Middle-earth Misconceptions

[Mithadan]

Dredging deep into my memory, I can come up with initial impressions of Middle Earth that turned out to be incorrect.

I read The Hobbit before I was even aware that LoTR existed. So, I viewed the book as a stand-alone story and not part of an extended history (which, of course, was what JRRT initially intended). I recall having the impression that Elves were otherworldly ethereal beings that were silly and either chaotic folk that engaged in mischief or were actually hostile to men. This is not unlike other mythical races, sprites, etc. This impression was probably a combination of the myths I had been exposed to via westernized fairy tales and how Tolkien presented the Elves ("Tra la la lally" and the ill-tempered and secretive Elves of Mirkwood).

[Computer Idiot]

Yes, Star trek used "Scotty" as the comic relief guy with his scottish accent remarks. Very similar, except he was not a dwarf. That was 1966 , so they may have stolen it from LOTR. I had no idea LOTR was written so long ago.

[Snowdog]

I'm not sure if it was a misconception or a misunderstanding. When I first read Lord of the Rings, in the chapter 'Window of the West' there is the reference of the blood of Westernesee in reference to Faramir. Of course I had no clue about Numenor or their lineage and such. It wasn't until I fine-combed the appendices that I started to figure it out.