Feanor Self-Important?

[Voralphion]

With regards to Feanor's quote, he meant that he would be the first of the eldar to be slain in Aman. Mandos' reply then refered to the fact that Finwe had already at that point been slain, but of course that was yet unknown by the others present. An earlier version of that passage had Feanor saying,"Then I will die; first of all the eldar in Aman" but this was changed because it was well known that Miriel had already died.
I believe in HoME X Morgoth's Ring when the earlier version of the story is given, it says the quote refers to being slain not anything else.

[the phantom]

With regards to Feanor's quote, he meant that he would be the first of the eldar to be slain in Aman. Mandos' reply then refered to the fact that Finwe had already at that point been slain

Of course. I think about everyone here (I know I do) thinks this is the correct interpretation.

However, what we're trying to do is toss out the obvious and try something not so obvious- and see if we can somehow justify it. We're just having some fun.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Exactly phantom. I am generally certain that Feanor and Mandos spoke of being slain, but this is more of a "What if we are over-thinking this entirely?" sort of a question being posed. In the RW, "What if?" is the most dangerous question there is, however it is safe in reference to literature. So... what if we were wrong? What if it meant something different. What if people are misjudging Feanor, simply because they misunderstood what he was saying? What if he wasn't an arrogant berk, but was simply Captain Obvious? You see my point?

Fea

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

*nudge*

I'd like to see if anybody has new ideas there are new faces about these days.

[mormegil]

Feanor,

I don’t' know exactly what you are looking for but I will give you my opinion of Feanor though it is probably fairly well known.

I find him extremely haughty and arrogant. It is rather well known that Feanor was probably the greatest of all elves. Now this to me has always meant that he had great power, knowledge, skill and influence. He has a major underlying character flaw that proves to be his undoing. The greatest problem with Feanor is that due to his stature he brought down many associated with him.

His statement that you initially questioned simply illustrates his extreme self-absorption.

There has been much talk about the kin slaying and I'm not sure I want to reopen that can of worms but I feel that blame belongs to those who initiated it, and in my eyes that is Feanor. How can we blame Manwe for that? He thought he did what would be best for the elves and invited them to live in Valinor. There was no obligation for them to accept and many did not. Therefore they did not hinder their departure but thinking that the departure was in folly they did not aid it.

Now again Feanor had great influence and knowledge, but he was too egotistical to allow that to help other people and to better society. Everything he did was for self-promotion and didn't really care much about anybody else.

I have other things to speak about but I feel that this will spark some conversation in this thread. I do not wish, however, for what I am saying to be viewed as Feanor-bashing but I truly believe him an integral character but reprehensible.

[Aiwendil]

Everything he did was for self-promotion and didn't really care much about anybody else.

I don't want to enter into a blame Feanor/forgive Feanor debate (which I think is a highly subjective thing), but I don't think it's quite correct to say that he didn't care much about anybody but himself. While I agree that he was self-centered, he did at least care very much for his father and for his sons. Cf. his reaction when he learns that Finwe is dead (and I believe there is a comment from the narrator here emphasizing Feanor's love for his father) as well as the story in HoMe XII where he accidentally kills his youngest son - the latter is the only case I can think of where Feanor shows remorse or regret for one of his own actions.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

I don't want to enter into a blame Feanor/forgive Feanor debate (which I think is a highly subjective thing),

Wouldn't such a debate be rather ridiculous? In order for Feanor to require for forgiveness, he must first be responsible for having done wrong (ie. be blamed).

A very minor point, mainly pointed out for its amusement factor.

[Gurthang]

Originally Posted by mormegil

There has been much talk about the kin slaying and I'm not sure I want to reopen that can of worms but I feel that blame belongs to those who initiated it, and in my eyes that is Feanor.

True.

From the Slimarillion; Of the Flight of the Noldor
Thereupon Feanor left him, and sat in dark thought beyond the walls of Alqualonde, until his host was assembled. When he judged that his strength was enough, he went to the Haven of the Swans and began to man the ships that were anchored there and to take them away by force.

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

I don't think it's quite correct to say that he didn't care much about anybody but himself.

Mostly true.

From the Slimarillion; Of the Flight of the Noldor
Then Feanor ran from the Ring of Doom, and fled into the night; for his father was dearer to him than the Light of Valinor or the peerless works of his hands; and who among sons, of Elves or of Men, have held their fathers of greater worth?

But,

From the Slimarillion; Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor
For Feanor was driven by the fire of his own heart only, working ever swiftly and alone; and he asked the aid and sought the counsel of none that dwelt in Aman, great or small, save only and for a little while of Nerdanel the wise, his wife.

[the phantom]

Most of the Feanor debate is open for opinions and everyone can support their side somewhat, but there is one point you made that is not supportable at all.

...didn't really care much about anybody else

Not true. From the Silmarillion-

Then Feanor ran from the Ring of Doom, and fled into the night; for his father was dearer to him than the Light of Valinor or the peerless works of his hands; and who among sons, of Elves or of Men, have held their fathers of greater worth?

People try and dehumanize Feanor because it makes it easier to hate him.

Don't do that.