Outsiders was a term used by Shire-hobbits to describe all the Hobbits who lived outside the Shire, including Bree-hobbits. Shire-folk considered all Outsiders dull and uncouth, taking little interest in them.[1]
Outsiders were scattered across the Westlands and significantly more numerous than the people of the Shire realized. Some of Outsiders were wanderers, who didn't settle for long periods of time in any particular place, instead digging holes in banks and staying there only as long as it suited them, while other Outsiders, like the inhabitants of Bree-land, were as settled, prosperous and civilized as their distant relatives living in the Shire.[1].
Other meanings of the term
In a more general sense the term Outsiders was used by Shire-hobbits to describe all people living outside the Shire. Bounders were guarding the borders of the Shire to prevent nuisance from Outsiders of any kind, great or small[2].
On the other hand, Bree-landers used the term Outsiders to describe all people living outside Bree-land, including hobbits of the Shire.[3]
Other versions of the legendarium
In earlier drafts of the "Lord of the Rings" Tolkien used the term "wild hobbits" to describe Hobbits who lived lonely here and there in Eriador (outside of the Shire and Bree) and in the eaves of Mirkwood.[4][5] "Rangers" was another term synonymous with "wild hobbits".[6] In some versions Trotter was considered one of these wild hobbits[6].
External links
- Tolkien's Ring: Hobbits as Tramps?
- Zenopus Archives: Tolkien's Wild Hobbits
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony", p. 150
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Of the Ordering of the Shire", p. 10
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony", p. 154
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "I. The Prologue"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: IX. Trotter and the Journey to Weathertop", p. 166
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow