Dwalin the Dwarf

[Hammerhand]

Right chaps, i don't recall a thread on this topic but there probably has been at some point!

As i sat perusing some fine literature, i lingered on a certain detail. Dwalin is written to have lived to the age of 340. Now, for a dwarf, that has to be nearly a century over average. Gloin lived to be 253 years, Thror was 248 and Dain Ironfoot was 252; all of these Dwarves were considered old. Is there a logical reason as to why Dwalin lived to be 340 years old? Because it has me in quite a pickle.

[Raynor]

It must be his blue beard . Frankly, I am more content with Tolkien's first choice of his lifespan, 251.

[Farael]

I believe (and this is pure speculation) that it may be to emphasize the end of an era. The same applies for Aragorn, who also was long lived for the standards of the time (although he had the "excuse" of having strong Numenorean blood).

To me, it makes it all the more bitter-sweet that all these great characters lead wonderful lives, lead their peoples to new heights and yet could not conquer death herself. I know that in Tolkien's world death was not to be a curse but rather a gift and yet...

But going back to my previous point, I think that Gimli's long life is just an example of the "greatness" of the "great" of the Third Age that will never be again.

[Selmo]

Can we take the published age of Dwarves as a true indication of their potential life-span when so many of them died in battle, not of old age?.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Of course, the most likely explanation is dormitat Homerus- the Appendices in fact contain numerous mistakes, especially as Tolkien assembled them in a dreadful rush, with public and publisher clamouring for The Return of ther King.

Can we take the published age of Dwarves as a true indication of their potential life-span when so many of them died in battle, not of old age?.

Tolkien covered the lifespan of Dwarves in an essay published in HME vol XII. In it he declared that once they reached maturity, Dwarves aged little if at all until about the age of 240- after which they declined very rapidly, say in a decade or so, and died, 250 therfore being a typical lifespan. In fact, if you review those Dwarves in the family tree not said to have been killed, they all come within a very few years of 250 plus or minus...save Dwalin.

This BTW is the same essay in which he declares positively what had long been surmised- that Dwarf-women do indeed have beards just like the menfolk. Also, interestingly, that baldness is unknown among the Dwarves (sorry, Disney).

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hickli

Tolkien covered the lifespan of Dwarves in an essay published in HME vol XII. In it he declared that once they reached maturity, Dwarves aged little if at all until about the age of 240-

Is it mentioned anywhere when did they reach maturity? I have a conception that those of Durin's folk were mature at the age of 40-50, but I have no clue where has this conception of mine come from and whether it's right or wrong...

[Kuruharan]

in the realm of human possibility, but highly unlikely.

It happens.

[Hammerhand]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

It happens.

It does indeed, and there are a few. I read once about a French woman living to 122 or something... its amazing isn't it.

[Groin Redbeard]

Did Dwalin do any great deeds as to have gained favor from the Valor, particularly Aule?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Did Dwalin do any great deeds as to have gained favor from the Valor, particularly Aule?

I don't recall anything. And mainly, I believe that prolongating someone's lifespan would not be even in the power of Valar, but solely in the power of Eru. I am not sure, of course, if there is not any evidence that would contradict that, but given the fact that all the life stems from Eru himself (meaning the "true" life, cf. the story of Aulë and the Dwarves), I presume the opinion I hold here is correct.