Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: HairOfTheDog; Overtaxed
Did you guys see this article? It's kinda technical but interesting and I wondered if you have any thoughts. I don't like this guy's final conclusion, that the myths (Sun, Moon, Earendil, and the 'Breaking') should not be included. After all, the Valar are supposed to be gods, or at least demigods. If they can't do something like create the Sun out of a fruit, who can?

He wants to take out some of the most beautiful stuff, for the sake of 'consistency'. Leave well enough alone, I say.
4 posted on 03/27/2003 6:06:11 PM PST by JenB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: JenB
My head just exploded!
5 posted on 03/27/2003 6:11:18 PM PST by HairOfTheDog (May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]

To: JenB
I fell asleep.
6 posted on 03/27/2003 6:11:53 PM PST by Overtaxed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]

To: JenB
He wants to take out some of the most beautiful stuff, for the sake of 'consistency'. Leave well enough alone, I say.

I kinda liked the article myself. If one wants to approach Tolkien in a scholarly way, these items have to be considered. JRRT was sub-creating whole mythologies, complete with languages, and their own internal creation myths. A mighty big task for one man.

The problem comes when we, fans and scholars, try to see if all of his works fit together. I think Christopher Tolkien sent us down the garden path with his editing of the Silmarillion, where he used what was at hand to complete one of his father's universes. He gave us plenty of warning that it was a good-faith effort, but we shouldn't take it as gospel.

It's interesting how Tolien's successful "The Hobbit" brought a demand for more about hobbits. That, in turn, led him to use his Silmarillion universe, with modifications, as the setting for LOTR, with hobbits shoehorned in. Things grew and diverged, ("balrog wings"), and with the inclusion of material from "Unfinished Tales" guaranteed that no comprehensive canon could ever be agreed to.

I don't get upset about it. I look at all that material, and treat it like the fragments of ancient tales that have come down to us in various versions and fragments, giving us a tantalizing glimpse at a vast universe that we will never know clearly.

10 posted on 03/27/2003 7:38:24 PM PST by 300winmag
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson