What Tech Level is the Hobbit?

[JoeGKushner]

I know this may sound strange, but reading it again...

Clocks

Door Bells

Fireworks

A few other bits here and there that just don't seem to be a typical low fantasy bit but that could just be because I don't know when things like door bells and clocks were in common useage.

Also a lot of little bits here and there that reflect a messed up world. Big villains mentioned that are off stage like the Necromancer, a lack of warriors or heroes forcing the mto use a burglar, trolls with names like William... it's one heck of a read so far.

 

[diaglo]

I know this may sound strange, but reading it again...

Clocks

Door Bells

Fireworks

A few other bits here and there that just don't seem to be a typical low fantasy bit but that could just be because I don't know when things like door bells and clocks were in common useage.

Also a lot of little bits here and there that reflect a messed up world. Big villains mentioned that are off stage like the Necromancer, a lack of warriors or heroes forcing the mto use a burglar, trolls with names like William... it's one heck of a read so far.

door bell. a string on the outside of the door attached to bells on the interior. no electricity involved.

fireworks. been around for centuries. same with water clocks.

 

[WayneLigon]

It's more of that 'fairy tale' feel, definately. I'm surprised how no-one ever mentions that Middle-Earth uses our real-world calender

The Necromancer, we later find out, is the shadow of Sauron.

 

[JoeGKushner]

door bell. a string on the outside of the door attached to bells on the interior. no electricity involved.

fireworks. been around for centuries. same with water clocks.

It's going to sound stupid, but I never even though of a string on the outside door! Living in the modern era too long!

 

[Nikosandros]

IIRC, Tolkien wrote that he later regretted having placed anachronisms such as umbrella in The Hobbit, once that tale had been integrated with LotR and the rest of the serious "mythology".

 

[Munin]

It's worth mentioning that the crossbow and platemail are not canon. Tolkien specifically excluded anything that would give the LoTR a late medeival feel.

 

[Vanye]

my take

I've always felt that the Hobbit had an early Dark Ages/medieval feel, as after the fall of empire, people were struggling to maintain civiliaztion.

Of course, that's exactly what it was like, after the fall of Nuemenor and it's child kingdoms, before the Renaissance of Gondor in the 4th Age...

 

[JoeGKushner]

It's more of that 'fairy tale' feel, definately. I'm surprised how no-one ever mentions that Middle-Earth uses our real-world calender

The Necromancer, we later find out, is the shadow of Sauron.

The shadow of Sauron?

 

[jester47]

One thing that always drove me nuts was Tolkeins Ret Conning of his own work.

For example, when he wrote the hobbit the elves were elves and not the same species as humans. But later he comes in and say "well I should have not used the word elf as they are simply higher humans...." or somthing to that effect.

Bullpocky.

They were different from humans in the hobbit and you meant it that way. And the LotR is a sql to said story. Stop trying to be so darned mature!

I think the inventiveness of the hobbits shows that they have been at peace for a long time and have turned their talents to developing peaceful applications like umbrellas, and a few anachronisms. If anyone were to invent a labor saving device it would be the hobbits.

 

[Stormborn]

The shadow of Sauron?

Yeah, in the LotR Gandalf mentions having driven the shadow out of mirkwood, which turns out to be weakened, possibly incoporeal, Sauron. The spirit then goes back to Mordor and starts rebuilding himself.