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Your Daily Tolkien Ping!

Coming from many sources, these articles cover many aspects of Tolkien and his literary works. If anyone would like for me to ping them directly when I post articles such as this let me know. Enjoy!

Thanks a bunch for the ping. This is a great way to start out a busy week.

Another thought on this. Frodo was noted by both Gandalf and Bilbo as the "best hobbit in the shire." With this in mind and remembering that not only was the evil of Sauron and the power of evil in general "calling" the ring back to it's maker, there was also the power of good which is given credit for choosing Frodo as the next ring-bearer. Again and again as we see Frodo's struggle with the ring or power behind the ring trying to force him to put the ring on, we also see the other power trying to keep his mind steady and keep the ring off. The force of good is shown to be in control of events just as is Sauron trying to take control. So, even in Bilbo's choice of Frodo as an heir we see the divine power of good entering in and choosing Frodo.

Could go on but you get the idea. Thanks again.

Bilbo often allowed younger relatives and their friends to visit Bag End, and it was during these years that Frodo met Pippen and Merry (and don't forget Sam).

Sam was just the gardener's son (at first) and was devoted to Frodo although Frodo didn't realize this until later.

One of the things I think is interesting in LOTR is the social status of the four hobbits in the Fellowship.

If I remember correctly, Pippin was the son (heir?) of the Thain, the #1 hobbit in the Shire and therefore in the world. In hobbit terms, he was perhaps the equivalent of the Prince of Wales.

Merry was the son (heir?) of the Master of Buckland, a semi-independent principality. So his status might be equal to the heir of a duke.

Frodo was closely related to both of them and therefore was an aristocrat himself, although not in the primary lines. Perhaps when he inherited from Bilbo, he became the equivalent of an English country squire who is related to a peer.

Sam, OTOH, is "just a servant." Early on in the story, the others sometimes treat him with unthinking condecension. By the end, they are treating him as a full equal, which of course he has earned through his own efforts. As Frodo's heir and Mayor, he becomes himself an aristocrat, which status he hands down to his descendants.

In unfinished tales - Gandalf is said to have explained the reasons for choosing Biblo - there is also info in Appendix A /LR - Thorin Oakenshield was very egotistical and prideful. Gandalf knew that would kill him and the mission if left unchecked. He thought by adding a humble hobbit it might help. He was right (of course - the hobbiot saved the mission but Thorin was ultimately killed by his pride with - as Gandalf prophesied - with gold in his fingers) Of the hobbits, he wanted one that was part Took (explorer, wanderer) and a Baggins - Biblo stood out because he was single so late in life that Gandalf believed that that showed that Biblo had secret longings to travel far and be ready to go at any time - without any other considerations slowing him down. - Anyway - that is some of it. App A and Unfinished Tales tells the rest.