An Unexpected Journey
Melanie Brister // January 18, 2013
Being a Tolkien fan is more than just watching the Lord of the Rings series, or going to see The Hobbit in theatres. It’s about nurturing a love-obsession, where you are constantly repeating Gandalf the Grey quotes, and perpetually humming the ‘The Shire’ theme from the film’s main score. It’s also about creating new habits: ensuring Orc cries travel from the television in your living room far too often, and recognizing that tea and cakes are always viable options.
Indeed, this sounds a bit obsessive, and I am the first to admit that I am way too nerdy on this topic. But, like anything you have a love-interest in, you grow close to such details. This past holiday season marked the release of Peter Jackson’s first edition of ‘The Hobbit’ in theatres, and to continue nurturing this uncanny obsession of mine, I thought it quite delightful to bring together the two things I care about most deeply: hobbits and public relations.
Popular Lord of the Rings memes often include an adaptation of the quote: ‘One does not simply walk into Mordor’, which we hear from Boromir in The Fellowship of the Ring. So, to meddle with the popularity of this quote, I have chosen to adapt it to our practice of work in that, ‘One does not simply become a public relations practitioner.’ We all agree that to be successful at our work, we are perpetually learning and adapting. This piece marks another ‘PR tips’ article, with a little bit of hobbit inspiration.
1. Always find time for afternoon tea
Aragorn: Gentlemen! We do not stop ’til nightfall.
Pippin: But what about breakfast?
Aragorn: You’ve already had it.
Pippin: We’ve had one, yes. But what about second breakfast?
[Aragorn stares at him, then walks off.]
Merry: Don’t think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.
Pippin: What about elevensies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?
Merry: I wouldn’t count on it.
(from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)
Gandalf continually reminds us that hobbits truly are ‘extraordinary creatures’, but one trait that makes them so unique is their slightly irregular eating habits that include multiple meals per day. Hobbits see these multiple dining times as not only a time for a delicious treat, but also as ample time to spend exchanging words with other hobbits (or hobbitses, as Gollum would say).
Make sure you take extra time this year to eat and drink with some of your fellow co-workers, classmates, and other professional connections. Exchanging words can lead to collaboration, which is important, and what better time to express invigorating ideas than during afternoon tea?
2. Work on your quick wit and charm
Bilbo Baggins: Why don’t we have a game of riddles?
Gollum: And if he loses? What then? Well, if he loses, precious, then we eats it! If Baggins loses, we eats it whole!
Bilbo Baggins: [shocked silence] Fair enough.
Lost in the depths of the Misty Mountains, Bilbo faces an interesting challenge when he happens upon a grotesque creature named Gollum. In conversation with Gollum, a riddle game is proposed: if Bilbo wins, Gollum has to show him the way out of the mountains. Looking past the somewhat stressful fact that the creature wants to eat him, Bilbo manages to both provide and answer riddles in a clever and thoughtful fashion. Even in near-death situations, Bilbo delivers with eloquent speech and thoughtful responses.
Public relations work requires immediate responses in stressful situations; we must be thoughtful and quick, much like Bilbo. Every PR situation or crisis is different, however, and although we may never find ourselves shaking with fear under the menacingly hungry watch of Gollum, we will find ourselves under the watchful eye of our publics.
3. Adapt to your environment
Bilbo Baggins: ‘I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led. And through the air. I am he that walks unseen. I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number. I am he that buries his friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water. I came from the end of bag, but no bag went over me. I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ring-winner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider.’
Many a time during Bilbo’s adventure he looks back and wishes he were in his hobbit-hole listening to the melodious hum of his kettle on the stove. Alas, he finds himself in very uncomfortable places, but nevertheless keeps those fond thoughts of Bag End of the Shire in his mind. Here we can learn from Bilbo that we must be able to adapt to situations which may be unfamiliar. And, although it may be out of your comfort zone, being presented with a new or difficult situation can also prove to be an enjoyable challenge. If Bilbo had not set out on his adventure, he would never have made it to Rivendell (a place he is very fond of), nor would he have seen such amounts of treasure that could surely fill his hobbit-hole many times over!
With each public relations task we take on, let us recognize its uniqueness while also remembering the public relations foundation we have been taught by the many knowledgeable professors at MSVU. This core foundation includes (but is not exclusive to) considering our audiences and proper messaging.
4. Become a truly noble hobbit or, in our case, public relations practitioner
Gandalf: “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
It may not be evident, but we are faced with situations and dilemmas each day that require us to consider what the ‘right thing to do’ in each situation is. Although it may not be as blatantly obvious as saving Middle Earth, such real situations certainly require reflection and reflexivity. Gandalf mentions the importance of everyday small deeds, and how it is those deeds that collectively keep peace and beauty in the world. This is what I think we should consider, because although each act or task we participate in may be small, if we accomplish it virtuously, we can continue striving to become the best of ourselves, both personally and as public relations practitioners.
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Melanie is currently a fourth year public relations student at MSVU. She likes reading newspapers, eating cookies, and spending quality time with her twin.
Melanie’s interests in public relations include communications theory, new media, and the cultural effects that the media has on society today. She hopes to complete her degree and continue her education in media studies.
