Hope and Hopelessness - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Guinevere · 11-07-2002, 03:45 PM

This is an absolutely fascinating thread, I thoroughly enjoyed reading all your deep and thought-provoking posts!

It always struck me that in LotR there is a balance of hope and sadness, anyhow, the overall effect on my mind is uplifting.

But when reading the Silmarillion it seemed much more sad, I felt almost depressed at the end. Especially I can`t get over the hopeless story of Turin Turambar.It ends in complete dispair and disaster. And poor Hurin who really hasn`t deserved such a terrible fate seems utterly forsaken. All his hopes are in vain.
Ever since I kept wondering what made Tolkien write such a story - it is so very different from the spirit in LotR.
Am I the only one who is bothered by this ?

11-07-2002, 03:45 PM	#18
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,830	This is an absolutely fascinating thread, I thoroughly enjoyed reading all your deep and thought-provoking posts! It always struck me that in LotR there is a balance of hope and sadness, anyhow, the overall effect on my mind is uplifting. But when reading the Silmarillion it seemed much more sad, I felt almost depressed at the end. Especially I can`t get over the hopeless story of Turin Turambar.It ends in complete dispair and disaster. And poor Hurin who really hasn`t deserved such a terrible fate seems utterly forsaken. All his hopes are in vain. Ever since I kept wondering what made Tolkien write such a story - it is so very different from the spirit in LotR. Am I the only one who is bothered by this ? __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat!