Flat and Round Characters

[Maxine]

In my opinion, most of the hobbits in the Shire are relatively flat (especially the Sackville-Baginses). But, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Because of their unchanging and dull attitude, Bilbo, Sam, and Frodo stand out all the more! Does anyone have anything else to say on this topic?

[Maxine]

Correction: The average hobbit is actually round, but also static. They have character traits that are interesting, and have personalities with depth, but they do not change much over the course of the book. Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam stand out for two reasons. Firstly, most of the narrative is focused on them. Second, their traits are different from the other hobbit's. If the average hobbit's personality is orange, (instead of the gray I imagine for flat characters) then the white (that I imagine for Bilbo, Sam, and Frodo) still will stand out.

[Maxine]

Does anyone else have an opinion on the subject?

[Maxine]

Here I am, talking to myself. :|

[Kyle]

Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam do change but because it is a series, the change becomes more apparent near the end.

[Maxine]

I have read the whole series, and realize that Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam are dynamic. The other hobbits, however, are not, which makes the prior-mentioned three hobbits stand out. (Also the stuff from my 2nd message does).

[Kyle]

Hobbits are not the only characters that are dynamic/round. Other characters also change. For example Gandalf is a round and dynamic character. After being "killed" by the barlog he behaves differently because he lost much of his memory.

[Maxine]

I agree. Also, in the book, some of the hobbits are foils to Bilbo. To explain, their drab (though sometimes amusing) way of life is like a backdrop to Bilbo's wondrous adventure-filled one. Though Bilbo does not make the other hobbits stand out, the opposite does.

[Kyle]

I agree, but the other hobbits are not much of a focus in the series. They are mentioned mainly at the beginning and end. Also Gandalf is a foil for Frodo. Gandalf is a powerful wizard while Frodo is a hobbit who has little power other than the ring. In the end though, Sauron being distracted by the war takes little notice to the hobbits until they are about to destroy the ring.

[Maxine]

I know, I am just focusing on them.

[Kyle]

Also, near the end of the series, all the hobbits change by rising up to the ruffians and Saruman. Before they were peaceful but in order to overthrow Saruman hey had to fight.

[Maxine]

True. Also, Frodo and Gollum are foils of one another. Gollum is barbaric and merciless, while Frodo is sophisticated and kind. They make eachother stand out.

[Kyle]

Can I also discuss dialogue?

[Sud666]

Maxine wrote: "True. Also, Frodo and Gollum are foils of one another. Gollum is barbaric and merciless, while Frodo is sophisticated and kind. They make eachother stand out."

You see Gollum as barbaric and merciless? Interesting. I have always viewed him as weak and greedy and morally bankrupt-which is why the One Ring had such an effect upon him. Conversely Frodo as his foil, per se, is strong (i mean character and soul not physical traits) and generous and quite full of good morals. Thus the One Ring has great difficulty in corrupting him. Even Gandalf says as much when he implies that the Hobbits, for all their staid, quiet lives actually make it THAT much more difficult for the Ring , and Sauron, to corrupt them or give them due credence as a threat.

[Kyle]

Maxine wrote: "True. Also, Frodo and Gollum are foils of one another. Gollum is barbaric and merciless, while Frodo is sophisticated and kind. They make eachother stand out."

You see Gollum as barbaric and merciless? Interesting. I have always viewed him as weak and greedy and morally bankrupt-which is why the One Ring had such an effect upon him. Conversely Frodo as his foil, per se, is strong (i mean character and soul not physical traits) and generous and quite full of good morals. Thus the One Ring has great difficulty in corrupting him. Even Gandalf says as much when he implies that the Hobbits, for all their staid, quiet lives actually make it THAT much more difficult for the Ring , and Sauron, to corrupt them or give them due credence as a threat.

Gollum still went to great lengths to try and retrieve the ring from Frodo and at the end, he was actually able to steal it from Frodo before falling into Mt. Doom.