[The X Phial]

While I disagree with the idea that imitation of older styles is wrong, I am not going to argue the point. It's an opinion, fair enough. What I take issue with is the characterisation of Aragorn's change in character as affected.

Aragorn is a complex character. If he acted the same way in Gondor as he did in Bree he would not make a very good leader. He is old enough to be able to change roles with the situation. Tolkien changes his tone and his behavior as he gets closer to taking on the new role as King. He is sincere in his simple care for the hobbits in FotR, and he is also sincere in his more complex motivations in RotK. Just because a person can adapt does not make them false or affected.

Also, the hobbits change as the story progresses. The hobbits of FotR might not use the simile you mentioned, but a blooded Pippin or Merry certainly could have. If the tone changes, it is to reflect the differences in how the hobbits perceive the world. And, though they are people of simple pleasures, they are not stupid. Bilbo writes poetry with imagery not common to hobbits. Why hem them into a particular style? Do all humans write the same way?

So, in short, while I agree that the tone changes, I disagree about the motivation behind it. Aragorn is not false, the hobbits can and do grow and change, and Tolkien's use of archaic language is to simulate a culture that no longer exists, not to make his prose more "important" sounding.

Ok, those are my two cents. Toss them in the next wishing well you find.