The Silmarillion in one word

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

In that case, we will just have to disagree. I think that The Sil is a beautiful work, even if it wasn't completed by JRRT.

I think this guy's just trolling, G55– see his post on the "Why is it so difficult" thread.

[FlimFlamSam]

Galadriel55 spoke: [In that case, we will just have to disagree]
Yeppers.

Nice summation of the exisitng words used in the thread so far.
Good work.

Nerwen spoke: [I think this guy's just trolling.]
Yeah... No--that's not it.

[Nerwen]

FlimFlam–

You do know that just saying you're not a troll by this stage carries about as much weight as insisting that a violet-eyed half-Elf fan-fic heroine is "not a Mary Sue"?

[Narnangol]

I would like to add WISTFUL.

I agree with everyone who said it was nostalgic or regretful in some way. The gradual diminishing of the world and its tainting - Arda Marred, if you will - is, at least to me, the the most prominent theme of The Silm, even THE theme. Especially so with the last lines, which I don't have on me now.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Narnangol

Especially so with the last lines, which I don't have on me now.

Here they are:

Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Baugir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it aprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

This is probably my most favourite passage in all the books. I have many favourites (too many for them to be called "favourites"... ), but this sentence is simply unbeatable.

Wait... there's more...

Here ends the SILMARILLION. If it has passed from the high and beautiful to darkness and ruin, that was of old the fate of Arda Marred; and if any change shall come and the Marring be amended, Manwe and Varda may know; but they have not revealed it, and it is not declared in the dooms of Mandos.

This does indeed summarise the whole Sil.

[Narnangol]

Yes, that last quote! Exactly what I was trying to say. Tolkien seems to have put it in better words than me.

[Galadriel55]

While I absolutely agree with words like "wistful" and "nostalgia", my words seem to be more... erm, now how should I call it? Well, those that describe the impression rather than the book.

Looking at the long list I made earlier, most "words" are either "summaries" (like wistful, loss), "experiences or reading The Sil" (like complicated, headaches, demanding (lol ... these are not the best experiences)), or "impressions" (like destiny, doomed!, tragedy, sorrow, powerful). Do you get the gist?

Interesting...