With which Middle Earth Race do you most identify? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 11-19-2007, 03:04 PM

I chose Ent, but not for the 'green' aspect. My reasons for identifying with the brethren of my favourite character Treebeard are more to do with a sense of isolation from the rest of Middle-earth's inhabitants. The Ents seem to belong to the world in a different way from the other species, who are all coming and going; but the Ents watch them as they do this. I also thought they would be much more sensible company than the others, who are more prone to childish capering.

Or, to quote my significant other (who may or may not post her own response to this thread): "Yes, you would be an Ent, all cynical and completely unaware of modern technology. "

alatar · 11-19-2007, 04:53 PM

In order from least likely to more likely:

Dwarf - Could never identify with dwarves. Not materialistic nor into making things (fixing things, sure), and never been that fixated on one thing. And just what is the birth rate amongst Durin's folk?

Hobbit - Couldn't see myself here as well. Comforts are great, but not necessary. Most likely too mean/stern/cynical to be one of the little folk. Can't sing a note either.

Ent - Sure, I like to study things, but never to the point of watching grass grow. Hopefully, though some of my posts may show otherwise, I'm not predisposed to being long-winded and boring. And do Ents dance?

Human - The living fast and dying hard - then living elsewhere - is just too cool, but definitely don't have the passions of Turin. I'd like to think of myself as a little more learned than the typical human - more steeped in history and science, and somehow that doesn't fit here. And there's just something about the choice 'human' that means "typical" - that I am not.

Elf - Of the available choices, this would seem the be the best fit. Dancing, laughter, seriousness, thoughtfulness - that apparent aloofness that living a billion years can give one are all appealing. Daily using what some would call 'magic,' looking backward, but with some prescience mixed in fit too. Elf would be a good choice, but not the best. On the other hand, my indecision is mostly likely from my elvishness.

That all said, I'm holding out with LoAL and going with 'Wizard.' That option not available, then 'elf.'

Thinlómien · 11-20-2007, 03:55 AM

I really can't answer this question, because I can't decide if I should answer "Elf" or "Human".

I've always loved the Elves. Nowadays my enthusiasm towards most Elven folk has somewhat faded, but I haven't got over the Noldor. They are the people of Arda I love the most: proud, stubborn and hot-tempered, wise and skillful, lovers of languages, tales and different crafts. I see so much of myself in them. I'm all too stubborn, sometimes too proud and used to have quite a temper (I've calmed when I've got older, though... blah

). I love languages and tales and I would love to be wise and great like the High Noldorin Lords. Also, I could see myself acting as stupidly as many Noldor did. I know very well the feeling of defying authorities even if it's not the wisest thing to do and of being too proud to admit your mistakes and apologise. Also, in the Silmarillion, when it's told about the Noldor's wish to see unseen lands and found realms of their own, it always creates an odd feeling of sympathy and recognition in me. Likewise, I recognise the Noldor's lust for knowledge and lore in myself.

Lastly, one big thing that connects me and Elves is the love of sea. I've lived practically all my life near the sea and it has a special meaning for me. I could sit on a beach for hours and just watch the changing sea. I love wading in the sea (and getting all my clothes wet... it's the best in a long skirt

), not to mention swimming in the sea. And when I'm diving in the sea I feel like I was in a totally different world and the greenness is something really beautiful. The sea always makes me feel sad and small. (And I live near the tiny and almost lake-like Baltic Sea that freezes during the winter... I have no idea what a proper sea or ocean would make me feel...)

So I do identify with Elves, but I also identify with the Humans who lived beside them. I can so well understand their reactions to the Elf-folk: the awe, the love and the bitterness too. And humans are, well, more human. Their sorrow, courage and happiness has always touched me more than the Elves'. In a way, it seems like their sorrows and joys were stronger (definitely not deeper, but stronger) than the Elves'. The courage of the Men of the First Age always makes me cry. Just look at Húrin and Huor or Haleth. How the brothers fight against an evil foe bigger than them side-by-side with an immortal folk greater and more powerful than them, but still no way, do lesser deeds or display lesser courage, quite the opposite. And Haleth, she and her folk show that Humans can survive without the Elves' assistance and that there's great strength and courage in their people. Besides, I have always thought all the three houses of Edain were interesting and of the later peoples the northern peoples - mainly Beornings and Rohirrim - are just something really great.

Also, there's more mirth and sort of warm or gentle joy in Humans than there is in Elves. As I've always been quite cheerful of nature, the one thing that I find distant in Elves is that they're always so serious, or if they're happy, they're happy in a very non-down-to-earth way (happy in their own spheres of sort of divine joy) or in a tra-la-lal-ly -way, which quite doesn't inspire me.

In conclusion, I would maybe say that in general, I identify with Humans more than with Elves, but the Noldor are the people I most identify with and thus I can't really answer the original question.

Selmo · 11-20-2007, 05:38 AM

I don't really have a choice!

I am short and more than a little rotund.
I have curly hair that used to be brown.
I like dressing in bright colours.
I eat good, simple food as often as possible.
I enjoy a pint of strong, dark ale and the occasional pipe of tobacco.
I love to walk in the tranquility of well-managed countryside.
I enjoy the occasional adventure, so long as it's there and back again and any dangers are more apparent than real.

The only thing missing is the hairy feet.
.

View Poll Results: Which Middle Earth Race do you most identify with?
Elf	16	30.19%
Human	13	24.53%
Dwarf	8	15.09%
Ent	3	5.66%
Hobbit	13	24.53%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

11-19-2007, 03:04 PM	#1
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	I chose Ent, but not for the 'green' aspect. My reasons for identifying with the brethren of my favourite character Treebeard are more to do with a sense of isolation from the rest of Middle-earth's inhabitants. The Ents seem to belong to the world in a different way from the other species, who are all coming and going; but the Ents watch them as they do this. I also thought they would be much more sensible company than the others, who are more prone to childish capering. Or, to quote my significant other (who may or may not post her own response to this thread): "Yes, you would be an Ent, all cynical and completely unaware of modern technology. " __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

11-19-2007, 04:53 PM	#2
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	In order from least likely to more likely: Dwarf - Could never identify with dwarves. Not materialistic nor into making things (fixing things, sure), and never been that fixated on one thing. And just what is the birth rate amongst Durin's folk? Hobbit - Couldn't see myself here as well. Comforts are great, but not necessary. Most likely too mean/stern/cynical to be one of the little folk. Can't sing a note either. Ent - Sure, I like to study things, but never to the point of watching grass grow. Hopefully, though some of my posts may show otherwise, I'm not predisposed to being long-winded and boring. And do Ents dance? Human - The living fast and dying hard - then living elsewhere - is just too cool, but definitely don't have the passions of Turin. I'd like to think of myself as a little more learned than the typical human - more steeped in history and science, and somehow that doesn't fit here. And there's just something about the choice 'human' that means "typical" - that I am not. Elf - Of the available choices, this would seem the be the best fit. Dancing, laughter, seriousness, thoughtfulness - that apparent aloofness that living a billion years can give one are all appealing. Daily using what some would call 'magic,' looking backward, but with some prescience mixed in fit too. Elf would be a good choice, but not the best. On the other hand, my indecision is mostly likely from my elvishness. That all said, I'm holding out with LoAL and going with 'Wizard.' That option not available, then 'elf.' __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

11-20-2007, 03:55 AM	#3
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	I really can't answer this question, because I can't decide if I should answer "Elf" or "Human". I've always loved the Elves. Nowadays my enthusiasm towards most Elven folk has somewhat faded, but I haven't got over the Noldor. They are the people of Arda I love the most: proud, stubborn and hot-tempered, wise and skillful, lovers of languages, tales and different crafts. I see so much of myself in them. I'm all too stubborn, sometimes too proud and used to have quite a temper (I've calmed when I've got older, though... blah ). I love languages and tales and I would love to be wise and great like the High Noldorin Lords. Also, I could see myself acting as stupidly as many Noldor did. I know very well the feeling of defying authorities even if it's not the wisest thing to do and of being too proud to admit your mistakes and apologise. Also, in the Silmarillion, when it's told about the Noldor's wish to see unseen lands and found realms of their own, it always creates an odd feeling of sympathy and recognition in me. Likewise, I recognise the Noldor's lust for knowledge and lore in myself. Lastly, one big thing that connects me and Elves is the love of sea. I've lived practically all my life near the sea and it has a special meaning for me. I could sit on a beach for hours and just watch the changing sea. I love wading in the sea (and getting all my clothes wet... it's the best in a long skirt ), not to mention swimming in the sea. And when I'm diving in the sea I feel like I was in a totally different world and the greenness is something really beautiful. The sea always makes me feel sad and small. (And I live near the tiny and almost lake-like Baltic Sea that freezes during the winter... I have no idea what a proper sea or ocean would make me feel...) So I do identify with Elves, but I also identify with the Humans who lived beside them. I can so well understand their reactions to the Elf-folk: the awe, the love and the bitterness too. And humans are, well, more human. Their sorrow, courage and happiness has always touched me more than the Elves'. In a way, it seems like their sorrows and joys were stronger (definitely not deeper, but stronger) than the Elves'. The courage of the Men of the First Age always makes me cry. Just look at Húrin and Huor or Haleth. How the brothers fight against an evil foe bigger than them side-by-side with an immortal folk greater and more powerful than them, but still no way, do lesser deeds or display lesser courage, quite the opposite. And Haleth, she and her folk show that Humans can survive without the Elves' assistance and that there's great strength and courage in their people. Besides, I have always thought all the three houses of Edain were interesting and of the later peoples the northern peoples - mainly Beornings and Rohirrim - are just something really great. Also, there's more mirth and sort of warm or gentle joy in Humans than there is in Elves. As I've always been quite cheerful of nature, the one thing that I find distant in Elves is that they're always so serious, or if they're happy, they're happy in a very non-down-to-earth way (happy in their own spheres of sort of divine joy) or in a tra-la-lal-ly -way, which quite doesn't inspire me. In conclusion, I would maybe say that in general, I identify with Humans more than with Elves, but the Noldor are the people I most identify with and thus I can't really answer the original question. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris Last edited by Thinlómien; 11-20-2007 at 06:46 AM.

11-20-2007, 05:38 AM	#4
Selmo Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The Shire (Staffordshire), United Kingdom Posts: 273	I don't really have a choice! I am short and more than a little rotund. I have curly hair that used to be brown. I like dressing in bright colours. I eat good, simple food as often as possible. I enjoy a pint of strong, dark ale and the occasional pipe of tobacco. I love to walk in the tranquility of well-managed countryside. I enjoy the occasional adventure, so long as it's there and back again and any dangers are more apparent than real. The only thing missing is the hairy feet. .