[ Daily Tolkien ] A Tolkien Virgin: Of the Sindar

Tolkien Online ^ | November 30, 1999 | Mark-Edmond

[JameRetief]

A Tolkien Virgin: Of the Sindar
by Mark-Edmond

The Journey Continues

Wow, this chapter is chock full of stuff. Three major things: the Naugrim (Dwarves) and Sindar meet/Menegroth is constructed (we'll call that one). The Nandor are reintroduced and settle in Ossiriand (two). And, the first war with the Orcs takes place (number three for this chapter).

Tolkien amazes me because he's able to say so much with so few words. In a few paragraphs he brings to life the nuances and idiosyncrasies of the Naugrim and their relationship with the Elves. The Naugrim are hesitant to teach foreigners their own language; they love Aule (their creator) and the earth and craftsmanship; they desire trade with the Elves; but, they fear the ocean and won't readily go near it. How beautifully descriptive.

Also, it was a nice touch for Tolkien to bring back the Nandor. Later, after the war with the Orcs, a portion of them become the Laiquendi of Ossiriand. It's interesting to be able to trace their history from the march of the Eldar from Middle-earth to Valanor to their becoming the Laiquendi ages later. I'll certainly keep my eyes open to see what role they will play in the future.

The war with the Orcs isn't told in an epic style; the major events are succinctly written and the story goes on. Here's one spot of many that it is clear just how long the Elven history is. Tolkien could have written books merely on the account of this first battle, I'm sure. On the other hand, we are awed by the importance of the events to come; for, if Tolkien can breeze by such a major event as the first war with the Orcs, how much more important must the events be that we have yet to read?

Author: Mark-Edmond
Published on: November 30, 1999

The next Tolkien Virgin article continues with The Silmarillion: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor

[JameRetief]

The Daily Tolkien articles by various authors	The Tolkien Virgin articles by Mark-Edmond
ARTICLES 1-10	1) Pre-amble and The Ainulindalë
ARTICLES 11-20	2) Ainulindalë/Valaquenta
ARTICLES 21-30	3) Of Aule and Yavanna
31) Model Languages: On Tolkien	4) Of The Coming of Elves and the Captivity of Melkor
32) Beyond The Movie: Author and History	5) Of Thingol and Melian
33) Beyond The Movie: Language and Culture	6) Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalie
34) Beyond The Movie: Myth and Storytelling	7) Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor
35) Who were the real heroes of Middle-earth?	8) Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor
36) The Undefinable Shadowland	9) Of the Darkening of Valinor
37) Strange as news from Bree...	10) Of the Flight of the Noldor
38) Hobbit Tales, or Never There And Back Again...	11) Of the Sindar
39) Death and Funerary Customs in Middle-earth
40) Ranger For Hire: Have Horse, Will Travel

[JameRetief]

Your Tolkien Virgin Ping!

Read along with a Tolkien Virgin as he discovers and comments on the history of Middle Earth as he reads it for the first time.  These articles start with The Silmarillion, journeys through The Hobbit, and finishes with the epic Lord Of The Rings.  At the pace of 2 articles per week (Mondays and Fridays) the articles will wrap up about the same time that the final movie of the Lord Of The Rings story is released. 

If anyone would like for me to ping them directly when I post the Tolkien Virgin articles or my Daily Tolkien articles let me know. I hope that you enjoy them!

[happymom]

Thanks for the ping. I'm finally getting caught up reading these articles. Great job!

[ecurbh]

Ring Ping!!

[Mudboy Slim]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/831398/posts