Shoes on Hobbits? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Frodo Baggins · 10-07-2002, 08:12 AM

I have the colector's version of The Hobbit, which is illustrated byt the author. Of all the pictures of Bilbo (well, ok there's omly about three) there is only one where he is not wearing shoes!!!!! In one it evern looks as if he is wearing stockings as well! This seems strange after one has heard that hobbits never wear shoes.
And, as the fellowship leaves Rivendell, and Sam is going over his list in his mind, there is a mentioning of woolen hose!
Ok Mr. JRRT you have some 'splaining to do

Reginald Hill · 10-07-2002, 04:13 PM

I think I read in the Proloque that one "breed" of hobbits sometimes wore boots in muddy weather so maybe Bilbo had some of that blood in him. Or maybe Tolkien made an innocent mistake. Was it a sketch or a real illustration? Because if it was a sketch then it probably just slipped his mind that hobbits don't wear shoes. If it was a real illustration that he put alot of time into then that's different

Arwen Imladris · 10-07-2002, 05:55 PM

Maybe he drew these pictures before he fully developed the image of a hobbit?

Frodo Baggins · 10-07-2002, 07:08 PM

Well Reginald, the only sketch is the one where Bilbo isn't wearing shoes. The other two were rather elaborate and look as if much work was put in them.

The Bucklanders and the folk of the Marish wear dwarf boots in muddy weather.

This still does not explain Sam's wollen hose.

Olo Gamwich · 10-07-2002, 09:17 PM

Even though Hobbits don't use any footwear, I would have to think that they must put SOMETHING on their feet. You have to consider cold weather, very harsh terrain, etc. Perhaps the woolen hose are for sleeping in or something...I dunno.
[img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

Samwise · 10-07-2002, 09:18 PM

Yes, I remember reading that, too (about the Hobbits that wore boots in muddy weather...)

Bombadilo · 10-07-2002, 09:26 PM

Well, if they were going to wear something on their feet in cold weather, wouldnt they have to have been wearing something when they were trying to go over Carathras?

Frodo Baggins · 10-08-2002, 05:54 PM

I thought that the fur on their feet was enough to keep them warm. Oh well..

Eruialiwen · 10-08-2002, 06:22 PM

LOL, the woolen hose thing was driving me mad...*scratches head in confusion* And I would think that going barefoot over Caradhras would've been a bit odd...I mean, Legolas was wearing his regular light shoes, but then again Elves aren't supposed to feel the cold or soemthing like that. Maybe Hobbits don't have any nerve endings in their furry feet [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Frodo Baggins · 10-09-2002, 07:58 AM

Cahira: actually, When I once stepped on a piece of sharp glass that cut into the bottom of my shoe,I wondered whether it would affect a hobbit if they stepped in a very sharp piece of glass. The sole of said shoe is about as tough as the bottom of a hobbits foot, if not more.

Frodo: well Cahira, I am not going to step on glass to see whar happens, those fire ants are bad enough!

[ October 09, 2002: Message edited by: Frodo Baggins ]

Samwise · 10-09-2002, 09:54 PM

Stacey: Hm. This IS interesting.....

Sam: Fire ants, sir!?!? Where have you an' Miss Cahira been going???

Stacey: [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] About going over Cahadras, it did mention Legolas' shoes, so why, then, wouldn't they have mentioned the Hobbits wearing shoes if snow/cold would have bothered them? (I'm not saying it did bother Legolas, which we know it didn't, but if it took the time to mention that.... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) Ergh. I hope somebody can figure out what I'm getting at. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Frodo Baggins · 10-10-2002, 09:51 AM

Oh just in the back yard, Sam, theres TONS of them back there. When one does not pay attentio to where on is stepping. Fortunately I was not walking in the galss that put a gash in the sole of her shoe.

Oh! And if any of you out there are ever bit by a fire ant, a dream pain killer for bites is a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

10-07-2002, 08:12 AM	#1
Frodo Baggins Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water Posts: 606	Shoes on Hobbits? I have the colector's version of The Hobbit, which is illustrated byt the author. Of all the pictures of Bilbo (well, ok there's omly about three) there is only one where he is not wearing shoes!!!!! In one it evern looks as if he is wearing stockings as well! This seems strange after one has heard that hobbits never wear shoes. And, as the fellowship leaves Rivendell, and Sam is going over his list in his mind, there is a mentioning of woolen hose! Ok Mr. JRRT you have some 'splaining to do __________________ "I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game."

10-07-2002, 04:13 PM	#2
Reginald Hill Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dwaling in the East Farthing of the Shire Posts: 20	I think I read in the Proloque that one "breed" of hobbits sometimes wore boots in muddy weather so maybe Bilbo had some of that blood in him. Or maybe Tolkien made an innocent mistake. Was it a sketch or a real illustration? Because if it was a sketch then it probably just slipped his mind that hobbits don't wear shoes. If it was a real illustration that he put alot of time into then that's different __________________ Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go To heal my heart and drown my woe. - excerpt from A Drinking Song

10-07-2002, 05:55 PM	#3
Arwen Imladris Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In a box with a fox Posts: 1,347	Maybe he drew these pictures before he fully developed the image of a hobbit? __________________ "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies, we must go, yes, we must go at once."

10-07-2002, 07:08 PM	#4
Frodo Baggins Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water Posts: 606	Well Reginald, the only sketch is the one where Bilbo isn't wearing shoes. The other two were rather elaborate and look as if much work was put in them. The Bucklanders and the folk of the Marish wear dwarf boots in muddy weather. This still does not explain Sam's wollen hose. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game."

10-07-2002, 09:17 PM	#5
Olo Gamwich Animated Skeleton Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 36	Even though Hobbits don't use any footwear, I would have to think that they must put SOMETHING on their feet. You have to consider cold weather, very harsh terrain, etc. Perhaps the woolen hose are for sleeping in or something...I dunno. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] __________________ Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.

10-07-2002, 09:18 PM	#6
Samwise Faithful Spirit Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: #3 Bagshot Row, Petaluma, Ca Posts: 2,299	Yes, I remember reading that, too (about the Hobbits that wore boots in muddy weather...) __________________ Giving thanks unto the Father...In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.~Colossians1:12a,14 * * * * * * * I am Samwise son of Hamfast, if by hoe or trowel I can get these weeds out of your garden, I will.You have my shears!;)

10-07-2002, 09:26 PM	#7
Bombadilo Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 15	Well, if they were going to wear something on their feet in cold weather, wouldnt they have to have been wearing something when they were trying to go over Carathras?

10-08-2002, 05:54 PM	#8
Frodo Baggins Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water Posts: 606	I thought that the fur on their feet was enough to keep them warm. Oh well.. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game."

10-08-2002, 06:22 PM	#9
Eruialiwen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mirkwood, Virginia Posts: 71	LOL, the woolen hose thing was driving me mad...scratches head in confusion And I would think that going barefoot over Caradhras would've been a bit odd...I mean, Legolas was wearing his regular light shoes, but then again Elves aren't supposed to feel the cold or soemthing like that. Maybe Hobbits don't have any nerve endings in their furry feet [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] __________________ ~'%From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills and the stones; The wailing of the gulls it bears, and at the gate it moans.%'~

10-09-2002, 07:58 AM	#10
Frodo Baggins Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water Posts: 606	Cahira: actually, When I once stepped on a piece of sharp glass that cut into the bottom of my shoe,I wondered whether it would affect a hobbit if they stepped in a very sharp piece of glass. The sole of said shoe is about as tough as the bottom of a hobbits foot, if not more. Frodo: well Cahira, I am not going to step on glass to see whar happens, those fire ants are bad enough! [ October 09, 2002: Message edited by: Frodo Baggins ] __________________ "I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game."

10-09-2002, 09:54 PM	#11
Samwise Faithful Spirit Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: #3 Bagshot Row, Petaluma, Ca Posts: 2,299	Stacey: Hm. This IS interesting..... Sam: Fire ants, sir!?!? Where have you an' Miss Cahira been going??? Stacey: [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] About going over Cahadras, it did mention Legolas' shoes, so why, then, wouldn't they have mentioned the Hobbits wearing shoes if snow/cold would have bothered them? (I'm not saying it did bother Legolas, which we know it didn't, but if it took the time to mention that.... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) Ergh. I hope somebody can figure out what I'm getting at. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] __________________ Giving thanks unto the Father...In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.~Colossians1:12a,14 * * * * * * * I am Samwise son of Hamfast, if by hoe or trowel I can get these weeds out of your garden, I will.You have my shears!;)

10-10-2002, 09:51 AM	#12
Frodo Baggins Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water Posts: 606	Oh just in the back yard, Sam, theres TONS of them back there. When one does not pay attentio to where on is stepping. Fortunately I was not walking in the galss that put a gash in the sole of her shoe. Oh! And if any of you out there are ever bit by a fire ant, a dream pain killer for bites is a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game."