Hail
Bethberry,
Welcome to the discussion. You've presented some intriguing reflections in your usual eloquent way that are well worth pondering.
The case of Bree is particularly interesting. While your reference to Bree calls to mind the facts that Breelanders are not given to travel and are mainly concerned with the doings of their own villages, of Bree, Staddle, Combe, and Archet, still, I'm not sure it entirely fits my own reading of Breeland culture. You say:
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The descriptions of Bree, with their marked sense of a retreat from trade and outside commerce, their insularity, seemed more suited to the walled or 'gated' communities of the Middle Ages.
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To my mind, the sense of retreat from trade and outside commerce comes not from an inherent, concerted reluctance of Breelanders to deal with outsiders, but rather, from a heightened sense of caution due to the spread of danger from the growing Shadow.
Certainly, the Men of Bree accepted an influx of Hobbits into their territories, and a vibrant trade sprung up among them as Big Folk and Little Folk lived quite happily side by side.
Further, under normal circumstances, I've found the Men of Bree ...
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... more friendly and familiar with Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, and other inhabitants of the world about them than was (or is) usual with Big People.
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(Above quote from LOTR, in the chapter "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony.")
I look forward to further discussion on this, as you wish. * bows *
At your Service,
Gandalf the Grey
[ June 07, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]