Concerning Hobbits
April 26, 2020
As for the Hobbits of the Shire, with whom these tales are concerned, in the days of their peace and prosperity they were a merry folk.
…
Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking. And laugh they did, and eat, and drink, often and heartily, being fond of simple jests at all times, and of six meals a day (when they could get them). They were hospitable and delighted in parties, and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbits of Middle-earth are descended from Men, and are characterized by their short stature, love of food and drink, and resilience. The Hobbits played little role in the great wars between the kingdoms of Men and the forces of Sauron. It was not until the end of the Third Age (in which the Lord of the Rings trilogy is set) that any of the Shirefolk had any significant influence on the happenings of the world at large. But before we discuss the extraordinary feats of Bilbo Baggins and his nephew Frodo’s band of companions, we would do well to understand the culture in which they were raised.
As mentioned, Hobbits were much shorter than their cousins—the Men of Middle-earth—and even shorter than the stunted Dwarves. They rarely reached four feet, averaging only three and a half. As if to mirror their unassuming physical appearance, few Hobbits ever entertained dreams of grand adventure, conquest, or amassing great riches.
Instead, Hobbits were given over to a great fondness of feasting and merriment. While some may have looked at them as gluttonous or lazy for rarely leaving the Shire, the Hobbits’ love of the creature comforts was closer to a deep appreciation of the labor and craftsmanship needed to produce such goods and a means to revel amongst family and friends, rather than self-indulgent compulsion that controlled every aspect of their lives. A gathering in the Shire was always accompanied by a sharing of the finest food and drink the host had to offer, and tales of family lineage or rousing songs.
Nonetheless, ease and peace had left this people still curiously tough. They were, if it came to it, difficult to daunt or to kill; and they were, perhaps, so unwearingly fond of good things not least because they could, when put to it, do without them, and could survive rough handling by grief, foe, or weather in a way that astonished those who did not know them well and looked no further than their bellies and their well-fed faces.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
The other distinctive feature of these small-folk was their incredible hardiness. Gandalf mentions that this characteristic, along with their caring for one another, helped them survive the “Long Winter” and the resulting famine, which claimed the lives of thousands in the Shire. In due time, this same courage and camaraderie also made it possible for Frodo’s band of Hobbits to persevere in their missions during the War of the Ring.
While reflecting on the noble humility of these little folk, I can’t help but remember one Little Flower, who lived out a life of heroic virtue from within the confines of a convent—her own Shire. While St. Therese of Lisieux may have been appalled by the eating and drinking habits of the halflings, she would have discovered in them kindred spirits that sought and found joy, contentment, and purpose in their littleness— fierce, little souls that were courageous beyond their modest appearances.