Off the Map

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by davem

But the interesting thing to my mind is the way this shows how the world of M-e was always in flux. Clearly Tolkien never saw the world as 'finished'.

I agree and I believe you are not implying revision here. He did state that the work itself was finished, that he cannot substantially alter it. Adding some new names on a map, in a manner that would not alter the story, would not contradict this statement from letter #131.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Raynor

I agree and I believe you are not implying revision here. He did state that the work itself was finished, that he cannot substantially alter it. Adding some new names on a map, in a manner that would not alter the story, would not contradict this statement from letter #131.

Aah, but the thing about Middle-earth is that the world seems to exist apart from the story that happens in it. And that's what interests me (though actually he did make small alterations to the story after it was first finished - 1st edition refers to the Golden House of Finrod, 2nd to the Golden House of Finarfin, however, I digress...). The story may have been finished, but the world, in small ways at least, was not - he could add - or perhaps we should say 'discover' new places as the whim took him.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

1st edition refers to the Golden House of Finrod, 2nd to the Golden House of Finarfin, however, I digress

Not exactly. The 2nd edition retained "Finrod" in that line. It's so given in my ca. 1970 printing. Changed first to Finarphin and then Finarfin post- 1973 on Christopher's recommendation. And "Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod" has never been emended.

[davem]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hickli

Not exactly. The 2nd edition retained "Finrod" in that line. It's so given in my ca. 1970 printing. Changed first to Finarphin and then Finarfin post- 1973 on Christopher's recommendation. And "Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod" has never been emended.

I stand corrected. I only have a 1965/6 first edition & a 1992 second ed along with the fifthieth anniversary h/b's.