Man behind the Mythology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 04-26-2005, 07:15 PM

Perhaps easy, but a sombre one as well.

It was G.B Smith, one of Tolkien's school mates, a member of the T.C.B.S. who had read Tolkien's early poetry and shared the early ideas and excitement about writing. Smith wrote those words to Tolkien shortly before he was was himself killed in World War I when a shell burst behind him while walking down a village road.

elronds_daughter · 04-27-2005, 05:35 PM

Well done, Bb. As I said, 'twas easy. Carry on!

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-11-2005, 12:36 PM

*Esty pokes Miz Berry...

Bêthberry · 05-12-2005, 08:05 AM

I wonder if this will be acceptable as a biographical tidbit.

Tolkien was not entirely happy with the surname "Gamgee." What name would he have preferred to change Gamgee to, if Christopher had let him? (And, yes, that "let him" is a quote!)

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-16-2005, 04:10 AM

Thanks to the excellent index in Letters, this was easy to find! (Happily for me, since I've not the time and energy for a lengthy search.) Here's the answer straight from Letter #72:

Quote:

I am not really satisfied with the surname Gamgee and shd. change it to Goodchild if I thought you would let me.

Now, we've seen that surname used on this site, haven't we? *Esty points in the direction of 'Cami'...

Bêthberry · 05-16-2005, 05:20 AM

You're on the money, Estelyn!

And right also about our good Shire Mod, Cami Goodchild, aka Child of the 7th Age. When I saw that letter, I just had to use it to provide a small acknowledgement for her.

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-20-2005, 03:51 AM

To which type of building did Tolkien compare Beowulf, especially in the light of literary criticism's handling of the text?

04-26-2005, 07:15 PM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,007	Perhaps easy, but a sombre one as well. It was G.B Smith, one of Tolkien's school mates, a member of the T.C.B.S. who had read Tolkien's early poetry and shared the early ideas and excitement about writing. Smith wrote those words to Tolkien shortly before he was was himself killed in World War I when a shell burst behind him while walking down a village road. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away. Last edited by Bêthberry; 04-26-2005 at 07:21 PM.

04-27-2005, 05:35 PM	#2
elronds_daughter Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Location: Between the fortune cookie and the post-its. Posts: 644	Well done, Bb. As I said, 'twas easy. Carry on! __________________ I'd like to be the king of all Londinium and wear a shiny hat.

05-11-2005, 12:36 PM	#3
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	*Esty pokes Miz Berry... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

05-12-2005, 08:05 AM	#4
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,007	A rose by any other name I wonder if this will be acceptable as a biographical tidbit. Tolkien was not entirely happy with the surname "Gamgee." What name would he have preferred to change Gamgee to, if Christopher had let him? (And, yes, that "let him" is a quote!) __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-16-2005, 05:20 AM	#6
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,007	A mod by any other name You're on the money, Estelyn! And right also about our good Shire Mod, Cami Goodchild, aka Child of the 7th Age. When I saw that letter, I just had to use it to provide a small acknowledgement for her. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-20-2005, 03:51 AM	#7
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	To which type of building did Tolkien compare Beowulf, especially in the light of literary criticism's handling of the text? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

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