Hobbits: Difference between revisions

 

 

* The trope name comes from the race of small people who act as surrogates for middle-class Englishmen in the works of [[J. R. R. Tolkien|JRR Tolkien]]. (Just in case you've been living under a rock for the past eighty years.) Part of the reason is Hobbits were originally created for ''[[The Hobbit (novel)|The Hobbit]]'' only; in the early drafts they were even more like modern humans (Bilbo owns a clock, all the hobbits have "normal" surnames and given names even in ''LOTR''). Frodo's friends occasionally grumble how Hobbits are left out of most legendary stories they've heard, which some fans have taken as a reference to how difficult it might have been for Tolkien to bring them in line with a larger epic fantasy. However, this trope is also ''subverted'' somewhat by Tolkien's description of Hobbits seeming soft because they lead comfortable lives, not that they're ''inherently'' weak. Much like Englishmen, they are just about as likely to be adventurous (Frodo's crew) as they are to be assholes (Lotho Sackville-Baggins). Early role-playing games featuring halflings banked on Tolkien's description that used to wander from place to place and that their skill in games and sports has a lot to do with being pretty tough. Hobbits within the Tolkien mythology are also curiously resistant to the effects of [[The Corruption]] caused by Sauron's powers, particularly the One Ring. Hobbits were the only ones capable of handling the One Ring without being completely ensnared by its power, though they aren't immune to its effects; for example, Smeagol/Gollum was consumed by the One Ring's power when he found it, and at the climax of ''The Return Of The King'' the One Ring is able to prevent Frodo from throwing it into Mount Doom. Not to underrate their resistance, however. Only two beings to possess the One Ring have EVER voluntarily given it up, and both were Hobbits. ** Not quite. Tom Bombadil also gave it up voluntarily (it actually had no effect on him whatsoever) and Eru only knows what he is!

:The immunity of the Hobbits was due to their upbringing causing most of them to think small and only reach for what was close at hand. This relative lack of ambition (compared to the other sentient races) meant that the One Ring didn't have a lot to tempt them with—Sam saw himself making the entire realm into his garden, which even he thought was too far out. Of course, there were exceptions and in the end Frodo may have been vulnerable due to a less sheltered upbringing from his uncle Bilbo's influence. Bilbo himself had rather benign inclinations even after feeling the Ring's influence.

* The Warrows from Dennis L. McKiernan's ''[[Mithgar]]'' books fit Tolkien's Hobbit mold (one of them is even named Pippin!), although they tend to be more adventurous than Tolkien's Hobbits and were more quick to defend themselves, having a well-organized militia.

* ''[[The Witcher]]'' plays them entirely straight... with a small helping of [[Beware the Nice Ones]].

* David Weber's ''[[The War Gods|WarGod]]'' series plays up the thieving, cowardly image for its version of Halflings. Except the Marfang Islander halflings who are brilliant sailors and brave to what the other races consider reckless insanity. They've all got small horns on their foreheads as well to set them apart physically.

* The Fiia of Ursula K. LeGuin's ''Rocannon's World'' fit this trope to a T, being a small child-like race that just wants to enjoy a simple communal life free of care and fear.