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Bêthberry · 06-10-2002, 03:58 PM

*curtsies deeply and graciously with a pleasant hello to littlemanpoet and Squatter of Amon Rudh*

Yes indeed, littlemanpoet, it was the thread about different historical epochs represented in the movie where I saw 'Edwardian' used. I think this shows another problem with historical lables: they are not watertight and often not applicable to entire cultures. Carpenter's descriptions of Sarehole during Tolkien's childhood remind me very much of George Eliot's descriptions of the West Midlands. It is still a rural land that has been overlooked by the major historical movement which was used to define the period. (BTW, that bit about the Victorians does not pertain to Yorkshiremen in the 1840s.) I would tend to think, therefore, that the historical lable for the time frame does not do justice to the experience Tolkien had or imagines in his work. Just MHO.

Squatter of Amon Rudh, what suggested the issue of gendered knowledge is the loquaciousness of Ioreth, her suggestion that the Herb Master (male) would be more familiar with formal names, and Gandalf's obvious respect for her despite her talkative nature, where others might ridicule her for her old wives' ways. It could, however, easily be a marker of dialect or social order. It is a small point but nonetheless indicative, I think, of Tolkiens' great attention to language. Just MHO.

Regards from the Old Forest,
Bethberry

[ June 10, 2002: Message edited by: Bethberry ]

06-10-2002, 03:58 PM	#73
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	curtsies deeply and graciously with a pleasant hello to littlemanpoet* and Squatter of Amon Rudh* Yes indeed, littlemanpoet, it was the thread about different historical epochs represented in the movie where I saw 'Edwardian' used. I think this shows another problem with historical lables: they are not watertight and often not applicable to entire cultures. Carpenter's descriptions of Sarehole during Tolkien's childhood remind me very much of George Eliot's descriptions of the West Midlands. It is still a rural land that has been overlooked by the major historical movement which was used to define the period. (BTW, that bit about the Victorians does not pertain to Yorkshiremen in the 1840s.) I would tend to think, therefore, that the historical lable for the time frame does not do justice to the experience Tolkien had or imagines in his work. Just MHO. Squatter of Amon Rudh, what suggested the issue of gendered knowledge is the loquaciousness of Ioreth, her suggestion that the Herb Master (male) would be more familiar with formal names, and Gandalf's obvious respect for her despite her talkative nature, where others might ridicule her for her old wives' ways. It could, however, easily be a marker of dialect or social order. It is a small point but nonetheless indicative, I think, of Tolkiens' great attention to language. Just MHO. Regards from the Old Forest, Bethberry [ June 10, 2002: Message edited by: Bethberry ] __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.