Who says hobbits arent kids?

[Anamatar IV]

I am currently re-reading TTT and it struck me--alot of purists here dont like the fact that in the movie they treat the hobbits (merry and pippin) as children. Well that isnt too far from the book:

''Come! Let us go on! The thought of those merry young folk driven
like cattle burns my heart.'


this from the two towers.

All throughout the book the orcs are calling Merry and Pippin 'lad' probably referring to one younger and more child like than they.

I really dont think an Uruk-hai would call a prisoner of Rohan lad...so tell me-what is the big huge deal about the hobbits being "childish" when in fact they are told as childish in the books?

[Nefmariel]

well this is just what I think because you mentioned hobbits mistaken for kids. maybe its because they're short, and look kinda like kids?

[Mithlond]

Legolas also actually refers to Aragorn and Gimli as children, or something very similar, while they are on the hunt for the Uruk-Hai.

[joxy]

Originally posted by Anamatar IV
....the fact that in the movie they treat the hobbits (merry and pippin) as children.
Well that isnt too far from the book
I'm glad you agree, or admit, the film does make them act like children, of a sort.
But it could NOT be further from the books.
Others have answered your quotations already.
Adults don't have to behave like children to have fun at a birthday party, and Bilbo's relations who wanted more than the
going-away presents they were given were only too grown-up!
The whole story in the book of how P&M planned with Sam to arrange Frodo's departure and to go with him demonstrates as clearly as anything could just how unlike children they are. It is a pity none of that could have been included in the film, especially as it takes 35 minutes for anyone to get away from The Shire. PJ can't claim lack of time as a reason for omitting it.
And - we've been over the bathroom scene before!

[Fimbrethil]

Er.

Frodo had just 'come of age' ...33 at the party. Merry and Pippen were younger.

21 year olds are said to have come of age in humans.

I know many 21 year olds, and they do not act like adults. They act like teenagers. Considering that hobbits seem considerably less jaded than modern day teenagers/students, and that merry and pippen are young gentlehobbits (That is they come from wealthy families, rather than from a poorer background like sam), they are likely to have been carefree for a lot longer than most.

I tend to identify with them both as being.....innocents about my age, but certainly not grim, well behaved adults.

Responsibility is something they carry by the end of the books, but not at the beginning.

[Mindy_O_Lluin]

I don't remember Merry's age in the books, but Pippen was 29 and had not yet 'come of age', so he could be considered a lad.
But what strikes me funny watching TTT and then remembering the book, was that Frodo was 15 years OLDER than Faramir.

[morello13]

or that aragorn is the same age as theoden

[Finduilas]

Well,they do act like kids and especially Pippin in Moria,it was a mistake but a kidish one.Why didn't enyone else did something stupid.

[gandalfthegreat]

I am with Fimbrethil on this topic. I believe it is because in Hobbit culture Merry and Pippen are still in their innocence, and haven't "Come to Age" yet. Needless to say, I believe the Orc's would treat them as so despite their innocence, because the size of the hobbits in comparison to theirselves...there is a great difference also the Hobbits are much gentler kinder folk who act younger anyways. And on Fimbrethil's point on social standing, I believe it true that Merry and Pippen had much less worries in their lives...they did not have to grow up quick and take responsibilties as the poorer Sam Gamgee did.

-Gandalf-