He loved the rural countryside and the simplicity of he folk, and esteemed, I
think, the hardiness that lies inside the most stay-at-home gaffer in his hole;
but he definitely points out the limitations of hobbits and the points that his
"outstanding individuals" are notable for. It's linked to the old "Hobbit"
image of Tookishness. Singling out Sam is notable because Sam has none of the
"blood" that is Tolkien's usual way of expressing a trait -- Sam becomes
ennobled by contact and desire, not by an awakening of the noble blood, of
which he has none. Going only one generation, both Merry and Pippin are
half-Tooks like Bilbo -- Merry and Bilbo through their mothers, and Pippin, of
course, through his father. (Pippin however also has the Took *name*, with all
that
implies.)
---
The Lord of the Rings Rock Classics Soundtrack
Pirates, chiefs, queens, maidens, blue wizards, an ancient Jewel, and one incorrigibly curious hobbit: The Falcon: The Adventures of Peregrin Took. Can you ever go home again?
