Father Christmas Letters: 1925 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-13-2011, 08:08 AM

With this letter, Tolkien begins to flesh out his Christmas mythology. Though he writes only one letter for the boys to share, it is long and includes a second note from his new character. The illustration consists of two drawings on one sheet, with numerous explanatory notes. Here it is:

Tolkien does enjoy playing with the "North Pole" concept, doesn't he?! Making it a literal pole is what enables him to create this particular story. (By the way, Hammond and Scull refer to the North Pole as drawn by JRRT as "a large inverted icicle".) He also combines that with "polar bear" to make his new character, the North Polar Bear. The well-meaning but clumsy bear is a character whom the children particularly enjoyed; the JRRT Companion and Guide quotes Priscilla, who describes him as 'the enfant terrible, always involved in crises. His somewhat irreverent attitude to authority gave us particular pleasure'. He also provides Tolkien with the opportunity to use a different style of writing - because of NPB's "fat paw".

What do you think is the significance of FC's move to a new home? Why is the North Pole patched in red - just so that it will show, or do you think there could be some significance to that detail?

12-13-2011, 08:08 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Father Christmas Letters: 1925 With this letter, Tolkien begins to flesh out his Christmas mythology. Though he writes only one letter for the boys to share, it is long and includes a second note from his new character. The illustration consists of two drawings on one sheet, with numerous explanatory notes. Here it is: Tolkien does enjoy playing with the "North Pole" concept, doesn't he?! Making it a literal pole is what enables him to create this particular story. (By the way, Hammond and Scull refer to the North Pole as drawn by JRRT as "a large inverted icicle".) He also combines that with "polar bear" to make his new character, the North Polar Bear. The well-meaning but clumsy bear is a character whom the children particularly enjoyed; the JRRT Companion and Guide quotes Priscilla, who describes him as 'the enfant terrible, always involved in crises. His somewhat irreverent attitude to authority gave us particular pleasure'. He also provides Tolkien with the opportunity to use a different style of writing - because of NPB's "fat paw". What do you think is the significance of FC's move to a new home? Why is the North Pole patched in red - just so that it will show, or do you think there could be some significance to that detail? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'