[Lyta_Underhill]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Not only is he a funny little Hobbit and has that innocence about him, he is also intellegent, and thats something that Pippin lacks just a bit.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I always notice that people attribute more intelligence to Merry; what I think Merry has is more common sense and a deeper knowledge of the land. He is more connected to the Earth than Pippin, who seems to float on a level just above it. (Really! If I haven't recommended the Pippin's Sixth Sense thread enough, it isn't done purposely!) Pippin seems to connect to the flow of supernormal events; he is, in many cases the cause of them. He is a nexus, but he is also an innocent. I think if Pippin became TOO grounded, he would lose something. <P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>There are lots of reasons why Pippin's my favorite, but I'd have to say the best way to sum it all up is when his spirit laughs a little before he passes out under the troll, thinking he's dying. That just describes his character perfectly.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Right on, <B>Diamond</B>! He is the embodiment of the resilient spirit of the entire race of Hobbits! I was extremely worried that Tolkien had killed Pippin at this point too, but somehow, Pippin's last thoughts lightened the blow for me, like it was, indeed, a story, to be laughed at a little and not taken so gravely seriously. A lesson for life, and I am so glad Pippin got to grow up without losing this very important character trait! So many people lose their ability to laugh at things, even the big things, when they are confronted with the hazards of coming of age. <P>I can't say anyone will be surprised at my choice of Pippin (the one character from LOTR I would marry in a heartbeat!), but I can say one thing about Merry and the observations that some here have made about his independence. I thought, when Merry and Pippin were separated, that Merry reacted more in the dependent way; he seemed more worried about being left behind, about losing Pippin and he latched onto Theoden in a very emotional way. I found him to be more dependent and less able to get on emotionally on his own than Pippin was. Pippin's main problem was overcoming his fears and finding someone worthy of love and sacrifice--Beregond, Faramir--this difference, I think arises to a large extent, because of the differences between Theoden and Denethor. There is no way Pippin could have cultivated a relationship like Merry's to Theoden with the VERY disturbed and despairing Denethor. But I do like how Pippin recognizes and rejects that path, while still sympathizing and understanding the madness that Denethor had fallen into. That, in itself, I think illustrates a major difference between Men and Hobbits.<P>Sorry, I went off on a tangent, didn't I? Well, anyway, you can tell I really like Pippin! <P>Cheers,<BR>Lyta