Dumbing down the Books - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 11-13-2003, 09:56 AM

Oh indeed, Mr. Underhill, originally my point about the sentence was simply mischievious. As I said earlier, it was merely in jesting challenge to Squatter's claim about the omnipotence of "an Oxford professor of English." I have less faith in professors than he does. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Aiwendil's questions about the formal organization of grammar have, I think, made the discussion more serious than was my original intention and drawn it away from the main issue here and so I am happy to continue that particular discussion with him in PM.

I entered this thread for two reasons: the question about style was a point that Squatter and I had occasionally discussed in chat and I thought I could perhaps help to establish a moderate tone in the discussion. I don't think that is possible.

Last night, a post was made here which spoke bitterly and sarcasticly about the question of style. (It was not addressed to me.) That post was quickly deleted, but in many ways it spoke of the feelings of many other people here. There are too many fans here for whom Tolkien's works are akin to iconic texts and for whom any kind of questioning brings very defensive feelings. I happen to think that even Tolkien would not be pleased with such feelings for a secular text, but I have no wish to create hard feelings, nor, really, "to gain ground" as you suggest. Discussion here is about fun, not gaining converts, to my mind.

I agree with you, by the way, that style is about effectiveness, not correctness. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[ November 13, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]

11-13-2003, 09:56 AM	#17
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Oh indeed, Mr. Underhill, originally my point about the sentence was simply mischievious. As I said earlier, it was merely in jesting challenge to Squatter's claim about the omnipotence of "an Oxford professor of English." I have less faith in professors than he does. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Aiwendil's questions about the formal organization of grammar have, I think, made the discussion more serious than was my original intention and drawn it away from the main issue here and so I am happy to continue that particular discussion with him in PM. I entered this thread for two reasons: the question about style was a point that Squatter and I had occasionally discussed in chat and I thought I could perhaps help to establish a moderate tone in the discussion. I don't think that is possible. Last night, a post was made here which spoke bitterly and sarcasticly about the question of style. (It was not addressed to me.) That post was quickly deleted, but in many ways it spoke of the feelings of many other people here. There are too many fans here for whom Tolkien's works are akin to iconic texts and for whom any kind of questioning brings very defensive feelings. I happen to think that even Tolkien would not be pleased with such feelings for a secular text, but I have no wish to create hard feelings, nor, really, "to gain ground" as you suggest. Discussion here is about fun, not gaining converts, to my mind. I agree with you, by the way, that style is about effectiveness, not correctness. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [ November 13, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ] __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.