Elwing's choice ... because of Luthien - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

akhtene · 03-27-2003, 06:01 PM

Re-reading recently the story of the Voyage of Earendil, I came across something that utterly perplexed me.

When offered the choice by the Valar, Earendil asks his wife to make the choice.

Quote:

And Elwing chose to be judged among the Firstborn Children of Iluvatar, because of Luthien

I just wonder how Luthiene influenced her choice.
Did Elwnig desire to belong to the same kindred as her grandmother? (kind of snobbish [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )
Or was she scared of Luthien's fate and thus saving her husband andnherself from the unknown, that is after death?

Sound ideas, please!

[ March 28, 2003: Message edited by: akhtene ]

Luthien_ Tinuviel · 03-27-2003, 06:34 PM

Both of your ideas sound fairly valid. It might also be that since the elves elves lost Luthien, their beloved, Elwing was making sure that they gained some as well as losing some of their number. Just a thought, probably not true. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Lalaith · 03-28-2003, 03:55 AM

I had assumed that it meant that Elwing had loved Luthien dearly and wanted to be of her kin, that is, an elf.
But the other interpretations are very interesting, and quite valid.

Morwen Tindomerel · 03-28-2003, 02:00 PM

I don't think Elwing could have known her grandmother, according to Tolkien's chronologies Beren and Luthien die before Elwing is born.

However Elwing grows up surrounded by Elves of Doriath who undoubtedly told her a great deal about her grandmother, how much they loved her and missed her and how like her Elwing was. Add in all the Elven kin she meets in Aman, including possibly her great grandmother Melian still grieving for the daughter she's lost. And one can see how Elwing might have felt she just couldn't put them all through that kind of loss all over again.

Besides she may have simply identified more with her Elven side, and maybe she liked what she'd seen of Aman and her kin there.

03-27-2003, 06:34 PM	#2
Luthien_ Tinuviel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2002 Location: A very lovely tree-hut in the Chunnel. Posts: 804	Both of your ideas sound fairly valid. It might also be that since the elves elves lost Luthien, their beloved, Elwing was making sure that they gained some as well as losing some of their number. Just a thought, probably not true. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ I am a nineteen-year-old nomad photographer who owns a lemonade stand. You know what? I love Mip.

03-28-2003, 03:55 AM	#3
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	I had assumed that it meant that Elwing had loved Luthien dearly and wanted to be of her kin, that is, an elf. But the other interpretations are very interesting, and quite valid. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-28-2003, 02:00 PM	#4
Morwen Tindomerel Wight Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minas Anor or Annuminas the Golden Posts: 187	I don't think Elwing could have known her grandmother, according to Tolkien's chronologies Beren and Luthien die before Elwing is born. However Elwing grows up surrounded by Elves of Doriath who undoubtedly told her a great deal about her grandmother, how much they loved her and missed her and how like her Elwing was. Add in all the Elven kin she meets in Aman, including possibly her great grandmother Melian still grieving for the daughter she's lost. And one can see how Elwing might have felt she just couldn't put them all through that kind of loss all over again. Besides she may have simply identified more with her Elven side, and maybe she liked what she'd seen of Aman and her kin there.