JOURNAL RESPONSE HOBBIT #1

THE DIFFERENT RACES

The many different races in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” are indeed, quite interesting. Not only because they are such things as Goblins, orcs, elves, and dwarves, but also because they all very unique , all with their own strengths, and weaknesses, personalities, and habitats. None are perfect, not even the most powerful of the races, and unlike in most books of this sort, even the most “evil” of the races have good or inventive sides to them, and are not complete babbling idiots. But that is not the point of this Journal entry, as the question being asked is “Do perhaps the different races represent the different sides, types, personalities, or cultures of people that exist in our real world?” It might not be considered “politically correct” or even “racist” by some to consider the culture part, but it seems to me at least that it is most definitely a possibility. And no matter what they represent, or even if they represent absolutely nothing at all (which seems unlikely, as everything I have ever thought of is based on or originates from something.) due to their distinctiveness etc., they definitely make the world seem more real, almost as if this really was the way the world was at one time.

As for the races representing the different sides of people, there definitely seems to be evidence supporting this. Hobbits seem to represent the more calm steady almost hypocritical side. Goblins very much seem to represent a part of every person. They are smart and inventive, but they let there power go to far without restraining it and end up making weapons of mass distruction. Surely this side everybody has.

As for the different types of people much of what I just said can be transferred over for this argument. Hobbits are much like the typical stereotype upper class: You gotta’ be boring to be respectable, and you must be pretty darn Hypocritical about some things. Dwarfs rather fit the short tough guy with a short temper stereotype as well. Goblins are like those who are both inventive but unfortunately evil as well, and elves, well…..their elves. Actually however, elves seem to be more of the religious spiritual, pacifistic type that occasionally is just too weird, if that makes any sense whatsoever. And though somehow it seems these views of the races might conflict with the views of other readers, it seems for sure that no matter who you are the races will ring a bell as some type of person or culture. For example, one of the races to me always ends up reminding me of the French, stereotype or not they seem French to me.

So weather or not these conclusions are true, it seems most definitely that Tolkien had something in mind about why he made the races the way they are, and that they add to the enjoyment of the book.