Man behind the Mythology - Page 4 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Beren87 · 11-16-2003, 11:41 PM

You've got it.

Mariska Greenleaf · 11-17-2003, 04:32 AM

Quote:

'It was like discovering a wine-cellar filled with bottles of amazing wine of a kind and flavor never tasted before. It quite intoxicated me.'

What is Tolkien talking about?

**The Saucepan Man** · 11-17-2003, 04:36 AM

He was talking about the Finnish language, which he taught himself in order to read the Kalevala.

(Either that or the Kalevala itself - it's not entirely clear from the reference that I found. But I think that it's the language.)

[ November 17, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]

Mariska Greenleaf · 11-17-2003, 04:42 AM

It took you 4 full minutes to figure it out???
[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

**The Saucepan Man** · 11-17-2003, 07:29 PM

Yes, I was quicker with the Google button this time. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

OK, an easy one I am afraid, but here we go nevertheless.

What was the alternative name for the Inklings' watering hole?

Estelyn Telcontar · 11-18-2003, 12:20 AM

The 'Eagle and Child' is also known as 'Bird and Baby', which I find particularly funny!! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

**The Saucepan Man** · 11-18-2003, 09:08 PM

Yes, it tickled me too Esty. You are, of course correct. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I saw in the paper recently that it was up for sale. I was sorely tempted to change my name to Barliman Butterbur and put in an offer. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Estelyn Telcontar · 11-21-2003, 06:12 AM

Tolkien liked good plain English food. Which cooking did he detest?

Telchar · 11-21-2003, 06:49 AM

French cuisine!

Mariska Greenleaf · 11-21-2003, 06:51 AM

French cooking.

Ai ai, too late!
[img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ November 21, 2003: Message edited by: Mariska Greenleaf ]

Estelyn Telcontar · 11-21-2003, 07:03 AM

Both are correct, and Telchar was first - your turn!

Telchar · 11-21-2003, 05:24 PM

During the time of our life we all meet women, some beautiful, intelligent, and wonderful - others charming, anmusing .... I could go on and on. Our dear professor once got in contact with a woman which he refered to with these words:

Quote:

Why is such a woman let loose? I begin to feel that I am shut up in a madhouse.

Who was he talking about?

Estelyn Telcontar · 11-27-2003, 01:25 PM

I've been hunting for this one but haven't found it so far. Will you give us a clue, maybe which year or at least decade or something similarly helpful?

Telchar · 11-27-2003, 05:10 PM

I'll hint you Esty [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Hint: US publication of the Hobbit (Paperback)

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 11-27-2003, 07:35 PM

Christopher Tolkien and Humphrey Carpenter have tastefully blanked out the woman's name in my edition of the Letters. She was a representative of Ballantine Books, with whom he had a telephone conversation regarding the cover design for their paperback edition. I think his comments are amusing enough to be worth quoting in full:

Quote:

Mrs. ____ [a representative of the paperback publishers] did not find time to visit me. She rang me up. I had a longish conversation; but she seemed to me impermeable. I should judge that all she wanted was that I should recant, be a good boy and react favourably. When I made the above points again, her voice rose several tones and she cried: 'But the man hadn't TIME to read the book!' (As if that settled it. A few minutes' conversation with the 'man', and a glance at the American edition's pictures should have been sufficient.) With regard to the pink bulbs she said as if to one of complete obtusity: 'they are meant to suggest a Christmas Tree'. Why is such a woman let loose? I begin to feel that I am shut up in a madhouse.

[ 8:40 PM November 27, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Telchar · 11-28-2003, 01:40 AM

Quote:

I think his comments are amusing enough to be worth quoting in full

They sure are Squatter...

And yes, her name is not known - please go on...

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 11-28-2003, 09:08 PM

Right you are.

What was unusual about a copy of The Fifth Book of Thucydides belonging to Zillah Sherring?

Telchar · 11-29-2003, 05:02 PM

Zillah Sherring bought the book at a second hand book store. Along with alot of different inscriptions Zillah found Tolkiens name, wrote him a letter (in 1965) - JRRT in return explained that the inscriptions were Gothic - or what he thought to be tohtic in 1910 when he bought the book.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 11-29-2003, 05:43 PM

Spot on.

Telchar · 12-03-2003, 05:45 PM

When did JRRT begin writing LOTR? (Be as precise as you can, please)

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-04-2003, 07:38 AM

He began writing 66 years ago this month, in December 1937. On the 19th, he wrote to one of the editorial staff at Allen & Unwin:

Quote:

I have written the first chapter of a new story about Hobbits - "A long expected party".

That chapter was very likely written sometime in the three days preceding that date.

Telchar · 12-04-2003, 08:11 AM

Quote:

That chapter was very likely written sometime in the three days preceding that date.

Very good Estelyn! the 'three days preciding' is because in a letter from december 16 he claims that he hasn't started writing a sequal to The Hobbit.

You can continue [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-04-2003, 06:01 PM

Of whom did Tolkien say,

Quote:

He was for long my only audience.

Mariska Greenleaf · 12-05-2003, 04:12 AM

He was referring to CS Lewis.

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-05-2003, 04:29 AM

That's right, Mariska! I don't think we Tolkien fans realize quite how much we owe to Lewis - the whole passage reads:

Quote:

The unpayable debt that I owe to him was not "influence" as it is ordinarily understood, but sheer encouragement. He was for long my only audience. Only from him did I ever get the idea that my "stuff" could be more than a private hobby.

Your turn now...

Mariska Greenleaf · 12-05-2003, 07:20 AM

Quote:

"We liked one another and enjoyed talking mostly in jest but we had nothing to say to one another at deeper or higher levels"

Who is the professor talking about?

12-05-2003, 07:57 AM

C.S.Lewia? [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

Mariska Greenleaf · 12-05-2003, 08:02 AM

No, that's not the one I'm looking for... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Telchar · 12-06-2003, 04:35 AM

C.S. Williams, a writer, and friend of C.S. Lewis

Mariska Greenleaf · 12-06-2003, 11:10 AM

That's right.

Telchar · 12-08-2003, 05:11 PM

What did, according to the professor, provide a most admirable plea in defence of singing in one's bath?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 12-13-2003, 09:43 AM

An extract from the Old-English Exeter Book Gnomics that Christopher Tolkien had quoted in the letter to which he was replying. Sadly, my edition of the letters doesn't give the line, although perhaps it would suggest itself to one better read in medieval manuscripts. This little gem can be found in Letter #90 (24th November, 1944).

Telchar · 12-13-2003, 07:35 PM

YEP!

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 12-14-2003, 10:15 PM

Tavrobel and Kortirion in The Book of Lost Tales were both places that played a part in Tolkien's life. What are their real names, where are they and why was Tavrobel in particular significant to Tolkien?

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:45 AM December 15, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-02-2004, 05:39 AM

It’s high time to answer this question – nice to have more leisure for the enjoyable details after the holidays! I will give the quotes from BoLT, taken from Christopher Tolkien’s comments on The Cottage of Lost Play:

Quote:

Kortirion … would become in after days Warwick (and the elements Kor- and War- were etymologically connected);
…Tavrobel … would afterwards be the Staffordshire village of Great Haywood.

From 1913 until her [Edith Bratt’s] marriage in March 1916 she lived in Warwick and my father visited her there from Oxford; after their marriage she lived for a while at Great Haywood (east of Stafford), since it was near the camp where my father was stationed, and after his return from France he was at Great Haywood in the winter of 1916-17.
…the fair copy of The Cottage of Lost Play (and quite possibly the original composition of it) was actually done there.

I can’t help but think that those must have been special times of his life and places that meant a lot to him to have him memorialise them in his mythology!

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-09-2004, 03:19 PM

Exactly. Well quoted, Esty.

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-10-2004, 04:13 AM

We all know, I presume, that Tolkien was born in South Africa, though he had few memories of his time there. Later in his life, there was another connection to that country. What was it?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-10-2004, 10:10 AM

Christopher Tolkien was stationed in South Africa with the R.A.F during the war, notably at Kroonstad and Standerton.

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-10-2004, 11:15 AM

Righto, Squatter, and that's how chapters of the LotR in progress made their way to the land of JRRT's birth! Please continue...

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-11-2004, 02:47 PM

Then continue I shall, hopefully without causing another hiatus.

What is the "insubstantial dream of an escapist"?

11-17-2003, 04:36 AM	#123
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	He was talking about the Finnish language, which he taught himself in order to read the Kalevala. (Either that or the Kalevala itself - it's not entirely clear from the reference that I found. But I think that it's the language.) [ November 17, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ] __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

11-17-2003, 04:42 AM	#124
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	It took you 4 full minutes to figure it out??? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

11-17-2003, 07:29 PM	#125
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Yes, I was quicker with the Google button this time. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] OK, an easy one I am afraid, but here we go nevertheless. What was the alternative name for the Inklings' watering hole? __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

11-18-2003, 12:20 AM	#126
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	The 'Eagle and Child' is also known as 'Bird and Baby', which I find particularly funny!! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ '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...'

11-18-2003, 09:08 PM	#127
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Yes, it tickled me too Esty. You are, of course correct. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I saw in the paper recently that it was up for sale. I was sorely tempted to change my name to Barliman Butterbur and put in an offer. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

11-16-2003, 11:41 PM	#121
Beren87 Master of the Secret Fire Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Between fire and ice, death and life Posts: 2,241	You've got it.

11-21-2003, 06:12 AM	#128
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Tolkien liked good plain English food. Which cooking did he detest? __________________ '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...'

11-21-2003, 06:49 AM	#129
Telchar Stonehearted Dwarf Smith Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,247	French cuisine! __________________ Anar Kaluva Tielyanna.

11-21-2003, 06:51 AM	#130
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	French cooking. Ai ai, too late! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [ November 21, 2003: Message edited by: Mariska Greenleaf ] __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

11-21-2003, 07:03 AM	#131
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Both are correct, and Telchar was first - your turn! __________________ '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...'

11-27-2003, 01:25 PM	#133
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I've been hunting for this one but haven't found it so far. Will you give us a clue, maybe which year or at least decade or something similarly helpful? __________________ '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...'

11-27-2003, 05:10 PM	#134
Telchar Stonehearted Dwarf Smith Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,247	I'll hint you Esty [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Hint: US publication of the Hobbit (Paperback) __________________ Anar Kaluva Tielyanna.

11-28-2003, 09:08 PM	#137
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Right you are. What was unusual about a copy of The Fifth Book of Thucydides belonging to Zillah Sherring? __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

11-29-2003, 05:02 PM	#138
Telchar Stonehearted Dwarf Smith Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,247	Zillah Sherring bought the book at a second hand book store. Along with alot of different inscriptions Zillah found Tolkiens name, wrote him a letter (in 1965) - JRRT in return explained that the inscriptions were Gothic - or what he thought to be tohtic in 1910 when he bought the book. __________________ Anar Kaluva Tielyanna.

11-29-2003, 05:43 PM	#139
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Spot on. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

12-03-2003, 05:45 PM	#140
Telchar Stonehearted Dwarf Smith Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,247	When did JRRT begin writing LOTR? (Be as precise as you can, please) __________________ Anar Kaluva Tielyanna.

12-05-2003, 04:12 AM	#144
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	He was referring to CS Lewis. __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

12-05-2003, 07:57 AM	#147
Lisa Arden Guest Posts: n/a	C.S.Lewia? [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

12-05-2003, 08:02 AM	#148
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	No, that's not the one I'm looking for... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

12-06-2003, 04:35 AM	#149
Telchar Stonehearted Dwarf Smith Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,247	C.S. Williams, a writer, and friend of C.S. Lewis __________________ Anar Kaluva Tielyanna.

12-06-2003, 11:10 AM	#150
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	That's right. __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

12-08-2003, 05:11 PM	#151
Telchar Stonehearted Dwarf Smith Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,247	What did, according to the professor, provide a most admirable plea in defence of singing in one's bath? __________________ Anar Kaluva Tielyanna.

12-13-2003, 09:43 AM	#152
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	An extract from the Old-English Exeter Book Gnomics that Christopher Tolkien had quoted in the letter to which he was replying. Sadly, my edition of the letters doesn't give the line, although perhaps it would suggest itself to one better read in medieval manuscripts. This little gem can be found in Letter #90 (24th November, 1944). __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

12-13-2003, 07:35 PM	#153
Telchar Stonehearted Dwarf Smith Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,247	YEP! __________________ Anar Kaluva Tielyanna.

12-14-2003, 10:15 PM	#154
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Tavrobel and Kortirion in The Book of Lost Tales were both places that played a part in Tolkien's life. What are their real names, where are they and why was Tavrobel in particular significant to Tolkien? <font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:45 AM December 15, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ] __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

01-09-2004, 03:19 PM	#156
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Exactly. Well quoted, Esty. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

01-10-2004, 04:13 AM	#157
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	We all know, I presume, that Tolkien was born in South Africa, though he had few memories of his time there. Later in his life, there was another connection to that country. What was it? __________________ '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...'

01-10-2004, 10:10 AM	#158
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Christopher Tolkien was stationed in South Africa with the R.A.F during the war, notably at Kroonstad and Standerton. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

01-10-2004, 11:15 AM	#159
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Righto, Squatter, and that's how chapters of the LotR in progress made their way to the land of JRRT's birth! Please continue... __________________ '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...'

01-11-2004, 02:47 PM	#160
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Then continue I shall, hopefully without causing another hiatus. What is the "insubstantial dream of an escapist"? __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

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