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Originally Posted by Galin
Hmmm, but preceding this passage it was said the Eldar 'aged' at the same speed in Aman as they had done in their beginning upon Middle-earth.
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True, but the catch part seems to be "beginning upon Middle-earth", which may refer to a time when the race of the elves was less affected by the marring of Melkor and developed more naturally.
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And following it, it is noted (Aman and Mortal Men) that the Valar could not alter the speed of their growth.
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Agreed, but the changing factor for the elves is not Aman, but the marring of M-E, which affected their development, while in Aman such change was all but eliminated. Thus, the elves developed on Aman as they would have on Arda Unmarred.
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The source of Joy in Aman for Elves was comparative: the Eldar grew at the same rate but 3000 years of change about them in Aman was much less than in Middle-earth; in Middle-earth '... all things in comparison with themselves were fleeting, swift to die or pass away.'
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Hm, I am not sure what you mean. Do you imply that the marring did not affect their development? The first counter-argument that comes to mind is Finrod's words about the exiled elves who feel the effect of Middle Earth upon themselves.
Then again, this may all be in vain - MT may be an
out-standing text in this matter too, with little if any potential to be reconciled.