Canon: what ARE we babbling about? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Fordim Hedgethistle · 08-19-2005, 10:17 AM

Geez, it's amazing how often I have to settle this issue for you all...

According to the OED:

Quote:

Canon

4. The collection or list of books of the Bible accepted by the Christian Church as genuine and inspired. Also transf., any set of sacred books; also, those writings of a secular author accepted as authentic.

Seems to me that if we're using the word 'canon' in its usual sense, then, it would cover everything Tolkien wrote -- at least, everything he wrote that we are willing to accept as "authentic":

Quote:

6. Really proceeding from its reputed source or author; of undisputed origin, genuine. (Opposed to counterfeit, forged, apocryphal.

So, if we can prove that Tolkien wrote it, it's part of the canon. Now, whether or not you are:

a) compelled to accept what the author has written

b) willing to accept what the author has written

c) free to accept what the author has written, or

d) couldn't care less what the author has written

is another issue entirely.

View Poll Results: Canonicity means:
The author's published works, during his lifetime	3	15.00%
The author's published works including those edited/published posthumously	5	25.00%
ALL of the author's works, notes, letters, and ideas, published or not, conflicting or not	9	45.00%
What the reading community says is Canon	0	0%
What the BarrowDowns community says is Canon	1	5.00%
What the critics say is Canon	0	0%
Canon is whatever I, the reader, want it to be	1	5.00%
Something completely (or slightly) different [if you choose this last option, please explain yourself in the thread. Thank you]	1	5.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll