Isn't it true, though, that later in his life Tolkien had some serious and conflicting questions as to how far the Silmarillion should mirror the known science of our universe? I'm specifically thinking of the fact that Tolkien did some rewriting of the earliest tales in which he rejected the idea of the flat earth origin. He stated that he was thinking of revising all of Arda to bring it more into harmony with modern ideas of the cosmogony.
If I remember corectly, Tolkien showed this new round earth version to a friend and he/she reacted negatively. Then he pulled back from that and decided to keep with the flat earth stories.
This is off the top of my head, so can anyone else remember this more clearly than I?
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The origins of most everything, with the exception of Eru, are given in the books.
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I can think of one other people who had a hidden, mysterious origin and that was the hobbits. We know about the three branches: Fallohides, Stoors, and Harfoots; (Harfeet??), and we are told they were first seen along the Anduin. But, before that, we know nothing. We do not know their "scientific" origin.
This mysterous origin may be in keeping with Tolkien's desire to portray this people as the unknown and hidden weapon which could then be used against Sauron.
Anyone else have feelings on this?
sharon, the 7th age hobbit