[Bill Ferny]

Now you people really disagree on every word I say!

I totally disagree!! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Well, just between you and me, way too much emphasis is placed on the letters and HoME on this site. Mr. Christopher Tolkien had at his disposal all the material found in these sources when he put together the Silm. He chose not to use this material, I must assume, because this material was not consistent with themes presented in the original Silm. According to Mr. Christopher Tolkien:

It became clear to me that to attempt to present, within the covers of a single book, the diversity of the materials—to show the Silmarillion as in truth a continuing and evolving creation extending over more than half a century—would in fact lead only to confusion and the submerging of what is essential. I set myself therefore to work out a single text, selecting and arranging in such a way as seemed to me to produce the most coherent and internally self-consistent narrative.

It seems to me that special attention should be paid to the wise of Eressëa. Tolkien’s later writings may not be compatible with the mythology of his earlier writings. This, once again according to Mr. Christopher Tolkien: “In his later writing mythology and poetry sank down behind his theological and philosophical preoccupations: from which arose incompatibilities of tone.”