Why is enigma pretty much tied with maia and earth spirit... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

obloquy · 07-31-2001, 10:31 AM

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Re: Why is enigma pretty much tied with maia and earth spiri

When I read Athrabeth I got the impression that Tolkien was opening up a new possible history for Men; one much deeper that brought them closer akin to the Elves. Not that he was declaring it as the truth, but that he was tying in the real world religious beliefs -- which typically state that Man's mortality was a result of his sin -- as a possibility that would be either adopted or rejected as he continued to ponder his world.

Then again, it may be that he intended for Andreth's account to continue as just a legend among the Edain until the Elves were gone, and thereafter rise to full-fledged religion with many different branches. This would imply that in Tolkien's fictional world, modern-day Man's biblical beliefs would be based on a story that our ancestors cooked up because of jealousy or fear.

That's just what I got out of it. Theology aside, the conversation is very moving.

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07-31-2001, 10:31 AM	#11
obloquy Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: WA Posts: 941	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Animated Skeleton Posts: 40</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Why is enigma pretty much tied with maia and earth spiri When I read Athrabeth I got the impression that Tolkien was opening up a new possible history for Men; one much deeper that brought them closer akin to the Elves. Not that he was declaring it as the truth, but that he was tying in the real world religious beliefs -- which typically state that Man's mortality was a result of his sin -- as a possibility that would be either adopted or rejected as he continued to ponder his world. Then again, it may be that he intended for Andreth's account to continue as just a legend among the Edain until the Elves were gone, and thereafter rise to full-fledged religion with many different branches. This would imply that in Tolkien's fictional world, modern-day Man's biblical beliefs would be based on a story that our ancestors cooked up because of jealousy or fear. That's just what I got out of it. Theology aside, the conversation is very moving. </p>