Silmarillion: Main characters (Book report)

[Glirdan]

Ok, so here's the deal. I'm reading the Silamarillion for my Grade 11 University level English class (independent study) and by the end of our March Break (which is about the second week of March) we need to have a book analysis done. Now, part of the criteria is to identify two main characters and about five secondary. I already have one main character picked out (Morgoth[if you think otherwise, please, let me know]). Now, what I need your help on is who do you think would be another main character? And which five should I choose as the secondary character's. My teacher wanted to discuss this with me later on but I said to myself "Why not ask the most knowledgeable Tolkien lover's I know?" So, if you don't mind, I'd really like to get your input on this subject. Thanks a million!

[Raynor]

- Beren/Luthien, since Tolkien calls their story as the "the chief one" in the Silmarillion;
- Earendil seeing that he is named the greatest Half-elven
- just seeing how many heroes he rescued, I would also consider Thorondor;
- Finrod helped the establishment of Men to the greatest degree,
- Feanor, chief gifted and trouble-maker
- Turin, for all the drama in his life, and his foretold role in the last battle.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The problem with this approach is, it doesn't work for the Silmarillion. Unlike a narrative such as LotR, the Sil is not one single story, but a collection of various tales and mythological accounts - like a book of short stories. You can define main characters for each of the tales, but they may not occur or be involved in the others. At the beginning, Eru is the one who is active, but later on, he isn't even mentioned. The Valar have their story, then for the most part drop out of the narrative, which concerns mostly Elves and later, Men.

It would be a good idea to discuss this problem with your teacher; perhaps you can do a detailed analysis for one of the tales and merely give a summary for the rest.

[Glirdan]

The problem with this approach is, it doesn't work for the Silmarillion. Unlike a narrative such as LotR, the Sil is not one single story, but a collection of various tales and mythological accounts - like a book of short stories.

I have noted this earlier yet I believe that I would probably still have to do two and five for the Valaquenta, Ainulindale, Quenta Silmarillion and (possibly) Akalabeth and Of the Rings of Power. If I do have to do this, I will aske my teacher exactly what she wants on the day that she returns. In the meantime, I'd still like to speculate because there are a lot of characters to choose from (and luckily, my teacher agrees with me) and they all had an important role. I agree with all the characters that Raynor mentioned. What are others thoughts on this?

[Gothmog]

What are others thoughts on this?

That you're task is impossible No, not really impossible, but as Esty pointed out; an ordinary approach is not recommendable when it comes to the Silmarillion. One option is to choose one of the many stories (Beren/Luthien or Turin perhaps?). An other option is to choose one theme and follow it through the different stories.

For example: the influence of Men during the War of the Jewels. One could follow the great heroes of mankind and specialize on their doings and deeds. That would narrow down the number of potential main characters and one could concentrate on the ones with most impact on history (Hurin/Turin, Tuor, Eärendil etc). Other themes are for example the Wood Elves, the Dwarfs or some other race/group that isn't described as detailed as the Noldo, where a single character is impossible to choose.

If you want to make it easy for yourself, choose someone like Turin with his own tale and comment his life. But my vote is still on one of many stories or one theme through all the stories. Good luck with your writing!

[Kuruharan]

The problem with this approach is, it doesn't work for the Silmarillion. Unlike a narrative such as LotR, the Sil is not one single story, but a collection of various tales and mythological accounts - like a book of short stories.

Actually, I don't see this as a problem at all. It is an opportunity to display your linguistic and mental skill by writing your way out of the problem. (I've found using big words in rapid succession will usually work wonders. Especially if the things you say are inherently contradictory. In fact, that will usually net bonus points because everyone will think you are really smart because they can't figure out what the Udun you are talking about.)

Oh wait...you actually wanted suggestions and were not helpfully providing an opportunity for me to display my seething (boiling, searing, towering inferno-like) hatred of the educational establishment.

You should do an analysis of Feanor and expound on how everything that happened afterwards was the result of his rather questionable decisions. Should be piles of material there. It would be a pretty easy way of tying all the tales together.

[Legolas in spandex]

Yeah, I'm doing a book report/project on the Silmarillion because the previous book I chose called 'Buried fire" by Jonathan Stroud was too easy. I haven't read but a little of the Silmarillion so far, but i'm up for it and I think I will enjoy it.

[Glirdan]

If you need any help with characters, take a look at the thread that I started up for my own analysis on the book. Have fun with it!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Actually, this topic can continue on the previous Sil report thread to which Glirdan has linked. I will merge the two threads. Then a general discussion can carry on that will be of interest to all.