EDIT: GAH! THREAD NECROMANCY! I really should be checking the dates on the original posts before opening my mouth on a discussion that none of the original people are probably going to read again.
Hehe. Anyway, /EDIT
Oh, Jeff, Jeff, how can I begin to explain how wrong you are?
Apologies to everyone for not thoroughly reading the thread, but I had to respond to what I saw as one of the grossest misunderstandings of Tolkien's work that I've ever come across. I refer to that presented by Jeff Gerke in the third post on the first page.
In short, the claim is that Tolkien's characters were all boring because they were identical to one another; several examples used in support. I will begin to provide examples to counter.
I. Merry and Pippin
Jeff is not alone in his opinion that Merry and Pippin were just generic hobbits that were indistinguishable from one another. In support, I cite Orson Scott Card, a successful (secular) author. In particular, his book "How to write Science Fiction and Fantasy" makes the claim in so many words.
However, anyone who thinks that Merry and Pippin were virtually the same is simply a lazy reader. I'm sorry, but it is true. Merry is actually one of my favorite characters in the books, and has very few, if any, similarities to Pippin. I demonstrate this with the following list of their activities up through Bree:
Merry:
- Helped Frodo keep order in the post-birthday party celebration (Frodo even left him alone to handle all the people trying to get in)
- Organized the Conspiracy to make sure Frodo didn't pop off as well
- Was put in charge of arranging Frodo's new house in Crickhollow
- Acted as spokesman for the conspiracy
- Was the planner and guide for taking the route through the old forest
- At Bree, cautioned the others against participating too freely in the common room
Already, if you're thinking about what you're reading, it should be apparent to you that Merry was no empty-headed buffoon. Rather, he was a shrewd, level-headed organizer. Frodo trusted him with a great many responsibilities, and he wasn't afraid to strike out on his own and make his own plans.
Contrast this with Pippin. Pippin is much harder to assemble a list for, because Pippin doesn't actually
do all that much in the time leading up to Bree. He is simply a follower and provider of some light hearted hobbit comedy. A very different picture from Merry, now isn't he?
- Walked with Frodo from Bag End to Crickhollow; grumbles about everything he has to go through, but nevertheless remains cheerful and light hearted
- Grumbles at taking a short-cut through the forests to avoid black riders because it will mean he won't get to use the road or visit the Golden Perch (best beer in the east farthing!)
- Participates in the conspiracy; grumbles at having to get up very early
- Almost gives away the hobbits in Bree due to his carelessness.
A very different picture indeed. Pippin is a young hobbit who likes his comforts, and can't seem to keep the notion of 'danger' in his mind for more than a few moments when those comforts are provided. He would rather risk black riders than give up the Golden Perch. And when snug and cozy in Bree, forgets all about their pursuers. While Merry wisely stayed in their rooms in Bree, Pippin not only foolishly entered the common room, but proceeded to make himself the center of attention and entertain the guests with stories that, in the circumstances, it was hardly wise to bring up. One thing I would like to point out though:
Pippin was not stupid! Careless, yes. Light hearted, yes. But it was Peter Jackson that made him stupid (and Billy Boyd too).
These differences between Merry and Pippin continue through the rest of the series. Which hobbit was it that stole the Palantir from Gandalf? It was the irresponsible and foolish Pippin. Which hobbit was it that fought and cut off several Orc hands when the Uruk-Hai tried to capture the two of them above the falls of Rauros? It was the decisive Merry. Who dropped a stone into the well in Moria, alerting the enemy to their presence? It was a thoughtless act on the part of Pippin. Merry never does anything remotely like it, yet Pippin seems to be always making errors of this sort.
Even at the end of the book, we see differences. Merry is the one taking charge and being the 'spokesman' for the four hobbits against Sharkie's men. He is the one giving commands. Pippin only speaks up when he becomes too angry to contain himself (as the ruffian insults the king and the king's messengers). Then when they are wondering what to do after the first battle, it is Merry that decisively tells them that they can't go undercover, they have to do something! (Pippin: Do what? Merry: Raise the Shire!)
As I mentioned before, Merry is actually my favorite of the hobbits. He isn't burdened down with the pessimism and despondency of Frodo, he has more ingenuity, initiative, and leadership than the doggedly loyal, yet not very clever Sam, and he is much more sober-minded than the carefree Pippin.
Why do people keep making such a grave error in their estimation of Merry? To be honest, I don't know. Part of it is that he never puts himself forward as anyone special; a trait that adds to his character. He never contemplates his own troubles, or what he's done; his focus is always on what needs to be done in the current circumstances to help Frodo. Helping his friend is his focus, and unlike Pippin, he doesn't get distracted from it so easily.
And that actually brings us to another point; Pippin and Merry grow in the course of the books. In the movies, they don't. They are reduced to brick-headed buffoons that serve little purpose other than comic relief. In the books, Merry and Pippin stood for the strength of friendship; the scene where they refuse to let Frodo leave Crickhollow alone is one of my favorite in the books. And yet not only was it cut out, but every last vestige of the sacrifice that they made and the brotherly love that existed between the four hobbits was removed from the movie. Peter Jackson had Pippin jump into the fellowship without even knowing where they were going (he didn't want to be left out of anything!). Far from making them more interesting, Peter Jackson took away everything from Merry and Pippin that made them who they were. In the movies, they were simply the dynamic duo that provided comic relief.
They don't even
talk the same! Find me a single crack Merry makes about thinking at breakfast, about how wonderful baths are, or about the virtues of beer, and I might reconsider.
P.S. Merry was eight years older than Pippin.
II. The HobbitsJeff doesn't limit himself to just Merry and Pippin in his claim that the hobbits in the book weren't differentiated. I will attempt to be brief, having already written a book and a half. Hopefully I've also established a bit of credibility and won't have to delve so deep to support my points.
Sam is loyal to a fault. He cares deeply for his master, sympathizes with his burden, and is agony that there's nothing he can do to help. He reacts with suspicion vs everyone that threatens the already burdened Frodo, spurning help that others offer, yet bemoaning that there isn't more that he himself can do. Yet despite his sorrow, he approaches their troubles with optimism and hope. His manner of speech is plain, straightforward, and rather simple.
One could argue that Sam's loyalty is just 'a different agenda'. Yet why does Sam have this agenda that the other hobbit's don't? (to the same extent). Because he's a different person.
Frodo is incredibly pessimistic, seeming by his speech to practically have given up at the very start. He is also afraid. Yet despite his fear, he still takes the ring, displaying a strength of character unparalleled by any of the other hobbits. This is further demonstrated by his determination to go to Mordor alone. Unwilling to risk his friends at all, he takes the entire burden of the world upon himself. What other character in the book ever displayed the same extent of selflessness? I cannot picture Pippin, Merry, Sam, or even Aragorn deciding to go alone to Mordor with the ring (some due to being more practical, rather than more selfish). His manner of speech is fearful in the beginning, gradually changing to be filled with sad resolve, and a longing for things that can no longer be.
Merry is practical and level-headed. He recognizes what has to be done, and rather than worrying about it, simply sets about doing everything in his power to see that it is done. He is selfless, realizing the danger, but going anyway for friendship's sake. He is a leader and an organizer, taking charge numerous times when it is only the four hobbits. His manner of speech is practical and often informative.
Pippin is carefree and thoughtless. He goes with Frodo for friendship's sake, but never gives thought to what he can do to help. He is constantly acting on impulse, doing very foolish things because he doesn't take the danger seriously enough. He regrets many times accompanying Frodo out from Rivendell (something Merry never does; yeah, I know, I can't leave it alone). His manner of speech is light hearted but occasionally a little petulant.
Fatty only came into one scene where he had a few lines. I don't exactly blame Tolkien for not illustrating a complete and finished character in that time. He was fearful, and unwilling to face what he feared, even for his friendship. He would rather stay at home and wave goodbye than do anything himself. He is rather simple minded; magnifying the relatively small danger of the Old Forest, founded on rumors and stories, over the extraordinary danger of the Black Riders, based on actual experiences and the word of Gildor. While he may not be drawn perfectly well, he is nevertheless very distinct from Merry and Pippin.
In summary, the hobbits were all unique from one another, being entirely different in not only their faults and attitudes, but also their thought processes and manner of speech.
Why are they considered identical? Again, I don't know. It is true that none of them have a big, dramatic character arcs that need to be resolved; none of them have these huge, world shattering lessons to be learned. Instead, it is quiet growth. None of the hobbits are the same at the end of the book as they were at the beginning. Pippin and Merry get picked on, I think, because they didn't have the clear purpose that Frodo and Sam did. Without a clear purpose in the book, and without a defining character struggle, people just sweep them under the carpet without thinking about them at all. They are lumped in with Fatty and forgotten.
Anyway, I was going to write more, but that's enough for now. I may come on later and type something up expounding on Faramir, Eomar, Aragorn, and the rest. My white hot ire has cooled, and I find myself having gone out on a limb and said a mouthful.
And yet, I never even got round to giving my opinion of the movies! Maybe later.
Apologies if I come across too vehemently and inconsiderately. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that, while it may not seem like it from reading the above, I won't mind if you want to disagree.