Teletubbies and The Time Machine

A Study in Comparative Mythology

the Teletubbies

Hypothesis : Teletubby is to Hobbit as Eloi is to Human.

In H.G. Wells' novel "The Time Machine", the human race of the future has evolved into two distinct species. The Eloi are described as beautiful but frail, childlike creatures. They live effortless, pampered lives, with all their needs catered to, but with no need to toil or struggle the intelligence and vitality humans once had is waning. We discover later the horrible truth behind their seemingly idyllic existence - they are merely farm animals, maintained and controlled by the other branch of humanity, the Morlocks. The Morlocks live below ground, and operate the machines which give the Eloi their happy, ignorant existence.

Now let us consider the Teletubbies. A Teletubby is a plump, short, furry creature who lives in a nice, clean, comfortable hole in the ground. Happy, colourful, childlike beings they spend their time playing games and singing songs. Their food is provided from machines in their home and their environment is cleaned by an autonomous robotic housekeeper known only as the Noo-Noo. But their lives are controlled by mysterious influences we never see — sinister microphones emerge from the ground and issue orders such as "time for Tubby bye-bye" which are unquestioningly obeyed.

a pastoral scene in Hobbiton

Peter Jackson's vision of Hobbiton

tubbyland

Bag End in the year 802,701?

The evidence is clear — Teletubbies are the Hobbit Eloi of the future. The seeds of this division may have been sown by Saruman, when he first introduced mechanisation to the Shire and set rival groups of hobbits against each other. But questions remain. Who now controls the microphones? If it is, as I believe, the other evolutionary branch of the future Hobbit, what do they look like and what are their plans for Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, La La and Po? How does the bizarre baby in the sun fit in? Why all the bunnies?

The Teletubbies, like Hobbits and Eloi are an example of the oppressed tribe/family archetype reborn in a contemporary mythological landscape. Are we instinctively drawn to these characters because they call on ancient paradigms deep in the "collective unconscious"? Is it all just a socialist allegory? Or perhaps I should just go and have a quiet lie down somewhere? Look at the evidence and decide for yourselves.