(no subject)

[derien]

Today, Derien travelled 1.08 miles on the journey from Bag End to Rivendell.

Reached edges of Farmer Maggot's fields.

A total of 61.04 miles along the way.

Generated by Eor's Walk Tool inspired by Eowyn Challenge.net

Why did Tolkien name him Farmer Maggot? Was it just to build up that sense of fear and distrust before he invited them in for dinner and turned out to be a sterling fellow?

Comments

[storyfan]

Your comment about Farmer Maggot made me think about character names. Many authors agonize over what to call major and minor characters, and I think that's only right. A name either has to fit the character very well or it has to surprise the reader in a good/bad way. I would expect Farmer Maggot to be a cross, crotchety person, but you call him a "sterling fellow." I imagine Tolkien planned for the reader to react just the way you did.

[derien]

I know I usually agonize over character names, and every time I try to throw caution to the winds and just slap a name on someone I regret it later. Usually one can run a 'find/replace,' these days, but imagine how it was before word processing. :)