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Bêthberry · 11-04-2004, 01:35 PM

What I find fascinating is the absence of a particular kind of tower--or, at least, a tower of legend. Or perhaps I have forgotten about a reference?

Tolkien 'builds' mythological references into his Legendarium--Akallabêth is a rewriting of the Atlantis myth. And he is profoundly interested in language. Yet his Legendarium does not have something like the Tower of Babel to account for the diversity of languages. Perhaps his professional interest in philology meant he lacked sufficient interest in this event?

Can anyone recall anything in the Letters about the Tower of Babel?

11-04-2004, 01:35 PM	#9
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,046	A towering absence What I find fascinating is the absence of a particular kind of tower--or, at least, a tower of legend. Or perhaps I have forgotten about a reference? Tolkien 'builds' mythological references into his Legendarium--Akallabêth is a rewriting of the Atlantis myth. And he is profoundly interested in language. Yet his Legendarium does not have something like the Tower of Babel to account for the diversity of languages. Perhaps his professional interest in philology meant he lacked sufficient interest in this event? Can anyone recall anything in the Letters about the Tower of Babel? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.