LotR --- Appendix A: I, (iv) -- Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion

[Estelyn Telcontar]

This section of Appendix A is full of information for Gondor fans - and as the Silmarillion is primarily Elven "history", it is of interest even post-Sil publication. There is some overlapping with 'Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age' in the Sil and with the first two chapters of Part Three in the Unfinished Tales, but I have not had the time to compare them in detail. Perhaps some of you who are more familiar with those works can tell us which parts of the information here are unique.

I will not dwell on the names of kings and stewards in this introduction but would like to point out some interesting matters for discussion. We have childlessness mentioned as a sign of decay - Tolkien's emphasis of family obviously being important to him. The importance of sea power, with several great battles being fought against the sea power of Umbar, seems very English. After all, the island was a great sea power in its history.

The story of the Kin-strife is reminiscent of the Elven Kinslaying - how do they compare? How do they differ? What were the consequences?

When the direct line of the kings in Gondor died out, do you think Arvedui's claim was legitimate? Why was he rejected and Aragorn later accepted? What do you think would have been different had he united the kingdoms at that point? What does Malbeth's prophecy concerning him mean?

We read background information on the Witch-King, and this is where we find Glorfindel's prophecy concerning his death "not by the hand of man."

Does Eärnur remind you of Boromir, with his love for fighting more than for having a family?

I find it interesting to read that the Ruling Stewards hardened their hearts against any rumours of a King yet to come. Formally, they accepted the fact of their temporary function, but in fact, they were unwilling to give up their power well before Denethor came along.

We also read of Thorongil; his true identity is not actually revealed in the passage concerning him. The contrast between the two wizards Saruman and Gandalf plays a prominent part here - as does the difference between Boromir and Faramir. Finduilas' brief tale is told.

I'm very amused over a sarcastic phrase that Tolkien wrote almost at the end of this section:

It did not seem possible to Faramir that any one in Gondor could rival Boromir, heir of Denethor... and of like mind was Boromir.
(my emphasis)

What do you find most interesting, most informative, and most important to you in this section?