Posted: September 27, 1999 at 08:47:01: by Jimcalagon the Red
: So does this mean that Hobbits have slightly pointed ears like Elfs? If not what did Tolkien mean by slightly pointed and leaf-shaped, as opposed to regular human shaped? I'm getting a bit confused about the matter. One quote says "Elvish" another say "Elfin". What is the "exact" quote and where can I see it for myself?: Goodgulf Goodgulf - you may have noticed that Michael did not answer your question - 'where is the quote?' but answered the question he would have like you to ask (BTW Mike - ever thought of going into politics?) The quote is in 'The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien' ed. Humphrey Carpenter. Letter number 25 on page 32 in my copy (well it may be lette 32 on page 25 - I'm working from memory here). The exact quote is, I think, "Their ears are slightly pointed and elvish". He definitely uses the word "elvish", not "elfin" as Michael tried to imply. When this letter was written (1937/38 ish) he had been working on the world of the Silmarillion for two decades - I find it difficult to believe that a philologist such as JRRT would mis-use a word (elvish/elfin), especially when it was integral to his 'hobby' of 20 years. Anyway read it for yourself and make up your own mind.
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