Unfinished Tales - Part One - II - Narn I Hín Húrin

[Guinevere]

Before we go on to the next story, some belated thoughts.

When I first read the Silmarillion and especially the story of Túrin, I was deeply troubled.
It is so sombre and sad, ending in total despair and hopelessness. The injustice of it all bothered me most! Especially the faithful and steadfast Húrin really really didn't deserve such a cruel fate! Why did the Valar (who after all had intervened in some cases like when Maedhros was saved by Fingon, and Tuor) totally forsake him? Morwen and Túrin had their flaws, but still didn't deserve what they got. Túrin was so brave, always trying to start a new life and make things better. What in the end made him despair,"the worst of all his deeds" he can't really be blamed for ! (btw, how come Glaurung knew all this??)
Eru apparently doesn't care about "his children" at all, but leaves everything to Morgoth.

I just couldn't understand how the author of The Lord of the Rings could have written such a hopeless story!

In the Lord of the Rings I feel that there is a balance between hope and melancholy, that there is a merciful providence behind it all, in spite of the sadness that many things are irrevocably lost. Virtues like courage, faithfulness, love and pity are rewarded. The ending is bitter-sweet, sad and yet hopeful. When I finish reading the LotR, I feel sad, but not depressed and empty!

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Guinevere

When I first read the Silmarillion and especially the story of Túrin, I was deeply troubled.

As surprising as it may seem to you, when I read the Turin chapter in The Sil, I was so sick and tired of all the unfairness, curses, new identities et al, that I put off reading COH for two or three weeks. But then my curiosity got the better of me, and by the time I was done I was in love with the story.

Why did the Valar (who after all had intervened in some cases like when Maedhros was saved by Fingon, and Tuor) totally forsake him?

Concerning Turin, he rejected the Valar himself. Hurin, on the other hand...

Well, the Valar never came to rescue anyone. Sometimes the Eagles (by Manwe's orders or by their own will) helped people. But these were rare occurances compared to how many people found death or slavery in or near Angband. And even Ulmo, the black sheep when it comes to intervening, checked his involvement.

There were many stories like Turin's, I believe. People whose lives were destroyed by Morgoth, and who dedicated whatever remained to fighting him, however futile and desperate that seemed. I suppose there would have been many cases of lonely inividuals like that, or even bands. Barahir's group is an example of such. Their story is no less tragic or touching when it comes to it, but they haven't been raised to such a hight as Turin, and therefore their fall doesn't seem so low.

The Valar didn't help them. You can't help every single person.

Morwen and Túrin had their flaws, but still didn't deserve what they got.

One reason I love them both.

What in the end made him despair,"the worst of all his deeds" he can't really be blamed for ! (btw, how come Glaurung knew all this??)

Turin did a lot of things he couldn't really be blamed for, because he had only the best of intentions.

As for Glaurung, well, he's Glaurung. He's not your ordinary dragon.

I just couldn't understand how the author of The Lord of the Rings could have written such a hopeless story!

I'm glad he wrote both. And why wouldn't he? As an author, he probably wanted to try both. As a reader, I enjoy both and savour both, though they have different tastes.

When I finish reading the LotR, I feel sad, but not depressed and empty!

We clearly disagree about this, but I think that a depressing/empty - feeling ending is just as good as a fading/melancholy/bittersweet LOTR ending. They are both beautiful in their respective context. I love it that COH ends with a loud crash that leaves your ears hurting. I probably wouldn't have liked it half as much if it was more subtle or gentle.

[Guinevere]

Well, as I wrote, these were my first impressions. I still am not really fond of tragedies, but after reading the story in U.T. I appreciate it much more. In a way it is even more heartbreaking when you get to know the characters so closely and care about them!

Since I have read a lot more of and about Tolkien I've come to think that Tolkien's works, especially the Silmarillion, are partly his own way of pondering over those questions that engage us all: about death and immortality, good and evil, free will and providence and the meaning of suffering and injustice in the world.

In a way, the tragic stories are more realistic than the happy ones. Just read history (“a long defeat” indeed!) or listen to the news every day –it could lead one to despair!

And that's also the reason why I prefer stories that "lift up the heart"! ( see my signature)

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Guinevere

I still am not really fond of tragedies...

Here it lies. I love tragedies!

Just read history (“a long defeat” indeed!) or listen to the news every day –it could lead one to despair!

This is bringing me off a tangent, but I think LOTR could also qualify for a "long defeat". It's victory, but the mood isn't exactly happy, and the world still lost more than it could have imagined - with all the departing Elves and fading magic/mystery/etc. It's still part of a very very very long defeat, one that still hasn't ended.