Anna Daniels
In order to truly understand Frodo’s origins, it’s worth zooming out a bit to consider the culture that he grew up in. Tolkien goes to great lengths throughout his writing to highlight the quiet yet profound differences that make Hobbits distinct from the Dwarves, Men, Elves, and wizards that surrounded them on all sides — quite literally.
It’s rumored, though not confirmed, that Hobbits are distantly related to men, although they rarely fraternize with “the Big Folk” as they call them. Early on in their history, Hobbits are split into three large subgroups. The Stoors get along with Men fairly well, enjoy boating — which is uncommon for Hobbits — and can even grow facial hair. The Harfoots are best buds with the Dwarves and are the first Hobbits to initiate the custom of living underground. The Fallohides like the Elves and are the most adventurously tempered of the bunch.
Hobbit culture is well-known for its relaxed, rural nature. The “Little People” don’t like machines or industry, preferring a humble life with plenty of access to good food and drink. In the prologue to The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien explains that “Hobbits are an unobtrusive… people… for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favorite haunt.”
In spite of this aversion for new things, Hobbits are still very dexterous, skilled, and industrious when they want to be. They can see and hear better than most Men, and, of course, they’re famously short, typically topping out between two and four feet tall.
Written by: Looper
