The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - the HoM-E/UT Society ~ following the Legendarium from c.1915

Aiwendil · 11-28-2003, 10:31 PM

I think that the vivid descriptions of the more mythological events and the more personalized characterizations of the Valar are the things I most miss about the Lost Tales in the more developed mythology. The first time I read the Lost Tales I recall being quite caught up in what might be called the primitive beauty of the accounts.

I don't necessarily think that the accounts of the homes of the Valar are at odds with the later mythology in all regards. But I can understand why Tolkien dropped it. It is not quite in keeping with the more serious tone that the mythology later acquired. It is, as you say, "coarse" - and thus, I think, more like real mythologies.

I'm certainly glad that the legendarium later took on its more refined tone. But I think that an inevitable disadvantage is the loss of the earlier vivid description.

11-28-2003, 10:31 PM	#27
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	I think that the vivid descriptions of the more mythological events and the more personalized characterizations of the Valar are the things I most miss about the Lost Tales in the more developed mythology. The first time I read the Lost Tales I recall being quite caught up in what might be called the primitive beauty of the accounts. I don't necessarily think that the accounts of the homes of the Valar are at odds with the later mythology in all regards. But I can understand why Tolkien dropped it. It is not quite in keeping with the more serious tone that the mythology later acquired. It is, as you say, "coarse" - and thus, I think, more like real mythologies. I'm certainly glad that the legendarium later took on its more refined tone. But I think that an inevitable disadvantage is the loss of the earlier vivid description.