Nobility in the books - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 03-07-2005, 11:09 AM

It's also very pre-modern. The mythical societies Tolkien is writing about don't have political correctness yet. Emphasis on bloodline was a fact of life until a few hundred years ago, except in very select cases (Rome, I believe, had a couple of emperors descended from slaves).

But while major characters are either noble or sent by their masters (Gandalf- who was a servant, after all; Sam), minor characters from more ordinary families are pretty important to some parts of the story. Ioreth comes to mind.

03-07-2005, 11:09 AM	#11
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	It's also very pre-modern. The mythical societies Tolkien is writing about don't have political correctness yet. Emphasis on bloodline was a fact of life until a few hundred years ago, except in very select cases (Rome, I believe, had a couple of emperors descended from slaves). But while major characters are either noble or sent by their masters (Gandalf- who was a servant, after all; Sam), minor characters from more ordinary families are pretty important to some parts of the story. Ioreth comes to mind. __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!