Man behind the Mythology - Page 5 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-21-2004, 10:21 AM

I haven't found the reference for this question, but I will venture a guess, Squatter - is it referring to the creation of languages?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-22-2004, 05:42 PM

I'm afraid not, Esty. It's nice to see that this thread has stopped vegetating, though.

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-22-2004, 11:47 PM

...or does Tolkien mean his book, LotR or perhaps the Silmarillion?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-23-2004, 07:46 AM

Cease this wild guesswork! He's not talking about his writing or his languages.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:47 AM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-23-2004, 07:50 AM

Are you willing to give a tiny clue to reward me for at least attempting? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-23-2004, 07:52 AM

I already did, two posts ago (22nd January).

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:55 AM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Mariska Greenleaf · 01-26-2004, 08:19 AM

Quote:

'The notion that motor-cars are more "alive" than, say, centaurs or dragons is curious,' he says at one point; 'that they are more "real" than, say, horses is pathetically absurd. How real, how startlingly alive, is a factory chimney compared with an elm-tree: poor obsolete thing, insubstantial dream of an escapist.'

Taken from "Tree and Leaf"(1964)

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-30-2004, 11:02 AM

More specifically from On Fairy-stories. The answer is, of course, an elm-tree; being a satirical reversal of claims of 'escapism'. Well remembered.

Mariska Greenleaf · 02-02-2004, 01:40 PM

Thank you.

Give the explanation Tolkien gives to why Hobbits are small in size.

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-03-2004, 03:07 AM

Well, one does need to have a habit of reading small print to find that answer! (...or the idea of looking through the very excellent index to Tolkien's Letters... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) Here's what he says:

Quote:

They are made small (little more than half human stature, but dwindling as the years pass) partly to exhibit the pettiness of man, plain unimaginative parochial man... mostly to show up, in creatures of very small physical power, the amazing and unexpected heroism of ordinary men 'at a pinch'.

(PS - Mariska, I'm looking forward to a new 'minor works' question...)

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:12 AM February 03, 2004: Message edited by: Estelyn Telcontar ]

Mariska Greenleaf · 02-03-2004, 04:43 AM

That's the correct answer of course.

ps: I'll post a new minor work question right away...

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-04-2004, 07:30 AM

Which Canadian collaborated with Tolkien on several of his scholarly works and which not so serious endeavour did they begin together?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 02-07-2004, 03:34 PM

E.V. Gordon, his collaborator in compiling an edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Together they began the Viking Club for undergraduates, the main activities of which appear to have been drinking beer, reading sagas and singing comic songs.

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-07-2004, 03:39 PM

That's the right person, Squatter - go ahead with a new one!

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 02-07-2004, 04:48 PM

Who was 'Jo'?

Mariska Greenleaf · 02-10-2004, 06:43 AM

"Jo" was the first car Tolkien bought(in 1932), it was a Morris Cowley, and it was named "Jo" because the that were the first two letters of the license plate.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 02-10-2004, 02:28 PM

You're absolutely right, Mariska. Let's have another one.

Mariska Greenleaf · 02-11-2004, 02:18 AM

Thanks!

What is T.C.B.S., what was it's vision, and to what did it lead?

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-11-2004, 04:11 AM

T.C.B.S. was the Tea Club and Barrovian Society (the latter name could apply to this forum!

); it was started to exchange opinions on literature and to do readings (I couldn't find a reference to a specific vision in the books I checked); and it led to a theater performance of Sheridan's The Rivals, in which JRRT played Mrs Malaprop!! Wouldn't that have been a sight?!

Mariska Greenleaf · 02-11-2004, 04:35 AM

You're absolutely right, Ghosted Princess!

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-11-2004, 07:56 AM

Late in life Tolkien was swamped with fan mail while he wanted to finish the Silmarillion. Who became his part-time secretary and assistant and who gave that person the assignment?

HerenIstarion · 02-12-2004, 06:09 AM

out of the top of my head - probably Carpenter and probably Auden?

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-12-2004, 07:23 AM

No and no, HI - try again! Carpenter was his biographer, but not secretary, and Auden was neither.

HerenIstarion · 02-12-2004, 07:38 AM

hum...

I have a vague feeling I must know the answer, it just keeps haunting the cusps of my memory, but I can not get hold of it.

Neither one, you say?

Well, it must wait till I get anywhere near my bookshelf, than

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-18-2004, 02:00 AM

Here's a clue for this question - maybe that will help get the search for the answer started again! The person is a woman - since Tolkien didn't have many female acquaintances, that should make it easier.

Child of the 7th Age · 02-19-2004, 12:48 PM

Esty,

You must mean Joy Hill. She dealt with Tolkien's fan mail, and I think she was assigned to the job by the folk at Allen & Unwin. Sometimes she came down in person to Bournemouth.

I remember her name for another reason. When Hill was putting Tolkien's library in order, she found the poem Bilbo's Last Song written in an exercise book. It had apparently been "lost". In gratitude, Tolkien presented the poem to her, with its copyright, on 3 September 1970. In 1974, after Tolkien's death, both Houghton Mifflin and Allen & Unwin printed up a poster with this poem that was printed over a picture of a river scene. These were copyrighted under Hill's name and are technically "first editions". I have one of these posters hanging in my house because I love the poem. I also have the jigsaw puzzle of this same scene that came out two years later in the U.S. (I know.....I know....I'm hopelessly "addicted".)

Sorry for that digression. Now let's hope I have the right person!

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-19-2004, 01:16 PM

That's the right answer, Child, and thanks for the additional information!! Lucky you, to have such a wonderful collectible! Do you know if that poem has been published recently enough to be found in bookstores somewhere?

Child of the 7th Age · 02-20-2004, 02:05 PM

Esty,

Yes, it's definitely available in bookstores. Or if you can't find it there, look on e-bay. It only costs $8-12 and the illustrations are quite nice, since they are done by Pauline Baynes.

Let's see now.....another question..... Here's one of mythic proportions.

Shopkeepers who dealt with the elderly Professor Tolkien sometimes received what surprise in their hand?

Mariska Greenleaf · 02-23-2004, 05:15 AM

haha, this is funny!
He surprised shopkeepers by displaying his extra set of false teeth amidst the handful of change he held out to them.

Child of the 7th Age · 02-23-2004, 08:05 AM

Absolutely right, Mariska! The professor must have had a strain of hobbitish blood. I can not imagine an Elf or Man doing this....

Please continue with your question.

Mariska Greenleaf · 02-23-2004, 08:22 AM

Thanks.

Well, we do know that Tolkien was a very funny person, and didn't take himself too serious, so this is my next question:

He once participated in a swimming contest. What was so funny about that?

Mariska Greenleaf · 03-02-2004, 04:37 AM

Do you need a hint?

(Just gave one...)

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-03-2004, 02:27 AM

Did he swim with his hat on? (I've paged through the biography, trying unsuccessfully to find a reference, so this is only a guess. I'm assuming that

was the clue...) Should that be the right answer, please do tell more about it!

Mariska Greenleaf · 03-03-2004, 03:06 AM

the

was indeed the clue.
Tolkien once participated in a swimming contest while wearing a Panama hat and smoking his pipe. Imagine that!

I got this from Tolkien's biography by Professor Ralph C. Wood.

back to you Estelyn.

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-03-2004, 02:11 PM

This brief poem is admittedly not one of Tolkien's most brilliant works

; but it was his reaction to criticism on what?

Quote:

___ ____ __ ___ _____
is one of those things:
if you like you do:
if you don't, then you boo!

Mariska Greenleaf · 03-04-2004, 03:34 AM

I believe it's about the criticism on Lord of the Rings in general, or is it more specific?

The Lord of the Rings
is one of those things:
if you like you do:
if you don't, then you boo!

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-04-2004, 08:49 AM

That's the right answer, Mariska - your turn to post a new question.

Mariska Greenleaf · 03-04-2004, 09:20 AM

Tolkien referred to someone as an "Olympian". Who was this person?

Mariska Greenleaf · 03-12-2004, 02:34 AM

Hint needed?

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-12-2004, 03:32 AM

Yes, please - I have been thinking about this, but have no idea where to start looking...

01-21-2004, 10:21 AM	#161
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I haven't found the reference for this question, but I will venture a guess, Squatter - is it referring to the creation of languages? __________________ '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...'

01-22-2004, 05:42 PM	#162
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	I'm afraid not, Esty. It's nice to see that this thread has stopped vegetating, though. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

01-22-2004, 11:47 PM	#163
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	...or does Tolkien mean his book, LotR or perhaps the Silmarillion? __________________ '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...'

01-23-2004, 07:46 AM	#164
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Cease this wild guesswork! He's not talking about his writing or his languages. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:47 AM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ] __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

01-23-2004, 07:50 AM	#165
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Are you willing to give a tiny clue to reward me for at least attempting? [img]smilies/wink.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...'

01-23-2004, 07:52 AM	#166
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	I already did, two posts ago (22nd January). <font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:55 AM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ] __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

01-30-2004, 11:02 AM	#168
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	More specifically from On Fairy-stories. The answer is, of course, an elm-tree; being a satirical reversal of claims of 'escapism'. Well remembered. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

02-02-2004, 01:40 PM	#169
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	Thank you. Give the explanation Tolkien gives to why Hobbits are small in size. __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

02-03-2004, 04:43 AM	#171
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	That's the correct answer of course. ps: I'll post a new minor work question right away... __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

02-04-2004, 07:30 AM	#172
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Which Canadian collaborated with Tolkien on several of his scholarly works and which not so serious endeavour did they begin together? __________________ '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...'

02-07-2004, 03:34 PM	#173
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	E.V. Gordon, his collaborator in compiling an edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Together they began the Viking Club for undergraduates, the main activities of which appear to have been drinking beer, reading sagas and singing comic songs. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

02-07-2004, 03:39 PM	#174
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	That's the right person, Squatter - go ahead with a new one! __________________ '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...'

02-07-2004, 04:48 PM	#175
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Who was 'Jo'? __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

02-10-2004, 06:43 AM	#176
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	"Jo" was the first car Tolkien bought(in 1932), it was a Morris Cowley, and it was named "Jo" because the that were the first two letters of the license plate. __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

02-10-2004, 02:28 PM	#177
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	You're absolutely right, Mariska. Let's have another one. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

02-11-2004, 02:18 AM	#178
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	Thanks! What is T.C.B.S., what was it's vision, and to what did it lead? __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

02-11-2004, 04:11 AM	#179
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	T.C.B.S. was the Tea Club and Barrovian Society (the latter name could apply to this forum! ); it was started to exchange opinions on literature and to do readings (I couldn't find a reference to a specific vision in the books I checked); and it led to a theater performance of Sheridan's The Rivals, in which JRRT played Mrs Malaprop!! Wouldn't that have been a sight?! __________________ '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...'

02-11-2004, 04:35 AM	#180
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	You're absolutely right, Ghosted Princess! __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

02-11-2004, 07:56 AM	#181
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Late in life Tolkien was swamped with fan mail while he wanted to finish the Silmarillion. Who became his part-time secretary and assistant and who gave that person the assignment? __________________ '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...'

02-12-2004, 06:09 AM	#182
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	out of the top of my head - probably Carpenter and probably Auden? __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

02-12-2004, 07:23 AM	#183
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	No and no, HI - try again! Carpenter was his biographer, but not secretary, and Auden was neither. __________________ '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...'

02-12-2004, 07:38 AM	#184
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	hum... I have a vague feeling I must know the answer, it just keeps haunting the cusps of my memory, but I can not get hold of it. Neither one, you say? Well, it must wait till I get anywhere near my bookshelf, than __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

02-18-2004, 02:00 AM	#185
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Here's a clue for this question - maybe that will help get the search for the answer started again! The person is a woman - since Tolkien didn't have many female acquaintances, that should make it easier. __________________ '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...'

02-19-2004, 12:48 PM	#186
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Tolkien's secretary Esty, You must mean Joy Hill. She dealt with Tolkien's fan mail, and I think she was assigned to the job by the folk at Allen & Unwin. Sometimes she came down in person to Bournemouth. I remember her name for another reason. When Hill was putting Tolkien's library in order, she found the poem Bilbo's Last Song written in an exercise book. It had apparently been "lost". In gratitude, Tolkien presented the poem to her, with its copyright, on 3 September 1970. In 1974, after Tolkien's death, both Houghton Mifflin and Allen & Unwin printed up a poster with this poem that was printed over a picture of a river scene. These were copyrighted under Hill's name and are technically "first editions". I have one of these posters hanging in my house because I love the poem. I also have the jigsaw puzzle of this same scene that came out two years later in the U.S. (I know.....I know....I'm hopelessly "addicted".) Sorry for that digression. Now let's hope I have the right person! __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 02-19-2004 at 12:56 PM.

02-19-2004, 01:16 PM	#187
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	That's the right answer, Child, and thanks for the additional information!! Lucky you, to have such a wonderful collectible! Do you know if that poem has been published recently enough to be found in bookstores somewhere? __________________ '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...'

02-20-2004, 02:05 PM	#188
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Esty, Yes, it's definitely available in bookstores. Or if you can't find it there, look on e-bay. It only costs $8-12 and the illustrations are quite nice, since they are done by Pauline Baynes. Let's see now.....another question..... Here's one of mythic proportions. Shopkeepers who dealt with the elderly Professor Tolkien sometimes received what surprise in their hand? __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

02-23-2004, 05:15 AM	#189
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	haha, this is funny! He surprised shopkeepers by displaying his extra set of false teeth amidst the handful of change he held out to them. __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

02-23-2004, 08:05 AM	#190
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Absolutely right, Mariska! The professor must have had a strain of hobbitish blood. I can not imagine an Elf or Man doing this.... Please continue with your question. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

02-23-2004, 08:22 AM	#191
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	Thanks. Well, we do know that Tolkien was a very funny person, and didn't take himself too serious, so this is my next question: He once participated in a swimming contest. What was so funny about that? __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

03-02-2004, 04:37 AM	#192
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	Do you need a hint? (Just gave one...) __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

03-03-2004, 02:27 AM	#193
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Did he swim with his hat on? (I've paged through the biography, trying unsuccessfully to find a reference, so this is only a guess. I'm assuming that was the clue...) Should that be the right answer, please do tell more about 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...'

03-03-2004, 03:06 AM	#194
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	the was indeed the clue. Tolkien once participated in a swimming contest while wearing a Panama hat and smoking his pipe. Imagine that! I got this from Tolkien's biography by Professor Ralph C. Wood. back to you Estelyn. __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

03-04-2004, 03:34 AM	#196
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	I believe it's about the criticism on Lord of the Rings in general, or is it more specific? The Lord of the Rings is one of those things: if you like you do: if you don't, then you boo! __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

03-04-2004, 08:49 AM	#197
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	That's the right answer, Mariska - your turn to post a new question. __________________ '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...'

03-04-2004, 09:20 AM	#198
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	Tolkien referred to someone as an "Olympian". Who was this person? __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.