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It is all a matter of vision: do characters see the future as immediate and infinitely limited to the present, or do they see reality as an expanse that has to be mapped as they take on the journey, or do they have a birds eye view on life, living all at once and once forever?
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I would guess the closest choice would be "an expanse that has to be mapped as they take on the journey".
It is clear that the peoples of Middle-earth knew that life continues after death. Men knew that their souls passed beyond this earth. The Dwarves knew that their souls would meet up with their creator and help him rebuild after the final battle.
I think this knowledge would make either the first or last view impossible.
[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: Eladar ]