Hobbit hair

[MatthewM]

PJ made it curly, wavy and long, Ted Nasmith along with other artists made it very short and curly. I completely prefer PJ's way, but what do you believe Tolkien intended? I remember reading once in The Letters that he cites Sam's hair as short...he might even mention "short" in the narrative of LotR. Do you think he meant "short" in relation to the time period? Most Men in M-e had long hair, most likely shoulder length or longer. Perhaps he meant "short" as PJ made it---shorter than Men's, shorter in relation to the times.

Opinions?

[MatthewM]

Come on, I know some people don't care about the minor details (ex: Legolas' hair color) but I do! I want some opinions.

[Bêthberry]

Well, according to the chapter The Grey Havens, the year 1420 in the Shire was a marvellous year wherein many hobbit bairns were born with "rich golden hair that had before been rare among hobbits."

We know that Sam put a grain of Galadriel's special dust when he planted new trees after the Scouring of the Shire, but how Galadriel's hair colour got mixed in with hobbit genes is not, I think, explained. Nor does the text exactly say that this hair colour derives from Galadriel, although it is easy to make a connection given how significant her hair is.

It's a mystery.

[Anguirel]

I always wonder if a party of virile, hopelessly drunk Rohirrim passed through the Shire in 1419-20...

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Ang would you please not post stuff like that, so close to my bed time ?

[MatthewM]

"I always wonder if a party of virile, hopelessly drunk Rohirrim passed through the Shire in 1419-20"

:D good one.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Short neat hair is a serious negative in fantasy. Most men wish they had long, flowing locks but they are generally dissuaded in 'the real world' because they're less likely to get a job, or whatever. Adventure books harbour not only dreams of dragons and diamonds, you know! :D

[Diamond18]

I am very partial to the Hobbit hair in the movies, and as I am not sure exactly what Tolkien intended I prefer to picture it that way.

However, as Tolkien I believe patterned the Hobbits after late 19th century bucolic Englishmen, I think whatever length of hair was prevalent amongst that lot can be ascribed to Tolkien's mental imagery. Unfortunately I can't remember where I read about Tolkien's inspiration for Hobbit culture, I assume it was the letters which I only read a library copy of a long while ago.

[Bêthberry]

Does this topic include the hair on hairy Hobbit feet?

[Diamond18]

If so, then I feel compelled to comment that I thought PJ's hobbit feet weren't hairy enough and looked rather more ugly than woolly.

[Firefoot]

Does this topic include the hair on hairy Hobbit feet? Actually, now that you mention that...

I had always imagined the hair being on the bottom of the feet (as extra protection, you know... some parts of the feet just don't really callous!), but PJ put it on the tops - thoughts?

[Brinniel]

Does this topic include the hair on hairy Hobbit feet?
Actually, when I first clicked on the thread I thought it was hobbit feet that were to be discussed. :p

I always imagined hobbit feet to be just as Tolkien described:
...their feet had tough leathery soles and were clad in a thick curling hair, much like the hair of their heads, which was commonly brown.

So while I can't see hair on the bottom of their feet, I can see it absolutely covered on top except for perhaps the toes. And as for the hair on their heads, I also think the movie did the hobbits justice- thick, long, and untamed. I can't really imagine hobbits spending a long time grooming their hair when they can spend that precious time doing other things, such as eating. :rolleyes: