by Leslie » October 20th, 2005, 7:02 pm
It could be that the hobbits knew about Ilúvatar in their own way, and that no further explanation was needed.
Or, since Men have a different relationship to Ilúvatar than do the elves, it stands to reason that the hobbits' relationship would be different also. Perhaps it was not the doom of the hobbits to have any direct knowledge of Ilúvatar.
Or, Gandalf may have known that Frodo would understand who it was that had meant the Ring to come to him. Bilbo was learned in the lore of the elves, and he may have heard their creation stories, which he would have passed on to Frodo.
Or, perhaps it was not good manners to mention Ilúvatar directly? (Now I may be venturing into heretical extrapolation territory, so I'll leave this be.)
"What are you laughing at?"
"At myself. My little puny self," said Phillipa.
--Rumer Godden, In This House of Brede