Posted: January 20, 1999 at 07:53:02: by Padster
: Hold on here. The Shire was NOT meant to be a representation of middle England (or England itself, or a representation or anything). This is a common misconception among fans. Tolkien confessed to MODELLING some aspects of the Shire on rural England (a village in Warwickshire, to be precise), but he also patently denied that there was any direct connection between the Shire and England. The Shire is not a metaphor for England, or an allegory.Whatever! The point being The Shire and the Hobbits within are very English and therefore should be portrayed thus. That's why an american accent would sound wholly out of place! And there are very few who would disagree! Padster
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