Man behind the Mythology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 04-16-2005, 02:31 AM

Aunt Jane it was - well done, and welcome to this thread, elronds_daughter! Her married name was Neave, and she was interested in Tolkien's works, as he was interested in her opinion. He wrote Letters # 231, 234, 238, and 241 to her; several of those are wonderfully long, chatty letters, very enjoyable to read!

Carry on with a new question, please!

elronds_daughter · 04-26-2005, 05:43 PM

Sorry it's been a while! I've been on vacation--no computer access, alas! Now, on to the question (it's an easy one):

Who wrote these words to Tolkien: "May you say the things I have tried to say long after I am not here to say them."

<disclaimer: If I got that quote wrong, forgive me. I've not got a book available to me at the moment.>

Bêthberry · 04-26-2005, 07:15 PM

Perhaps easy, but a sombre one as well.

It was G.B Smith, one of Tolkien's school mates, a member of the T.C.B.S. who had read Tolkien's early poetry and shared the early ideas and excitement about writing. Smith wrote those words to Tolkien shortly before he was was himself killed in World War I when a shell burst behind him while walking down a village road.

elronds_daughter · 04-27-2005, 05:35 PM

Well done, Bb. As I said, 'twas easy. Carry on!

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-11-2005, 12:36 PM

*Esty pokes Miz Berry...

Bêthberry · 05-12-2005, 08:05 AM

I wonder if this will be acceptable as a biographical tidbit.

Tolkien was not entirely happy with the surname "Gamgee." What name would he have preferred to change Gamgee to, if Christopher had let him? (And, yes, that "let him" is a quote!)

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-16-2005, 04:10 AM

Thanks to the excellent index in Letters, this was easy to find! (Happily for me, since I've not the time and energy for a lengthy search.) Here's the answer straight from Letter #72:

Quote:

I am not really satisfied with the surname Gamgee and shd. change it to Goodchild if I thought you would let me.

Now, we've seen that surname used on this site, haven't we? *Esty points in the direction of 'Cami'...

04-16-2005, 02:31 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Aunt Jane it was - well done, and welcome to this thread, elronds_daughter! Her married name was Neave, and she was interested in Tolkien's works, as he was interested in her opinion. He wrote Letters # 231, 234, 238, and 241 to her; several of those are wonderfully long, chatty letters, very enjoyable to read! Carry on with a new question, please! __________________ '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...'

04-26-2005, 05:43 PM	#2
elronds_daughter Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Location: Between the fortune cookie and the post-its. Posts: 644	Sorry it's been a while! I've been on vacation--no computer access, alas! Now, on to the question (it's an easy one): Who wrote these words to Tolkien: "May you say the things I have tried to say long after I am not here to say them." <disclaimer: If I got that quote wrong, forgive me. I've not got a book available to me at the moment.> __________________ I'd like to be the king of all Londinium and wear a shiny hat.

04-26-2005, 07:15 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Perhaps easy, but a sombre one as well. It was G.B Smith, one of Tolkien's school mates, a member of the T.C.B.S. who had read Tolkien's early poetry and shared the early ideas and excitement about writing. Smith wrote those words to Tolkien shortly before he was was himself killed in World War I when a shell burst behind him while walking down a village road. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away. Last edited by Bêthberry; 04-26-2005 at 07:21 PM.

04-27-2005, 05:35 PM	#4
elronds_daughter Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Location: Between the fortune cookie and the post-its. Posts: 644	Well done, Bb. As I said, 'twas easy. Carry on! __________________ I'd like to be the king of all Londinium and wear a shiny hat.

05-11-2005, 12:36 PM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	*Esty pokes Miz Berry... __________________ '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...'

05-12-2005, 08:05 AM	#6
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	A rose by any other name I wonder if this will be acceptable as a biographical tidbit. Tolkien was not entirely happy with the surname "Gamgee." What name would he have preferred to change Gamgee to, if Christopher had let him? (And, yes, that "let him" is a quote!) __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.