Unfinished Tales - Part Two - I - A Description of the Island of Númenor - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-06-2012, 05:50 AM

This brief chapter begins with a typically Tolkienish explanation, as if the documents were actual historical objects. A description follows, which explains the map on the first page in some detail.

The description of the mountain Meneltarma includes some fascinating (because rare) bits of information on Númenorean worship. Some of the following information concerns the nature of the land and its use, and a long paragraph is devoted to trees. Of the animals mentioned, birds are most important, though horses were also present, mostly for transportation.

Metal-working was apparently the most important of the crafts. And as to be expected of an insular people, the love of the Númenoreans for the Sea is told in the final paragraph.

One of the aspects of this chapter that I noticed in particular was the abundance of beautiful names for places, objects and persons.

What strikes you as the most interesting reason for reading this chapter? Or do you skip it and move on to more fascinating stories? Would you have enjoyed visiting the island or even living there?

02-06-2012, 05:50 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	Unfinished Tales - Part Two - I - A Description of the Island of Númenor This brief chapter begins with a typically Tolkienish explanation, as if the documents were actual historical objects. A description follows, which explains the map on the first page in some detail. The description of the mountain Meneltarma includes some fascinating (because rare) bits of information on Númenorean worship. Some of the following information concerns the nature of the land and its use, and a long paragraph is devoted to trees. Of the animals mentioned, birds are most important, though horses were also present, mostly for transportation. Metal-working was apparently the most important of the crafts. And as to be expected of an insular people, the love of the Númenoreans for the Sea is told in the final paragraph. One of the aspects of this chapter that I noticed in particular was the abundance of beautiful names for places, objects and persons. What strikes you as the most interesting reason for reading this chapter? Or do you skip it and move on to more fascinating stories? Would you have enjoyed visiting the island or even living there? __________________ '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...'