tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post1238913575737882903..comments2023-11-07T06:20:12.181-08:00Comments on Tolkien: Medieval and Modern: An Elegy for an Angel"Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04348913969813157482noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post-78840794617952411592017-06-02T08:09:31.396-07:002017-06-02T08:09:31.396-07:00Mourning as a translation of history into myth? Go...Mourning as a translation of history into myth? Good question! I would say, yes, this is one of its functions: to translate the life of our loved ones into meaning, which means showing the way in which their lives fulfilled some purpose. The relationships they had and the emotions we feel for them are intricately bound to this sense of purpose: not just what they did, but what they meant to us. Very important lesson here! RLFB"Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"https://www.blogger.com/profile/04348913969813157482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post-44753526622417202962017-06-01T11:13:19.366-07:002017-06-01T11:13:19.366-07:00I'm interested to know--does Lewis' toolsh...I'm interested to know--does Lewis' toolshed metaphor truly apply to mythology? If so, it would mean that simply immersing oneself in another culture's mythology is as complete as becoming part of that culture. Possible, but plausible? Tolkien, optimistic in the power of mythology, might say yes. In the hypothetical case of tracing the history of Theoden, looking at his laws, public speeches, and edicts indeed would be looking from the outside in. But would reading about the joy and sorrow of his mourners transport the historian back in time to match the emotion and faith in Theoden that Theoden's followers experienced? It probably depends on the historian. And on the elegy-story.<br /><br />Speaking of elegies, your post reminded me of some additional fitting evidence for Tolkien's perception of elegies as sub-creative myths, the deepest respect. In Book II, Ch. 5, the Company finds Balin's tomb. The period of mourning and personal sorrow is brief, consisting merely of "Gimli cast[ing] his hood over his face," silent respect, and Frodo's complex-emotioned memories "of Bilbo and his long friendship with the dwarf, and of Balin's visit to the Shire long ago." This period is quickly replaced with a searching for Balin's story, which I believe adopts precisely the "historical tone" of mythology you mention, ending in Ori's valiant account of the final moments: "We cannot get out. The end comes... drums, drums in the deep...they are coming." Not exactly your typical elegy, especially given that its author is among the deceased himself. <br /><br />It almost seems as if the Company becomes this "Middle-Earth historian" you mention. Balin's life's impact is indeed clear in Ori's words--as the Company feels, Balin's courage to defend what he loved inspired valiant efforts to the last moment in those around him. <br /><br /><br />-JJ<br />(Blog comment #5)"Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"https://www.blogger.com/profile/04348913969813157482noreply@blogger.com