What gives with Thanksgiving?/silly characters

[Tabouli]

Wanda:
> Happy Thanksgiving to everybody in Canada!

Y'know, I've never quite figured out this whole Thanksgiving celebration.  I know it's something to do with pilgrims, and that it's in October-November, and often involves a turkey, but as for what it's actually celebrating I have no clue.  No doubt I could look it up, but I'm too lazy: can someone enlighten me?

Also, how old do people think Lockhart is meant to be?  I note that as a Lockhart fan I seem to be in a minority - sure, he's over the top, but I find him very amusing.  I also note that I am coming under fire for my tastes in somewhat silly, over-the-top characters...

David;
> Absolutely wrong.  How dare you say that about Tom Bombadil.  He is 
without doubt the most irritating character in the whole book and 
deserves to be cut.  And, furthermore, (cont p94.)

(Tabouli casts aside her battered bulletproof vest and takes up her sword and shield from the riverside).  Wot?  You don't like Tom Bombadil?  Fie, knave, I shall have thee roasting over my fire the day - en garde!

I've always liked the first book of LOTR best, perhaps because it feels less grim and heavy than the rest.  The hobbits are still fresh and innocent, the Old Forest is deliciously creepy, and Tom is wonderfully whimsical, with his silly outfits and silly songs and ponies with silly names.  I can see how he might irritate those whose sense of humour is less developed than mine (ha!  A cut to the kidneys with the dagger), but hey, humour is rare in Tolkien - we need to appreciate it where we find it.

Derry dol my hearties,

Tabouli.


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