Gnomes: Difference between revisions

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{{Character Data
{{Character Data
|title=Gnome
|title=Gnome
|photo=
|photo=Blank.jpg|
|names=Gnomes
|name=Distinguishes them from Pictsies
|age=  
|age=  
|race=Gnomes
|race=Gnomes
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|children=  
|children=  
|marital status=  
|marital status=  
|books= {{TLF}}, {{FOC}}, {{J}}, {{MR}}  
|books= {{TLF}}, {{FOC}}, {{J}}, {{MR}}, {{RS}}
|cameos= {{MP}}, {{TOC}}, {{NW}}  
|cameos= {{MP}}, {{TOC}}, {{NW}}  
}}
}}
'''Gnomes''' on the [[Discworld (world)|Discworld]] are six inches tall, resembling humans in general body shape, and usually live alone.  A gnome has more physical strength than his size would suggest, and sometimes gives painful, bone-cracking hits to people who have underestimated him. [[Swires]], the first gnome to appear in the ''[[Discworld]]'' chronicles, made his appearance in a forest area (''[[Book:The Light Fantastic|The Light Fantastic]]''), but in recent years, some gnomes have come to the city of [[Ankh-Morpork]] and obtained jobs as tradesmen ([[Wee Mad Arthur]], pest terminator in ''[[Book:Feet of Clay|Feet of Clay]]'') or even Watchmen ([[Buggy Swires]], first appearance as a [[Ankh-Morpork City Watch|Watchman]] in ''[[Book:Jingo|Jingo]]'').
'''Gnomes''' on the [[Discworld (world)|Discworld]] are six inches tall, resembling humans in general body shape, and usually live alone.  A gnome has more physical strength than his size would suggest, and sometimes gives painful, bone-cracking hits to people who have underestimated him. [[Swires]], the first gnome to appear in the ''[[Discworld]]'' chronicles, made his appearance in a forest area (''[[Book:The Light Fantastic|The Light Fantastic]]''), but in recent years, some gnomes have come to the city of [[Ankh-Morpork]] and obtained jobs as tradesmen ([[Wee Mad Arthur]], pest terminator in ''[[Book:Feet of Clay|Feet of Clay]]'') or even Watchmen ([[Buggy Swires]], first appearance as a [[Ankh-Morpork City Watch|Watchman]] in ''[[Book:Jingo|Jingo]]'').


Gnomes appear to be identical to the Ramtops [[Pictsies]] but they are found as individual examples; there is no mention of a Gnome society. They may be exiles from the hive-like societies that created them. Wee Mad Arthur is very like the Feegles; Buggy Swires less so, although he uses the same bird-taming method as Hamish the Aviator.
Gnomes appear to be identical to the Ramtops [[Pictsies]] but they are found as individual examples; there is no mention of a Gnome society. They may be exiles from the hive-like societies that created them. Wee Mad Arthur is very like the Feegles (for reasons which are finally explained in {{ISWM}}); Buggy Swires less so, although he uses the same bird-taming method as Hamish the Aviator.


The differences between the Gnomes and the Pictsies can be likened to the rivalries between the Jocks (Scots, so Pictsies) and the Geordies (Northern English, like the Gnomes).
The differences between the Gnomes and the Pictsies can be likened to the rivalries between the Jocks (Scots, so Pictsies) and the Geordies (Northern English, like the Gnomes).
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In other words, ''gnomes'' made Hex's scanner-analogue, and work as jewelers in [[Ankh-Morpork]], presumably on the (logical) basis that their tiny hands and fingers would be ideal for incredibly fine metalwork of any kind. This presumes a settled people with mechanical/engineering knowledge and a certain amount of intellectual curiosity.  These may be the famed ''Gnomes of Dzu'rich'', yet we've only so far met the ''other'' sort of gnome, whose relationship with precious metals and stones would be limited to how much they can carry after robbing the jewelers.
In other words, ''gnomes'' made Hex's scanner-analogue, and work as jewelers in [[Ankh-Morpork]], presumably on the (logical) basis that their tiny hands and fingers would be ideal for incredibly fine metalwork of any kind. This presumes a settled people with mechanical/engineering knowledge and a certain amount of intellectual curiosity.  These may be the famed ''Gnomes of Dzu'rich'', yet we've only so far met the ''other'' sort of gnome, whose relationship with precious metals and stones would be limited to how much they can carry after robbing the jewelers.


However Gnomes, unlike Pictsies, are generally more reliable and sensible (and other words ending in …ible) so could hold down jobs as jewellers, or glass blowers, or as we have seen: working in puppet shows. ([[Short Story:Theatre of Cruelty| Theatre of Cruelty]]).
However Gnomes, unlike Pictsies, are generally more reliable and sensible (and other words ending in …ible) so could hold down jobs as jewelers, or glass blowers, or as we have seen: working in puppet shows. ({{TOC}}).


'''Behind the scenes'''
[[Book:The Ankh-Morpork Post Office Handbook Diary 2007|The Ankh-Morpork Post Office Handbook Diary 2007]] mentions that the [[Post Office]] has invited  gnomes along with small [[gargoyles]] to take up residence inside post-boxes in order to keep the mail safe and to keep it free from pests that would damage the postage.
''Gnomes'' are not to be confused with ''[[Nomes|nomes]]'', which are the protagonists in the [[:Category:Bromeliad series|Bromeliad series]]. (Except that they're both sub-miniature humanoids living a mainly parasitic existence beneath the notice of the "biggers". So go ahead, be confused.) Gnomes are found on Discworld; Nomes are probably on [[Roundworld]] (cf. {{wp|The Borrowers|the "Borrowers"}}).  


'''List of Gnomes'''
In {{RS}}, a colony of Gnomes, who live along the Railway line to [[Überwald]], are now under the employ of Lord Sir [[Harry King]] and the [[Ankh-Morpork and Sto Plains Hygienic Railway]], holding down the fort at one of the Uberwald route's coal and water stops. 


'''Gnomes''' are not to be confused with '''[[Nomes|nomes]]''', which are the protagonists in the [[:Category:Bromeliad series|Bromeliad series]]. (Except that they're both sub-miniature humanoids living a mainly parasitic existence beneath the notice of the "biggers". So go ahead, be confused.) Gnomes are found on Discworld; Nomes are probably on [[Roundworld]] (cf. {{wp|The Borrowers|the "Borrowers"}}).
==List of Gnomes==
* [[Buggy Swires]], constable in the AM Watch
* [[Buggy Swires]], constable in the AM Watch
* [[Sniddin]] was a gnome actor in {{MP}}
* [[Sniddin]] was a gnome actor in {{MP}}
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* [[Swires]] (an early version, maybe)
* [[Swires]] (an early version, maybe)
* A male in red, female called Judy, another male dressed as a policeman and baby Gnome from {{TOC}}.  They also have a tiny dog called Toby and a very small crocodile (which must be gnome animals)
* A male in red, female called Judy, another male dressed as a policeman and baby Gnome from {{TOC}}.  They also have a tiny dog called Toby and a very small crocodile (which must be gnome animals)
==Annotation==
Despite updating up to the novel [[Book:Snuff|Snuff]], the Discworld Companion [[Book:Turtle Recall|Turtle Recall]] retains a mistake from its previous entries still states that Gnomes, [[Goblins]] and [[Pictsies]] are all the same species despite the fact that there is ample evidence that all three are separate, distinct species. Most of this information comes from [[Book:Snuff|Snuff]]. This error may stem in part from early versions of {{TOC}}, in which "goblin" was used as well as "gnome" to refer to the members of the performing troupe of gnomes.


[[Category:Discworld humanoid species]]
[[Category:Discworld humanoid species]]
[[de:Gnome]]
[[de:Gnome]]

Latest revision as of 07:17, 26 September 2023

Gnome
Name Distinguishes them from Pictsies
Race Gnomes
Age
Occupation stealing, fighting, drinking, watchmen, rat catchers
Physical appearance small but very strong
Residence Ankh-Morpork, Skund
Death
Parents
Relatives
Children
Marital Status
Appearances
Books The Light Fantastic, Feet of Clay, Jingo, Monstrous Regiment, Raising Steam
Cameos Moving Pictures, Theatre of Cruelty, Night Watch

Gnomes on the Discworld are six inches tall, resembling humans in general body shape, and usually live alone. A gnome has more physical strength than his size would suggest, and sometimes gives painful, bone-cracking hits to people who have underestimated him. Swires, the first gnome to appear in the Discworld chronicles, made his appearance in a forest area (The Light Fantastic), but in recent years, some gnomes have come to the city of Ankh-Morpork and obtained jobs as tradesmen (Wee Mad Arthur, pest terminator in Feet of Clay) or even Watchmen (Buggy Swires, first appearance as a Watchman in Jingo).

Gnomes appear to be identical to the Ramtops Pictsies but they are found as individual examples; there is no mention of a Gnome society. They may be exiles from the hive-like societies that created them. Wee Mad Arthur is very like the Feegles (for reasons which are finally explained in I Shall Wear Midnight); Buggy Swires less so, although he uses the same bird-taming method as Hamish the Aviator.

The differences between the Gnomes and the Pictsies can be likened to the rivalries between the Jocks (Scots, so Pictsies) and the Geordies (Northern English, like the Gnomes).

In The Science of Discworld II: the Globe Ponder Stibbons and Rincewind are consulting with Hex concerning the difficulties the Faculty are having with a viral infestation of Elves on Roundworld.

A mechanical eyeball about a foot across lowered itself carefully from the ceiling. Ponder didn't know exactly how it worked, except that it contained vast amounts of incredibly finely drawn tubing. Hex had drawn the plans one night and Ponder had taken them along to the gnome jewelers... (The Science of Discworld II: the Globe, p14).

In other words, gnomes made Hex's scanner-analogue, and work as jewelers in Ankh-Morpork, presumably on the (logical) basis that their tiny hands and fingers would be ideal for incredibly fine metalwork of any kind. This presumes a settled people with mechanical/engineering knowledge and a certain amount of intellectual curiosity. These may be the famed Gnomes of Dzu'rich, yet we've only so far met the other sort of gnome, whose relationship with precious metals and stones would be limited to how much they can carry after robbing the jewelers.

However Gnomes, unlike Pictsies, are generally more reliable and sensible (and other words ending in …ible) so could hold down jobs as jewelers, or glass blowers, or as we have seen: working in puppet shows. (Theatre of Cruelty).

The Ankh-Morpork Post Office Handbook Diary 2007 mentions that the Post Office has invited gnomes along with small gargoyles to take up residence inside post-boxes in order to keep the mail safe and to keep it free from pests that would damage the postage.

In Raising Steam, a colony of Gnomes, who live along the Railway line to Überwald, are now under the employ of Lord Sir Harry King and the Ankh-Morpork and Sto Plains Hygienic Railway, holding down the fort at one of the Uberwald route's coal and water stops.

Gnomes are not to be confused with nomes, which are the protagonists in the Bromeliad series. (Except that they're both sub-miniature humanoids living a mainly parasitic existence beneath the notice of the "biggers". So go ahead, be confused.) Gnomes are found on Discworld; Nomes are probably on Roundworld (cf. the "Borrowers").

List of Gnomes

Annotation

Despite updating up to the novel Snuff, the Discworld Companion Turtle Recall retains a mistake from its previous entries still states that Gnomes, Goblins and Pictsies are all the same species despite the fact that there is ample evidence that all three are separate, distinct species. Most of this information comes from Snuff. This error may stem in part from early versions of Theatre of Cruelty, in which "goblin" was used as well as "gnome" to refer to the members of the performing troupe of gnomes.