Who or what are hobbits and how are they different from elves?
Hobbits are between two to four feet tall, the average height being three feet six inches. They tend towards stoutness and have slightly pointed ears[1]. Their feet are furry, with leathery soles; most Hobbits never wear shoes. It is a common misconception that Hobbits have oversized feet (helped by the recent films), but they are in fact normal in size for their height. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Living rather longer than humans, Hobbits can sometimes live for up to 130 years (with 100 years average). The time at which a young Hobbit “comes of age” is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a seventy year old Hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien’s inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of Middle-earth where the Hobbits live: “The Shire” is clearly reminiscent of the English county names (e.g., Lancashir
