Gold, silver, and jools - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sir Kohran · 03-29-2007, 08:49 AM

It's interesting that there seems to be a kind of reverse snobbery here...Bilbo is sneered upon by most people not because he is poor, but because he is well-off. When we think of the trouble between rich and poor, it's generally of a snooty rich person nastily putting down an honest, 'normal' generally kind working class person. But in the Shire it seems to be the reverse - Bilbo who is well-off is treated with disdain by most of the 'normal' people, despite the fact that he isn't actually that rich and is quite generous with his money.

Selmo · 03-29-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Kohran

Bilbo who is well-off is treated with disdain by most of the 'normal' people, despite the fact that he isn't actually that rich and is quite generous with his money.

Bilbo wasn't treated with distain because of what he brought back from his journey but because he went off with the Dwarves in the first place. It was his eccentricity, not his wealth, that normal Hobbits disliked.

Bilbo was different and difference always attracts wild rumors. Consider how, in our own world, some sections of the mass media continually generate and propagate stories about celebraties.
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Boo Radley · 03-29-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selmo

Bilbo wasn't treated with distain because of what he brought back from his journey but because he went off with the Dwarves in the first place. It was his eccentricity, not his wealth, that normal Hobbits disliked.

Bilbo was different and difference always attracts wild rumors. Consider how, in our own world, some sections of the mass media continually generate and propagate stories about celebraties.
.

You beat me to the post. This is exactly what I was going to say.
The point is made more than once that the Hobbits have no use for the wider world and distrust travelers.

Hilde Bracegirdle · 03-29-2007, 10:10 AM

I could have sworn that Bilbo's wealth or rather lack there of, was mentioned somewhere toward the end of LotR. Or then again, maybe Bilbo mentioned it when giving Frodo the mithril shirt? I wish I had my books with me, so I could start looking for it. As it is, I have an unsettling feeling that I am imagining it.

Snowdog · 04-02-2007, 05:52 PM

This all leads to the question of local economies, and how things were paid for. The only mention of money I can find other than what has been said of Bilbo's treasures is that of a 'penny' and 'silver pennies' in Bree.

ninja91 · 04-02-2007, 07:11 PM

Also, whatever happened to Frodo's inherited wealth after he set off on his quest? He sold Bag End to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, but what happened to all his money and his house at Crickhollow?

03-29-2007, 08:49 AM	#1
Sir Kohran Wight Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: England, UK Posts: 178	It's interesting that there seems to be a kind of reverse snobbery here...Bilbo is sneered upon by most people not because he is poor, but because he is well-off. When we think of the trouble between rich and poor, it's generally of a snooty rich person nastily putting down an honest, 'normal' generally kind working class person. But in the Shire it seems to be the reverse - Bilbo who is well-off is treated with disdain by most of the 'normal' people, despite the fact that he isn't actually that rich and is quite generous with his money. __________________ 'Dangerous!' cried Gandalf. 'And so am I, very dangerous: more dangerous than anything you will ever meet, unless you are brought alive before the seat of the Dark Lord.'

03-29-2007, 10:10 AM	#4
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	I could have sworn that Bilbo's wealth or rather lack there of, was mentioned somewhere toward the end of LotR. Or then again, maybe Bilbo mentioned it when giving Frodo the mithril shirt? I wish I had my books with me, so I could start looking for it. As it is, I have an unsettling feeling that I am imagining it. Last edited by Hilde Bracegirdle; 03-29-2007 at 10:14 AM.

04-02-2007, 05:52 PM	#5
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 647	This all leads to the question of local economies, and how things were paid for. The only mention of money I can find other than what has been said of Bilbo's treasures is that of a 'penny' and 'silver pennies' in Bree.