The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Literary Devices & such for Revised Silmarillion

Aiwendil · 03-30-2001, 02:53 PM

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Re: a refreshing of the thread

I agree that the 77 is usable here, but I'd rather redefine the canon at certain points than accept CRT's version. As for the death of Thingol, I think the 77 version could be kept - it makes a lot of sense, and indeed looks like the only way to resolve the problem. Tolkien's thoughts on this were by no means clear, anyway.

However, I think it would still be better to keep the Wanderings of Hurin in full (in terms of plot, not necessarily keeping the whole narrative in the Quenta Silmarillion). Having a band with Hurin through the rest of his travels would require some slight rewrites, but I think these would be worth it to preserve what Tolkien undoubtedly wanted. Also, I don't think it was ever his intention to have the Nauglamir be the only item brought to Doriath. The only two versions we have to go on are:

Quenta Noldorinwa: Hurin and outlaws bring treasure to Doriath, dying inexplicably on the way; Hurin must have Thingol send people to carry the treasure (which obviously ruins the gesture),

and Wanderings of Hurin: Hurin still has a band of outlaws with him as he sets off toward Nargothrond.

There's no indication of CRT's solution, that Hurin goes alone with only the Nauglamir, at all. My suggestion is to follow the 77, but alter the prose so that Hurin retains his outlaws, who accompany him to Doriath with the treasure (not dying) and deliver it to Thingol. They would, I suppose, wander off after Hurin leaves Doriath. What do you think?

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03-30-2001, 02:53 PM	#35
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased Posts: 10</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: a refreshing of the thread I agree that the 77 is usable here, but I'd rather redefine the canon at certain points than accept CRT's version. As for the death of Thingol, I think the 77 version could be kept - it makes a lot of sense, and indeed looks like the only way to resolve the problem. Tolkien's thoughts on this were by no means clear, anyway. However, I think it would still be better to keep the Wanderings of Hurin in full (in terms of plot, not necessarily keeping the whole narrative in the Quenta Silmarillion). Having a band with Hurin through the rest of his travels would require some slight rewrites, but I think these would be worth it to preserve what Tolkien undoubtedly wanted. Also, I don't think it was ever his intention to have the Nauglamir be the only item brought to Doriath. The only two versions we have to go on are: Quenta Noldorinwa: Hurin and outlaws bring treasure to Doriath, dying inexplicably on the way; Hurin must have Thingol send people to carry the treasure (which obviously ruins the gesture), and Wanderings of Hurin: Hurin still has a band of outlaws with him as he sets off toward Nargothrond. There's no indication of CRT's solution, that Hurin goes alone with only the Nauglamir, at all. My suggestion is to follow the 77, but alter the prose so that Hurin retains his outlaws, who accompany him to Doriath with the treasure (not dying) and deliver it to Thingol. They would, I suppose, wander off after Hurin leaves Doriath. What do you think? </p> Last edited by Aiwendil; 02-27-2004 at 03:27 PM.