The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Creating a new Silmarillion -- some ideas...

***Mithadan*** · 09-15-2000, 06:10 AM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 65</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
New Silmarillion

Michael and Saulotus - Despite the fact that you appear to disagree with one another, I agree with you both to a degree.

Barring the discovery of a lost and unpublished text, I think that JRRT's desire to rework the fundamental cosmology of the Trees and the Sun and Moon cannot be accomplished and should not be attempted in this format. JRRT's proposed change is too fundamental and impacts on too many other tales and themes for us to attempt to incorporate it into a "canon" as anything other than a footnote. In another thread, I commented that the "round earth" theory impacts upon the tales regarding: (1) the pillars; (2) Varda's creation of the stars; (3) the coming of the elves; (4)the creation of the Trees; (5) the destruction of the trees; (6) the geography of Ea; (7) the coming of men; (<img src=cool.gif ALT="8)"> the star of Earendil; (9) Numenor and its Downfall; and (10)the Straight Road. Are we entitled to meddle to this extent in JRRT's work without more guidance from the author and still call this a "canon"? In my opinion, no. We would transgress the line between creating a historical work and creating new fiction. A great tale might be a conversation between elves in Eressea in which they laugh about man's cosmological beliefs and set the record straight but this would be fan fiction, not canon. Hmmmm, I might take that one on myself. Actually, I think I will.

Saulotus, I agree with you that our efforts (or lack thereof) suffer from a major problem. We have put the horse before the cart. We are trying to decide how to write and what to include in a "canon", without deciding what the "canon" will be. I have said this many times before and venture to foretell that if this basic issue is not resolved, there may be no canon. If we don't decide what we are to be writing, we cannot write it. My opinion? Annotate the Silmarillion, chapter by chapter. This will allow for a degree of creativity while still allowing us to cite the sources of our material. We also need to determine who is on board, because this will determine the scope. Ten people working can do more than three.

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09-15-2000, 06:10 AM	#4
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,313	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit Posts: 65</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> New Silmarillion Michael and Saulotus - Despite the fact that you appear to disagree with one another, I agree with you both to a degree. Barring the discovery of a lost and unpublished text, I think that JRRT's desire to rework the fundamental cosmology of the Trees and the Sun and Moon cannot be accomplished and should not be attempted in this format. JRRT's proposed change is too fundamental and impacts on too many other tales and themes for us to attempt to incorporate it into a "canon" as anything other than a footnote. In another thread, I commented that the "round earth" theory impacts upon the tales regarding: (1) the pillars; (2) Varda's creation of the stars; (3) the coming of the elves; (4)the creation of the Trees; (5) the destruction of the trees; (6) the geography of Ea; (7) the coming of men; (<img src=cool.gif ALT="8)"> the star of Earendil; (9) Numenor and its Downfall; and (10)the Straight Road. Are we entitled to meddle to this extent in JRRT's work without more guidance from the author and still call this a "canon"? In my opinion, no. We would transgress the line between creating a historical work and creating new fiction. A great tale might be a conversation between elves in Eressea in which they laugh about man's cosmological beliefs and set the record straight but this would be fan fiction, not canon. Hmmmm, I might take that one on myself. Actually, I think I will. Saulotus, I agree with you that our efforts (or lack thereof) suffer from a major problem. We have put the horse before the cart. We are trying to decide how to write and what to include in a "canon", without deciding what the "canon" will be. I have said this many times before and venture to foretell that if this basic issue is not resolved, there may be no canon. If we don't decide what we are to be writing, we cannot write it. My opinion? Annotate the Silmarillion, chapter by chapter. This will allow for a degree of creativity while still allowing us to cite the sources of our material. We also need to determine who is on board, because this will determine the scope. Ten people working can do more than three. </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.