Man behind the Mythology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-15-2004, 11:29 AM

Tree is right, Bêthberry - the picture, taken on August 9, 1973, is in Carpenter's biography and shows him standing next to one of his favourite trees, a Pinus Nigra, in the Botanic Gardens, Oxford.

Bêthberry · 05-15-2004, 07:27 PM

I wonder if that tree still stands. Perhaps, if I do make a sidetrip to Oxford this summer, I should look for it and take a photograph of it.

But now for another challenge:

What famous poet remarked that hearing Tolkien read Beowulf in class was akin to hearing Gandalf read?

**The Saucepan Man** · 05-19-2004, 02:52 AM

That would be WH Auden, who wrote:

Quote:

What an unforgettable experience it was for me as an undergraduate, hearing you recite Beowulf. The voice was the voice of Gandalf.

Bêthberry · 05-19-2004, 08:37 AM

Right you are, Sauce. I like the idea of that personal connection, the great fantasy writer teaching the one-day-to-be great modern poet. "Only connect" Auden said, I think. I wonder what kinds of reflections Tolkien's other students had.

And so, the floor is yours.... Make as much noise as you like with your question.

**The Saucepan Man** · 05-19-2004, 08:51 AM

Yes and I think that in one of the later Letters, JRRT refers to Auden as one of his great friends, despite them having only actually met on a few occasions. It would seem that their friendship blossomed through correspondence.

Thanks Bb.

Next up, and staying on the WH Auden theme:

In what way did WH Auden expose Tolkien to ridicule and cause him and, in particular, Edith much embarassment?

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-19-2004, 09:13 AM

By saying:

Quote:

He lives in a hideous house - I cannot tell you how hideous, with hideous pictures.

...publicly at a meeting of the Tolkien Society, as later reported in a London newspaper. Since he had only been in Edith's room for tea, that remark was not particularly flattering and also not true. The house was simply ordinary - something Auden hadn't expected of so extraordinary a person as Tolkien.

**The Saucepan Man** · 05-19-2004, 09:22 AM

Spot on!

It would seem that JRRT forgave him his indiscretion, though.

Well done Esty, you're up next.

05-15-2004, 11:29 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Tree is right, Bêthberry - the picture, taken on August 9, 1973, is in Carpenter's biography and shows him standing next to one of his favourite trees, a Pinus Nigra, in the Botanic Gardens, Oxford. __________________ '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...'

05-15-2004, 07:27 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Hwæt! I wonder if that tree still stands. Perhaps, if I do make a sidetrip to Oxford this summer, I should look for it and take a photograph of it. But now for another challenge: What famous poet remarked that hearing Tolkien read Beowulf in class was akin to hearing Gandalf read? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-19-2004, 08:37 AM	#4
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Right you are, Sauce. I like the idea of that personal connection, the great fantasy writer teaching the one-day-to-be great modern poet. "Only connect" Auden said, I think. I wonder what kinds of reflections Tolkien's other students had. And so, the floor is yours.... Make as much noise as you like with your question. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-19-2004, 08:51 AM	#5
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Yes and I think that in one of the later Letters, JRRT refers to Auden as one of his great friends, despite them having only actually met on a few occasions. It would seem that their friendship blossomed through correspondence. Thanks Bb. Next up, and staying on the WH Auden theme: In what way did WH Auden expose Tolkien to ridicule and cause him and, in particular, Edith much embarassment? __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

05-19-2004, 09:22 AM	#7
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Spot on! It would seem that JRRT forgave him his indiscretion, though. Well done Esty, you're up next. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!