Tolkien and Asimov

[alatar]

Originally Posted by drigel

A thought did occur to me on influences. I have always thought that the idea Asimov promoted about how we as a species went forth into the galaxy to colonize and develop civilizations to the point that our planet of origin became at first a memory, then a myth, then forgotten and totally lost in obscurity does seem to remind me of something...

Another difference that I found between the two authors is that it seems (at least to me) that you can 'backtrack' the history of Earth in Tolkien's world more readily than in Asimov's. One frustration with the Foundation series is that we never get to understand what really happened to Earth (if memory serves) whereas in the Silmarillion I can see what happened, and can work out how we got to here.

Was it that Tolkien decided earlier on the fate of the world whereas Asimov wrote some cool stories then had to deal with 'loose ends,' figuring out and filling in later what 'happened' in the mythology of Earth?

[Aiwendil]

Alatar wrote:

One frustration with the Foundation series is that we never get to understand what really happened to Earth (if memory serves) whereas in the Silmarillion I can see what happened, and can work out how we got to here.

Actually, we do - I believe the explanation is partially revealed at the end of Foundation and Earth and is actually shown in Robots and Empire, the last book in the Robot series.

But I do think you may have a point - Asimov's first purpose was not world-building. At least, not in the same sense as Tolkien. I'd say that Asimov's interest was primarily in society whereas Tolkien's was in history.