Would Sandra Bullock be a good Mrs. Isildur?: Should we treat Tolkien's work in a scholarly manner?

» isengar - Should we treat Tolkien's work in a scholarly manner?

Although it's apparent that you know what you're talking about, unless you're Christopher Tolkien himself it's impossible to take at face value many of the statements and much of the information that you present in your article if there are no references made to what texts you're deriving your points from. What I'm saying is that, while very few will or can challenge or refute your points, we should at least be given a fair chance to do so. That's the only grounds on which worthwhile debate can occur: if we all point to the sources from which we got our facts, so that others may do their own research and therefore prepare themselves to engage in the discussion. Otherwise it all sounds anecdotal and unprofessional, even if all that's being said is true and factual. I would encourage this from all but your most playful articles.

I'd like to take up argument on one point. "Nimloth was was a sapling of Galathilion, the White Tree of Tirion..." You made a mistake. Nimloth was a sapling of Celeborn, White Tree of Eressëa, which was in turn a sapling of Galathilion and so on. This is expressly stated on page 263 of _The Silmarillion (Second Edition)_.

Your narrative on Elendil and his family is intriguing but I'd love to know where you got the dates of their children's births. From one of Tolkien's letters I presume. I also don't remember Oropher and Amdir. My understanding was that Gil-galad was the last surviving Noldor king. Otherwise I've read of Glorfindel being an Elven-lord but that's all. I'd appreciate it if you could solve that puzzle for me.

"One of the Eldarin customs was to forgo the begetting of children in time of war..."

This is very interesting. Where can I find out more about Eldarin customs?

Otherwise, I must say you did a good job at partly retelling the story of the Second Age in an engaging sort of narrative. As to Sandra Bullock, I personally seriously doubt her talents. But, in any case, to make any actress assume a convincing portrayal of a 200 year old Númenorean queen with all her wisdom, tragedy and sensitivity is a monumental task. The fall of Atlantis has captivated us at least since Plato described it in _Timeaus & Critias_. Tolkien's tale of Atalantë is certainly fuller in its account, imaginative, powerful and relevant to us today, who are plagued with the deception of fame, fortune, plastic surgery and celebrities. It would make a great 3 hour film epic but only if put in the hands of the right director.

-- posted by isengar