Re: CHAT: Tolkien (was Re: fantasy)

At 9:32 am +0100 24/11/99, Grandsire, C.A. wrote:
[....}
>
>        The problem here is that in The Hobbit, Tolkien describes Bilbo as
>having ears "less pointed than Elvish ears" or something like this.
Where?  I can't find it  (but, then, I haven't had time to read all 315
pages again this evening  :)

The only bit I recall is Tolkien's general description of hobbits in the
first chapter.  I quote:
"They are (or were) small people, smaller than dwarvws (and they have no
beards) but very much larger than lilliputians.  There is little or no
magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to
disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come
blustering along, making a noise like elephants which they hear a mile off.
They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours
(chiefly green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural
leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads
(which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and
laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner which they have twice a
day if they can get it.  Now you know enough to get on with."

Indeed - and not a mention of ears at all   :)

Ray.

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A mind which thinks at its own expense
will always interfere with language.
                   [J.G. Hamann 1760]
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