The White Council

Re: The pointy-ear thing

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

: : : Even if we assume that Tolkien was actually referring to Elfs : : :(as oppossed to Elves) we are still left with Hobbits with : : : slightly pointed ears. I've fought against the pointy ear : : : concept for years, always arguing that D&D or other RPG's : : : were responsible. But some one threw the above quote at me, : : : and no matter how I try to reinterpret it, I come up with : : : ears that are not round like humans. The question is a matter : : : of degree. Michael feels that that the ears are not : : : noticeably different. And since Tolkien never mentions it in : : : the book Michael's argument seems strong. But Tolkien never : : : mentions in the Hobbit that Bilbo wore boots that he received : : : in Rivendell for climbing over the Misty Mountains, and : : : though it's a minor point (no pun intended) there is a : : : discernible difference between a shod and unshod foot. : : : Arguing that pointed ears are never mentioned in the book is : : : not a valid argument if (and this is important), if Tolkien : : : wrote the letter after publishing LOTR or the Hobbit.

: : : : The Letter in question was written to someone from (I think) : : Houghton Mifflin in the USA who was inquiring whether JRRT had : : any drawings of Hobbits that could be used for the cover of : : 'The Hobbit'. JRRT said that his artistic skills weren't up to : : the job but then went on to describe Hobbits.

: What people often overlook as well is the fact that THE HOBBIT at this time had nothing to do with Tolkien's Elvish mythology. It had borrowed a few names and ideas but was really a completely separate story. That mythology had not been published and could in no way provide any framework for Tolkien's comment.

: The Hobbits were not conceived of as anything other than creatures of fantasy, and Tolkien only later on decided to merge the two worlds. One might as well cite Collingwood on the ancient Germans as use this letter to establish that Tolkien's Elves had pointed ears: the two sources have equal relevance.

Then I assume that Tolkien later retracted his discription? If so I'm happy to hear it, since I've spent most the last thirty years thinking Elves looked just like us. Of course if Gary Gygax is acting as consultant, which way will the "ear" question go? Do D&D Elves have pointy ears? I've played D&D, but can't remember how they were described.