Without the Spirit of Fire?

[tar-ancalime]

I apologize if this is a stupid question, but:

Do you think Arda would have been better or worse if Feanor had not existed? (I hardly think "indifferent" is an option.)

[symestreem]

Aman would have been better, because the elves never would have left, and there might not have been the Kinslaying. However, if Feanor had never been born, then Serinde would not have died, Finwe would not have remarried, and Fingolfin and Finarfin would not have been born. Hence, no noble houses of the Noldor except for Finwe and his children (I'm assuming that a less fiery child than Feanor would not have killed Serinde, and they would have had other children.)
Without Feanor, Morgoth would not have been as effective in his sowing of divisions in the elves. Also, if the elves did not go to Beleriand, then men would have fallen to Morgoth. So you would have bliss in Aman for a while, but hell everywhere else. Eventually, Melkor would have gotten strong enough to challenge Aman. Who can say what would have happened?
It's kind of hard to say. Each small action that occurs causes the world to change. Have you ever heard of the butterfly theory, that if a butterfly flutters its wings over China it could cause a hurricane in Brazil? Another theory is that each of these actions causes a new world to be created, so there are trillions upon trillions of parallel universes out there. It's like a tree, always growing and branching. We can look back along our branch, but we cannot look at another branch. If you believe in clairvoyants, they can look at future branches, but they do not know which will occur. This is what Galadriel meant about the things in the Mirror not necessarily happening. So, it's hard to say. We can only guess.

[Kuruharan]

I'm going to make a definitive statement from right here in this comfortable position of straddling the fence.

I'd say, both better and worse. Whether the good outweighed the bad or vice versa would depend on the perspective.

Feanor did accomplish some things that were good in and of themselves.

The adaptation of the Tengwar, the creation of the Silmarils, and the palantiri, to name just a few.

However, he also did some things that were just downright naughty.

The Oath of Feanor and the Rebellion of the Noldor, the Kinslaying, abandoning most of the Noldor in crossing the Sea, (and some sarcastic souls might say that his having children was an unmitigated catastrophe).

An interesting thing is that if one examines the aftermath (or wreckage) of Feanor's actions, several things ultimately had an impact quite opposite from the original intent.

The creation of the Silmarils, which was not an act evil of itself, resulted in all the disasters that overtook the Noldor later. And on a much more minor scale (which is almost pitiful to note) the palantiri were turned to evil by Sauron and resulted in the overthrow of the minds of Saurman and Denethor.

But on the other hand, the Revolt of the Noldor brought the High Elves back to Middle-Earth which resulted in the edification and enlightenment of humanity, who were ultimately destined to replace the Elves in Middle-Earth. This would not have happened to the same degree if the Noldor had not returned. (No disrespect to the Sindar, but...)

So, in the end, I believe that the exact opposite of Niggle's statement at the end of Tree and Leaf applies to Feanor, it is hard to say if things in Arda would have been better or worse without him, but they would certainly have been different.

[symestreem]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

(and some sarcastic souls might say that his having children was an unmitigated catastrophe).

If he had died before he had kids, would he have gotten a Darwin Award?

[Kuruharan]

His own rascally ways would have disqualified him. He might have gotten the consolation prize: three strands from the hair of Galadriel.

[Lhunardawen]

However, if Feanor had never been born, then Serinde would not have died, Finwe would not have remarried, and Fingolfin and Finarfin would not have been born. Hence, no noble houses of the Noldor except for Finwe and his children

What is Middle-Earth without Fingolfin and Finarfin and their children? There would probably also be no Numenor and Half-elves, if you'll climb up their family trees. And Morgoth's evil will still manifest, and sooner or later there would have to be someone standing up against him aside from the Valar themselves. I don't think Feanor would ever match Fingolfin's courage in his wrath.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Reminds me of someone's comment on WWI what-ifs. Willow.

Anywhen, how could you tell better or worse? Is Arda worse because Eru allowed Melkor - and his evil - into it? I don't know.

But Arda will be changed, if that bleep is suddenly chronologically dissolved. Oh, yes, it will.

[Galadriel]

Originally Posted by tar-ancalime

I apologize if this is a stupid question, but:

Do you think Arda would have been better or worse if Feanor had not existed? (I hardly think "indifferent" is an option.)

Haha! It would have been better, but far less interesting! It certainly wouldn't have attracted a mass of drooling fans and melting puddles of fangirls that put the book up on a pedestal and worshipped it like it was Jesus+Buddha+Mohammad resurrected Also, it wouldn't have created millions of kids who started to procrastinate their schoolwork and sneak off to the loo to read their tattered copy of 'The Lord of the Rings'.

So, in a sense, for US it definitely would have been better Not that I'm complaining.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Actually a good question on alternate history in a fictional world.
It certainly would have been a less interesting, if probably a happier,
world.

As a noted author once observed:

Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and
days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much too listen
too; while things that are uncomfortable palpitating, and even gruesome,
may make a good tale, and take a deal of telling anyway.

http://youtu.be/qfKpUTZHP2k