The Fall of Númenor, which was released in 2022, is a book that features Tolkien’s work on Númenor. However, there have been questions about whether it is really necessary considering that a lot of the information you can also get from Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, History of Middle-earth, or letters of JRR Tolkien, aside from theRead More
Why are there so many songs in LOTR?
LOTR and The Hobbit are known to have a lot of songs. This is a common criticism of the books – that there are just too many songs in Lord of the Rings. While it is certainly left up to the viewer whether that is true or not, the songs happen to hold a significanceRead More
Was Smith of Wootton Major a Middle-earth tale?
In Tolkien’s letter # 309a, it is stated that this book (Smith of Wootton Major) that Tolkien sent a child, Philip Neal, “is not about the same time or country” as The Hobbit. We would know that it is not about The Hobbit, but it is unknown whether it would be based in Middle-earth orRead More
Who created the Hobbits?
It is commonly stated that Tolkien made hobbits a reflection of himself, which could be evident whether intentional or not. “On a blank leaf I scrawled: ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.’ I did not and do not know why.” (Letters) Tolkien’s (generation of) idea of hobbits The first edition ofRead More
The Life and Downfall of Sauron
Sauron, the titular character of Lord of the Rings – was born sometime before the Ainulindalë as one of the Maiar. Before creating the One Ring, Sauron was of the Maiar of Aulë remaining mighty in the lore of them but later became only less evil than Melkor the Morgoth of Arda. Sauron later hadRead More
Was it fair for the Elves to leave Middle-earth before LOTR?
The Elves leave Middle-earth at different points in time, with the last ship sailing sometime in the Fourth Age. It is commonly asked whether it was really fair for the Elves that leave Middle-earth when the time of war was looming. The most obvious answer was that the Elves ability to leave Middle-earth was knownRead More
Did Tolkien really hate modern technology?
Tolkien is commonly known to have a negative view on technology, claiming that “labor-saving machinery only creates endless and worse labour.” (L # 88) While the actual extent to this view may be oftentimes exaggerated – this is also to be expected since he fought in the First World War, had two sons fighting inRead More
Leaf by Niggle Reading
Leaf by Niggle – a story written by Tolkien – features Niggle, who had a long journey to make, which he did not like because in his view, it interfered with his painting. It would start out with him finding a place in this world for his paintings, and his love for it. We wouldRead More
Why didn’t Arwen go to the Undying Lands after Aragorn’s death?
Arwen didn’t go to the Undying Lands because she renounced this ability and chose not to go. However, she would use this decision as an argument for something else at the end of Lord of the Rings. It is commonly noted that as part of the half elven family line, she had the choice toRead More
What determines the Spring of Arda?
There are two lamps of the Valar. They are Illuin and Ormal. They were brought on and built by Aulë at the prayer of Yavanna, in order to light Middle-earth – built along the encircling seas. This need for light was expressed after the Valar entered Middle-earth, subduing the fires of Melkor. Lamps of the Valar –Read More