Well, I'm ready with thoughts on Farmer Giles of Ham. Maybe I'm a little early, but if you haven't read it all yet, then you can just read my comments later on.
Thoughts on Farmer Giles of Ham
On the Foreword: Were there actually places in Britain called the Little Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, etc... or is this another example of Tolkien creating a mythology for his country? I think perhaps the latter.
I just love Tolkien's humor throughout the story. It's quaint but robust and wholesome somehow. Makes me want to pull out and dust off my guffaw laugh! :D
Whose illustrations are those? Not Tolkien's?!
Who is Wilkinson that it is dedicated to?
I must say that I feel sorry for the cow who gets mashed by the giant at the beginning. It seems to me she's the only one that really has it bad off. And what a snivelling little coward that dog is! I suppose Tolkien didn't have much respect for dogs. hum.
What does "dux, rex, tyrannus, et basileus mediterranearum partium subscribo" mean?
I like the bit where Tolkien says, "He [the parson] was a grammarian, and could doubtless see further into the future than others." Perhaps it's a little pat on the back for himself and other linguists.
Who are St. Hilarius and St. Felix, and what does their feast have to do with the dragon not coming back?
I love the humorous ending. That stupid giant; it's all his fault.
Do you think that there's some small connection between Farmer Giles and Tom Bombadil? Tolkien always has in his stories that simple, merry fellow who really is more than he seems....... well, maybe not.
