Post by Andorinha on Jan 18, 2009 9:18:42 GMT -6
Week four - reading assignment
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Message 1 of 5 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 5/4/2002 6:48 PM
Yikes! On Wednesday I tried to post a few "reading hints" on this week's assignment. I never checked to make sure it worked. Now I go looking for that discussion thread, and I find it doesn't exist!
(My computer is prone to these sorts of problems - this is not a complaint against the system.)
Sorry everyone! And this was a bad week for it to happen. My sense is that in this section of Sil new readers don't need a guide as much as they need a cheerleader - someone saying "Come on, you can do it - there's more good stuff ahead!"
I'll try to remember the useful thoughts I came up with, and post them again...
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Message 2 of 5 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 5/4/2002 7:11 PM
This week we are reading chapters 12-16 of Quenta Silmarillion.
Let's be honest: These aren't the most exciting chapters in this book. Lots of re-grouping and setting up of kingdoms - getting everybody in place for the next series of stories. Chapter 14 is particularly dry. As I read it, I thought I know these stories, these lands, and these people - I actually care about these kingdoms - and my eyelids are drooping. How can people who are reading this for the first time get through it? So don't feel bad if that chapter was hard.
The geography of Beleriand is important, but you have that wonderful map in the middle of chapter 14. For some people, that will be enough for you to be able to have a clear sense of where everyone is. But for others, Beleriand is still just a muddy mess in your mind. That's o.k. Keep referring to that map as you read the rest of the story. As people move around from place to place, the various locations will become real for you, and the map will gradually take on meaning. Just think how meaningless the LOTR maps would be, if you hadn't tramped all over M.E. with the fellowship.
Men have appeared, but we haven't really met any, yet. That will change next week.
The Noldor have settled in, building multiple kingdoms. Nargothrond is important. So is Gondolin. (fun trivia - Gondolin is where Glamdring, Orcrist, and Sting all came from - check it out in the Hobbit.)
Of course, everyone caught the bit where Galadriel and Celeborn fell in love, right? No story given, which is a disappointment, but at least the connection has happened.
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Message 3 of 5 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 5/4/2002 7:23 PM
Sorting out who's who:
King Thingol of Doriath was formerly known as Elwe, and he was the first lord of the Teleri. (He fell in love with Melian and was left behind.) Therefore he is kin to the Teleri in Aqualonde who were slain by Feanor to get their ships (when he was trying to find the fastest way out of Valinor). That's why everyone tries to avoid telling him that story - usually referred to as the kinslaying.
Finarfin (who stayed behind in Valinor) was married to the Eawen, the daughter of Olwe, who was the brother of Elwe (Thingol). That means that Finarfin's children, including Finrod and Galadriel, were close relations of Thingol. He is their great-uncle. That's why he allows them into his kingdom, and remains on good terms with them.
Clear as mud?
Look again at the family tree of Finwe in the back of the book.
Also notice that Aredhel, Eol, and Maeglin are on this chart. We got their story in chapter 16. Notice that Maeglin and Idril are cousins - yet he is in love with her, and the elves do not consider that appropriate. This relationship will be important later!
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Message 4 of 5 in Discussion
From: Glorfindle
Sent: 5/4/2002 11:24 PM
Fantastic job Megn!!! Where were you when I was in English class 30 years ago??
Glor
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Message 5 of 5 in Discussion
From: Azurite
Sent: 5/5/2002 1:26 PM
I confess that a week ago I got so heavily into The Silmarillion that I read it all straight through - couldn't and didn't stop - and now I'm having to remind myself where the reading of the week stops, to go back to it.
Having the families of Fëanor, Fingolfin and Finarfin firmly in my head helped a lot to keep track of what was happening. The other family to remember was Thingol's, which was easy enough, as they were so distinctive.
But yes, first time through this section wasn't the easiest. I found the geography clear, but not necessarily the chronology.
namaste,
Azurite
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 1 of 5 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 5/4/2002 6:48 PM
Yikes! On Wednesday I tried to post a few "reading hints" on this week's assignment. I never checked to make sure it worked. Now I go looking for that discussion thread, and I find it doesn't exist!
(My computer is prone to these sorts of problems - this is not a complaint against the system.)
Sorry everyone! And this was a bad week for it to happen. My sense is that in this section of Sil new readers don't need a guide as much as they need a cheerleader - someone saying "Come on, you can do it - there's more good stuff ahead!"
I'll try to remember the useful thoughts I came up with, and post them again...
___________________________________________
Reply
Message 2 of 5 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 5/4/2002 7:11 PM
This week we are reading chapters 12-16 of Quenta Silmarillion.
Let's be honest: These aren't the most exciting chapters in this book. Lots of re-grouping and setting up of kingdoms - getting everybody in place for the next series of stories. Chapter 14 is particularly dry. As I read it, I thought I know these stories, these lands, and these people - I actually care about these kingdoms - and my eyelids are drooping. How can people who are reading this for the first time get through it? So don't feel bad if that chapter was hard.
The geography of Beleriand is important, but you have that wonderful map in the middle of chapter 14. For some people, that will be enough for you to be able to have a clear sense of where everyone is. But for others, Beleriand is still just a muddy mess in your mind. That's o.k. Keep referring to that map as you read the rest of the story. As people move around from place to place, the various locations will become real for you, and the map will gradually take on meaning. Just think how meaningless the LOTR maps would be, if you hadn't tramped all over M.E. with the fellowship.
Men have appeared, but we haven't really met any, yet. That will change next week.
The Noldor have settled in, building multiple kingdoms. Nargothrond is important. So is Gondolin. (fun trivia - Gondolin is where Glamdring, Orcrist, and Sting all came from - check it out in the Hobbit.)
Of course, everyone caught the bit where Galadriel and Celeborn fell in love, right? No story given, which is a disappointment, but at least the connection has happened.
___________________________________________
Reply
Message 3 of 5 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 5/4/2002 7:23 PM
Sorting out who's who:
King Thingol of Doriath was formerly known as Elwe, and he was the first lord of the Teleri. (He fell in love with Melian and was left behind.) Therefore he is kin to the Teleri in Aqualonde who were slain by Feanor to get their ships (when he was trying to find the fastest way out of Valinor). That's why everyone tries to avoid telling him that story - usually referred to as the kinslaying.
Finarfin (who stayed behind in Valinor) was married to the Eawen, the daughter of Olwe, who was the brother of Elwe (Thingol). That means that Finarfin's children, including Finrod and Galadriel, were close relations of Thingol. He is their great-uncle. That's why he allows them into his kingdom, and remains on good terms with them.
Clear as mud?
Look again at the family tree of Finwe in the back of the book.
Also notice that Aredhel, Eol, and Maeglin are on this chart. We got their story in chapter 16. Notice that Maeglin and Idril are cousins - yet he is in love with her, and the elves do not consider that appropriate. This relationship will be important later!
__________________________________________
Reply
Message 4 of 5 in Discussion
From: Glorfindle
Sent: 5/4/2002 11:24 PM
Fantastic job Megn!!! Where were you when I was in English class 30 years ago??
Glor
____________________________________________
Reply
Message 5 of 5 in Discussion
From: Azurite
Sent: 5/5/2002 1:26 PM
I confess that a week ago I got so heavily into The Silmarillion that I read it all straight through - couldn't and didn't stop - and now I'm having to remind myself where the reading of the week stops, to go back to it.
Having the families of Fëanor, Fingolfin and Finarfin firmly in my head helped a lot to keep track of what was happening. The other family to remember was Thingol's, which was easy enough, as they were so distinctive.
But yes, first time through this section wasn't the easiest. I found the geography clear, but not necessarily the chronology.
namaste,
Azurite