortunately Tolkien felt he had to alter TH, first to make it fit with LotR, & second in response to correspondents who challenged his Catholic credentials. To make it fit with LotR he removed some of the most quirky, odd & charming things in it. To make it fit with Catholicism he sat in judgement on it & condemned it (& himself for writing it as he did). He should have told Peter Hastings to go boil his head.