Tolkien and the Book

[Gurthang]

That's a very interesting thought: how elves really don't need or want books. I'd have to say that, and this is probably obvious, the elves replaced books with songs. Elvish songs were far more potent than books, their minstrels revered above most, and the songs could be preserved in completeness because they had a virtually unlimited time to teach them. This would explain why Hobbits and Men used books, since their skill with song was somewhat less.

I would almost even say that if Middle Earth had video cameras, the elves would not use them. Their songs are even more glorious than movies, since songs can not only give the listener a mental image, but almost put them into the story. With such a powerful form of storytelling, who would need even movies... or books, since that is the discussion.

But this also makes me wonder why elves even had letters and words at all. They were very keen at making script, but they really had little use for it. If they wanted a message sent, they would just use a messenger, or Osanwe(sp). So, if they wouldn't need written language for communication or preservation of history, why have it at all?