The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - the HoM-E/UT Society ~ following the Legendarium from c.1915

**lindil** · 04-13-2003, 06:54 AM

*gavel bangs thrice*

The society is now in session.

There is a rather common [but to my mind, no less true] esoteric idea that the begining of something contains the essence and [in microcosmic form] the entirety of the pattern to follow [though there are unpredictable hazard points, thank God].

The first chapter of the Book of Lost Tales is certainly an excellent case in point.

spoilers below ~~~ in case you want to begin the Series with a minimum of my spin on things

In addition to the original intro to the 'Silmarillion' cyle; the story of Eriol finding the 'Cottage of Lost Play' on Tol Eressea/England, and the subsequent revelation to Eriol of the Olore Malle, we already are given an early view of one of JRRT's 'goals', as I perceive it anyway.

This is the recurring theme of the joys of a community passing on their 'tales', and perhaps of no less import, the hospitality often surrounding it. I am thinking here of Rivendell, Sam reading to his kids [and anyone in the Shire who will listen], the Valar transmitting the Ainulindale [and indeed all of the History of Arda prior to the coming of the 3 kindreds to Aman], Finrod's welcoming [and undoubtedly teaching the clan of Beor] and even further back to the Avari [despite the oft-mentioned 'dark/wild' streak] teaching [some] Edain language and some rudimentary history and lore [and prob as sophisticated an 'survival-lore' as they trusted another culture with, or they could pick up.

All of this is foreshadowed or introduced in the very first few pages of the Lost Tales.

But the real treasure to me lies in the poems at the back of the chapter, especially the second sequence. Here CJRT gives us Kortirion of the Tree's in 3 versions dating from 1915, 1937 and c.1962.

And it is no minor poem!

'the Trees' as JRRT calls it when discussing it's possible [alas unrealised] inclusion in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil surveys three different treatments [all baring his innermost associations ]over the course of 50 years! of how he conceived of the Elves 'fading' and yet still abiding.

To me the state/sense of longing of the Eldar sprinkled throughout the Legendarium is given it's most detailed and personal treatment by JRRT. Equaly striking is CJRT's almost complete lack of commenting on this. Too close to home it seems.

It is also fascinating to note that even as late as the 60's he was still deeply holding the idea [at least in this poem] of the Eldar of Legendarium lingering still in England, a sort of Middle-Earth/England treatment of the Smith of Wooton Major idea.

In connection with this I want to share an utterly fascinating excerpt from
The Book of Herbal Wisdom by MAtthew Wood [and the title is no exaggerration at all]. But it will have to wait as the main part of my library is currently serving as guest room...

~~~

but there it is to me at any rate, the essence of the legendarium all contained in the first chapter of the Book of Lost Tales I

04-13-2003, 06:54 AM	#13
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	gavel bangs thrice The society is now in session. There is a rather common [but to my mind, no less true] esoteric idea that the begining of something contains the essence and [in microcosmic form] the entirety of the pattern to follow [though there are unpredictable hazard points, thank God]. The first chapter of the Book of Lost Tales is certainly an excellent case in point. spoilers below ~~~ in case you want to begin the Series with a minimum of my spin on things In addition to the original intro to the 'Silmarillion' cyle; the story of Eriol finding the 'Cottage of Lost Play' on Tol Eressea/England, and the subsequent revelation to Eriol of the Olore Malle, we already are given an early view of one of JRRT's 'goals', as I perceive it anyway. This is the recurring theme of the joys of a community passing on their 'tales', and perhaps of no less import, the hospitality often surrounding it. I am thinking here of Rivendell, Sam reading to his kids [and anyone in the Shire who will listen], the Valar transmitting the Ainulindale [and indeed all of the History of Arda prior to the coming of the 3 kindreds to Aman], Finrod's welcoming [and undoubtedly teaching the clan of Beor] and even further back to the Avari [despite the oft-mentioned 'dark/wild' streak] teaching [some] Edain language and some rudimentary history and lore [and prob as sophisticated an 'survival-lore' as they trusted another culture with, or they could pick up. All of this is foreshadowed or introduced in the very first few pages of the Lost Tales. But the real treasure to me lies in the poems at the back of the chapter, especially the second sequence. Here CJRT gives us Kortirion of the Tree's in 3 versions dating from 1915, 1937 and c.1962. And it is no minor poem! 'the Trees' as JRRT calls it when discussing it's possible [alas unrealised] inclusion in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil surveys three different treatments [all baring his innermost associations ]over the course of 50 years! of how he conceived of the Elves 'fading' and yet still abiding. To me the state/sense of longing of the Eldar sprinkled throughout the Legendarium is given it's most detailed and personal treatment by JRRT. Equaly striking is CJRT's almost complete lack of commenting on this. Too close to home it seems. It is also fascinating to note that even as late as the 60's he was still deeply holding the idea [at least in this poem] of the Eldar of Legendarium lingering still in England, a sort of Middle-Earth/England treatment of the Smith of Wooton Major idea. In connection with this I want to share an utterly fascinating excerpt from The Book of Herbal Wisdom by MAtthew Wood [and the title is no exaggerration at all]. But it will have to wait as the main part of my library is currently serving as guest room... ~~~ but there it is to me at any rate, the essence of the legendarium all contained in the first chapter of the Book of Lost Tales I __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.