Do Elves Dream of Eclectic Sleep? - Page 2
© Michael Martinez
But how do the Elves become so embroiled in regret? What is the difference between the Elven nature and the Mannish nature which leads the Elven races to dwell in sorrow?
On numerous occasions, Tolkien wrote or stressed that the Elves were immortal within the timeframe of Arda's existence, but that they were not eternal. It was their nature to exist as living beings for the duration of Time itself, as measured by "the life of Arda". And yet, Arda had not existed from the beginning of Time, and was not necessarily fated to exist until the end of Time. Arda may end and Ea, the rest of the universe, may continue. But Ea is identified with Time and Space. So, if the Elves endure until Arda ends, does Arda end with Time, and Time with Arda, or does Time continue onward to some other end?
The Elves did not know the answer to this question. Nor could they perceive or foresee any ultimate fate for themselves beyond the inevitable conclusion of their existence. In a note attached to "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth" (the Debate of Finrod and Andreth), Tolkien stipulates that "Elvish 'immortality' is bounded within a part of Time (which [Finrod] would call the History of Arda), and is therefore strictly to be called rather 'serial longevity', the utmost limit of which is the length of the existence of Arda....A corollary of this is that the Elvish fëa is also limited to the Time of Arda, or at least held within it and unable to leave it, while it lasts."
In elucidating further upon this point, Tolkien said that "beyond the 'End of Arda' Elvish thought could not penetrate, and they were without any specific instruction....It seemed clear to them that their [bodies] must then end, and therefore any kind of re-incarnation would be impossible....All the Elves would then 'die' at the End of Arda. What this would mean they did not know. They said therefore that Men had a shadow behind them, but the Elves had a shadow before them."
Now, the shadow behind Men was the shadow of their Fall, whereas the shadow before Elves was the shadow of their End. Men, in the perception of the Elves, were granted release from life, from the bondage to the world which to the Elves became a great burden. It was confusing for the Elves to learn that Men should so want to remain in the world, whereas the Elves wanted to be assured they would continue after the world. It was rather like the crew of a sinking ship watching in amazement as passengers leaped from the lifeboats back aboard the larger vessel.
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