Man behind the Mythology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

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.

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-19-2004, 11:20 AM

At JRR and Edith Tolkien's Golden Wedding Anniversary, a special musical performance was one of the highlights. What was sung and by whom?

Child of the 7th Age · 05-19-2004, 12:24 PM

I believe that would be a performance of Tolkien's song cycle The Road Goes Ever On. The composer Donald Swann was at the piano and a gentleman appropiately named William Elvin sang the songs.

That took place in 1966 at Merton College.

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-19-2004, 12:25 PM

That's right, Child - and a-one, a-two... - take it away!

05-19-2004, 08:37 AM	#1
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	#2
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	#4
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!

05-19-2004, 11:20 AM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	At JRR and Edith Tolkien's Golden Wedding Anniversary, a special musical performance was one of the highlights. What was sung and by whom? __________________ '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...'

05-19-2004, 12:24 PM	#6
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	I believe that would be a performance of Tolkien's song cycle The Road Goes Ever On. The composer Donald Swann was at the piano and a gentleman appropiately named William Elvin sang the songs. That took place in 1966 at Merton College. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

05-19-2004, 12:25 PM	#7
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	That's right, Child - and a-one, a-two... - take it away! __________________ '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...'