Deep Past of Middle Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

09-02-2003, 11:10 PM

I can't seem to find anything about the deep dark past that Middle-Earth is based on? I had a thought that originally Middle-Earth was the plannet that we live on but many milenia after a nuclear holocost, but I may be confusing my books? Does anyone know the answer?

Thank you. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Lyta_Underhill · 09-02-2003, 11:46 PM

Welcome to the Downs, DifficultQueries! Great name! If you read the Silmarillion, you will find a history of Ea from the beginning, before thought became form when Eru Iluvatar spoke the world into being, and thus there is no room for Middle Earth to be after anything; rather I believe it is a distant past or alternative reality.

There are plenty of books set in a technologically primitive society that has arisen after a nuclear holocaust; Riddley Walker (by Russell Hoban) is one of my favorite of these and has been compared to both Tolkien and also to Huck Finn...I wouldn't quite go there, but Huck Finn is closer!

I hope this helps! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Cheers,
Lyta

burrahobbit · 09-03-2003, 12:40 AM

The idea is that Middle-earth exists in a fictional period of our own Earth's history.

Also the Silmarillion, yes. The creation story is in there.

[ September 03, 2003: Message edited by: burrahobbit ]

Alatariel · 10-01-2003, 08:41 AM

It is my understanding that Tolkien created Middle-earth partly to give people of his native country, England, their own mythology. The geography and landscapes are loosely based on England and other parts of Europe. It is not really meant to have taken place in our history, but more of a mythological story, such as the Greek gods/goddesses.

burrahobbit · 10-01-2003, 01:56 PM

Partly, originally, but he sort of gave up that idea after a while, before LotR.

09-02-2003, 11:10 PM	#1
DifficultQueries Guest Posts: n/a	Deep Past of Middle Earth I can't seem to find anything about the deep dark past that Middle-Earth is based on? I had a thought that originally Middle-Earth was the plannet that we live on but many milenia after a nuclear holocost, but I may be confusing my books? Does anyone know the answer? Thank you. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

09-02-2003, 11:46 PM	#2
Lyta_Underhill Haunted Halfling Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: an uncounted length of steps--floating between air molecules Posts: 841	Welcome to the Downs, DifficultQueries! Great name! If you read the Silmarillion, you will find a history of Ea from the beginning, before thought became form when Eru Iluvatar spoke the world into being, and thus there is no room for Middle Earth to be after anything; rather I believe it is a distant past or alternative reality. There are plenty of books set in a technologically primitive society that has arisen after a nuclear holocaust; Riddley Walker (by Russell Hoban) is one of my favorite of these and has been compared to both Tolkien and also to Huck Finn...I wouldn't quite go there, but Huck Finn is closer! I hope this helps! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Cheers, Lyta __________________ “…she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth; and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after, and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.”

09-03-2003, 12:40 AM	#3
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,424	The idea is that Middle-earth exists in a fictional period of our own Earth's history. Also the Silmarillion, yes. The creation story is in there. [ September 03, 2003: Message edited by: burrahobbit ] __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?

10-01-2003, 08:41 AM	#4
Alatariel Wight Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Cliffs of Insanity Posts: 178	It is my understanding that Tolkien created Middle-earth partly to give people of his native country, England, their own mythology. The geography and landscapes are loosely based on England and other parts of Europe. It is not really meant to have taken place in our history, but more of a mythological story, such as the Greek gods/goddesses. __________________ You mean you'll put down your rock and I'll put down my sword and we'll try to kill each other like civilized people?

10-01-2003, 01:56 PM	#5
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,424	Partly, originally, but he sort of gave up that idea after a while, before LotR. __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?