Unraveling the Enchantment: Why Tolkien Opted for Dreams as a Portal to the Past and Future

 As a child, I was entranced by the depiction of the elvish civilization in Tolkien's works, and have since pondered what makes it so captivating. Initially, I had believed that the Elvish art depicted in Peter Jackson's films was what captivated me.  Jackson masterfully utilized Art Nouveau as the main style for Elvish architecture in Rivendell, with its flowing curves and colors that evoke a sense of connection to nature and moral goodness, characteristic of the “Firstborn". Upon further reflection, I came to the realization that Tolkien likely did not intend for the beauty of Elvish craftsmanship, marvels, or even magic to be the core elements that captivate those “Elf-friends”. But if not those, then what exactly does? I believe that this question is closely tied to why Tolkien selected dreams as a means to revisit the past and foresee the future. As a result, I will commence my discussion by delving into potential answers to this inquiry.

Before answering this question,  I would like to present an alternative version of time travel for "The Lost Road," which we can then compare to the original. Here's the story:

As the persecution of the Faithful by the King's party intensifies, Elendil grows increasingly anxious that their cause will soon come to an end. To preserve their legacy, he seeks a way to pass on their fight. With the assistance of the Eldar from the West, he creates a device that allows him to communicate with Alboin and share his story.

I'm curious to know what you think about this "who lives, who dies, who tells your story" plot. Although some may argue that it fills a gap by explaining how Alboin can suddenly speak words he never thought he'd say, I strongly believe that introducing such a plot risks undermining everything Tolkien aimed to accomplish with his work. To understand this point, we may first notice the similarities between this plot and plots in films like Interstellar. While Interstellar may be considered a classic in science fiction, it is still just that - a work of science fiction. Remember that Tolkien is regarded as a giant in the realm of fantasy, as opposed to science fiction. What is the difference in essence? Drawing from my own reading experience, I have observed that science fiction writers like Jules Verne often exhibit a deep admiration for human technology, while also conveying a sense of disenchantment with our world based on it. As readers of Tolkien, we can observe this sense of "disenchantment" portrayed in The Lord of the Rings through Saruman's destruction of Fangorn (To Saruman, Trees are just trees), and this is everything that Tolkien is against. Taking into account this perspective, we can approach the question more closely: What is the true enchantment of the elvenland and, more broadly, Tolkien's fantasy? And what are the elements that an "elf-friend" is expected to discover and adore during “their perilous journey”? In my opinion, the true enchantment lies in the creation and the gift of Eru, which is unlike anything from elf, human, or Sauron.

This leads to another question: what are the specific creations and gifts from Eru, and how are they connected to Tolkien's choice of using dreams as a "portal" for time-traveling?

The first and perhaps most fundamental gift from Eru is the gift of life itself. This encompasses both the physical and spiritual forms of life, and it is a gift that should be respected and cherished by all beings. Therefore, the act considered as Melkor's most unforgivable crime is his corruption of the Elves into Orcs. The portrayal of time machines, such as the TARDIS in Doctor Who, in science fiction often suggests that they pose a risk of altering the life form of their passengers during transportation (taking the case of River Song as an example), whether it be physical or spiritual. This concept runs contrary to the belief in Tolkien's works that the creation of Eru should not be violated. However, dreams offer a perfect sandbox where one can experience, learn, and feel without changing anything in either world.

The other gifts bestowed by Eru are highly dependent on the individual recipients. As suggested in Le Roman de la Rose：

Some say that there’s nothing in dreams

But lies and fables; however, one may

Have dreams which are not in the least

Deceitful, but which later become clear.

Apacen (Foresight) are among the gifts reserved for a select few Elves and Men. Dreams and visions serve as the natural means through which these gifts are expressed and utilized: Idril Celebrindal dreams about the fall of Gondolin and prepares a secret way for exodus; In the film, Arwen Undómiel, despite foreseeing both death and life on her path, chooses to continue on her journey.  These are the most enchanting moments in Tolkien’s world. 

There are more gifts bestowed upon ordinary mortals that are equally beautiful. In dreams, we often experience a feeling of déjà vu. This feeling may be the inspiration for the parallel scenes in The Lost Road; Another remarkable gift from Eru is the ability to choose to carry our loss, longing, and pain with us, and to transform them into our fantasies and dreams. Without such gift, how could Tolkien create Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Battle of Unnumbered Tears) and the Dance of Tinúviel?

Dream is a gift and may be the last comfort for the wanderers crossing oceans of time and space. -Y.P.L