Sauron the Cat or was Tolkien simply a dog lover?

One of the stories from The Book of Lost Tales, Part II I'd like to discuss is "The Tale of Tinúviel" which is the earliest form of the love story of Beren and Lúthien. Again many elements are present which ultimately became the final story. But there are other elements quite unlike what I have seen before. The most interesting to me was the character of Tevildo, Lord of Cats, servant of Melko. Melko would be Melkor (Morgoth) of the published works--the black foe of the world. This is plain enough to see all throughout the early writings.

Having a cat as a chief officer is a different approach. These cats were big and mean. I don't recall exact dimensions but given their intimidation factor I would say they are easily bigger than lions. As the tale goes it was Beren who was enslaved to Tevildo working in his kitchens rather than awaiting death in a dungeon. Lúthien, aided by Huan captain of the dogs, came to rescue her love essentially throwing down Tevildo's castle walls and reducing the evil cats within to their modern "puny" size. This she was able to do after a trap was set for Tevildo who was ambushed by Huan and forced to give up the secrets to his castle. The ultimate cat and dog scuffle.

Again you can see the germ of the story of Beren and Lúthien. Tevildo most certainly a forerunner of Sauron. Although Christopher Tolkien noted: "It would scarcely be true, I think, to say even that Sauron 'originated' in a cat: in the next phase of the legends the Necromancer (Thû) has no feline attributes" (p. 54, The Book of Lost Tales, Part II). However, the showdown between Huan and the Necromancer remains along with the Necormancer hate of Huan more than any other beast--a particularly feline attribute. But what a thought--the Great Evil Eye that stalks Frodo as a Cat? Wouldn't have that made for a much different Lord of the Rings.

Christopher Tolkien also noted: "While the strong element of 'explanatory' beast-fable (concerning cats and dogs) was to be entirely eliminated, and Tevildo Prince of Cats replaced by the Necromancer, Huan nonetheless remained from it as the great Hound of Valinor" (p. 54, The Book of Lost Tales, Part II). I am left to conclude that Professor Tolkien was a dog-lover. And if this is the case my respect for the Professor increases yet again (when I thought that wouldn't be possible). Follow my logic:

• Tevildo, the cat, is evil, repulsive mean (as are all cats in my opinion). Meanwhile Huan, the dog, is faithful, brave, heroic (as are all dogs in my opinion). Point one for dogs.
• Huan defeats Tevildo in the orginal tale. Point two for dogs.
• After Huan's victory Lúthien is able to destroy Tevildo's lair: "The behold, the air was filled with the voices of cats and the house of Tevildo shook; and there came therefrom a host of indwellers and they were shrunk to puny size and were afeared of Tinúviel..." (p. 29, The Book of Lost Tales, Part II). Cats reduced to a puny fearful state? Point three for dogs. 
• Ultimately, what survived to the published works of Tolkien was Huan the Hound, not Tevildo the cat. Point four for dogs. 

Indeed, it's clear to me who the winner is. 

The Book of Lost Tales, Part II

It's been too long since my last post. I am pleased with my reading progress though. I have now completed The Book of Lost Tales, Part II and I am close to finishing The Lays of Beleriand as well. That's volumes two and three of The History of Middle-earth and what were to be my February and March reads. Once I've accustomed myself to the structure and style of these histories it's been fascinatingly eye opening to see how Middle-earth evolved. Years of painstaking writing and revisions across Tolkien's life time. The germ of an idea that would later sprout into a published work after many revision or in some cases after decades of abandonment. As I alluded to in my lost post my motivation for this undertaking was to find scraps of story to add into my chronological read (see 2013 blog). But being 2 and 3/4's through the first books I can honestly say that even if I incorporate nothing into my reading schedule this has been a very fruitful endeavor.

Lost Tales, Part II continues the story of Eriol. The wandering man who found his way to the Elvish isel of Tol Eressëa. He longs to stay with the Elves but is given a sort of prerequisite. He must learn their histories before granting permission to stay. Thus in Tolkien's original concept the Lost Tales were Eriol's accounts of Elvish histories later found and published--in a golden book no less. Shade of the Red Book of Westmarch abound. In part two we see the stories of Luthién and Beren, Túrin, the fall of Gondolin, the Nauglafring (necklace of the Dwarves), and a rewrite of the Eriol story.

The are hints, shades, and even direct passages of these stories in the later published forms in The Silmarillion and The Children of Húrin. What makes it maddening when reading is names had not yet been finalized or characters not yet invented. For example, instead of Felagund as Lord of Nargothrond, Celegorm (later a son of Fëanor) was the king. Seeing the evolution is super cool. Deciding to integrate these old texts into a reading schedule is a challenge. Plus changes like Beren the Elf (this first stories) to Beren the Man (published stories) makes for huge changes in story arcs.

I will address a couple of stories from Lost Tales, Part II in detail in other posts. However, one super interesting piece of this book was the rewrite of the Eriol story arc (which never was completed). Eriol now becomes ælfwine. This new conception of a man who finds Tol Eressëa makes it explicitly clear of the link between Middle-earth and England. In fact, Tol Eressëa was to become England in this story arc. Tolkien made notes of specific geographical locations and what modern English towns they would become. It's a fascinating idea which ties in ancient English history with invasions from the Vikings, Normans, and Romans, among others. I have to wonder if this was the predominant story if Tolkien's work would be so internationally loved.

I am now at a loss as to how the Eriol story-arc could be integrated with the published works other than perhaps picking up bits and pieces from the stories he heard that were later published. I may follow Tolkien's lead and abandon the character as well. However, there are some neat interactions between he and the Elves and some interesting characters introduced who did not fully leave the mythology though they are just a hint in the published works. We shall see.

The Book of Lost Tales, Part I

I've never experienced a polar vortex before. Apparently it shuts down a city (along with a foot of snow) for several days. As a result I head plenty of time to read. Plenty of time. The Book of Lost Tales, Part I is complete. The Book of Lost Tales, Part II is begun. I honestly thought I would trudge along fairly slowly with the Histories of Middle-earth need all of each month for the 12 books.

However, I have found my readings quite interesting and daunting thus far. Interesting to see the earliest forms of Tolkien's great stories (As early as 1915!), what themes and characters survived and which ones faded from Middle-earth. It's daunting because my ultimate desire is to glean what I can from these stories to add to my already begun chronological reading of Middle-earth. I'm not sure how long it might take me to figure out what can be useful without being terribly contradictory or how to translate old names into the published names that ultimately exist.

I'm sure for some folks out there the very thought of adding sections of unfinished, abandoned, corrected texts into the published cannon my seem a bit sacrilegious. Indeed, in one Tolkien site I follow  (TORn) there are many discussion on what is a Tolkien "purist" and it could be that my pursuit does not abide by the purist definition. However, a mythology is meant to grow and expand and in the end the way I seek to grow and expand it is by the author's own words (or in some rare occurrences the words of his literary guardian and son Christopher Tolkien).

Alas, I digress. Now for my entirely too short summary of The Book of Lost Tales, Part I. Many of the earliest histories of Middle-earth are contained in this book published, as it were, in a much more concise form in The Silmarillion. Some interesting features in the earliest writings: Gnomes, Fairies, and Elves all seem to be somewhat interchangeable--which takes a bit of getting used to since not a Gnome or Fairy appears in the published works.

I've heard it said and read somewhere that Tolkien lamented the fact that England had no distinct mythology or legends. What most would consider English, King Arthur, is actually of French descent. This lament fueled Tolkien's early writings. Indeed, Middle-earth was to be tied directly to England. In Lost Tales I we meet a man, Eriol who has found his way to the Elvish island of Tol Eressëa. He meets many interesting characters at the Cottage of Lost Play where Elves and children of Men reside. In his wonderment Eriol seeks to learn all he can.

Thus, nearly every night, Eriol is drawn into the Lost Tales as told by different island residents. He learns of the Music of the Ainur, Melkor's wroth, the beginnings of the Eldar as well as the Sun and Moon, and so on. Many of these elements were further amended and released in The Silmarillion but Eriol did not survive the revisions. Indeed, it's been hinted at by Christopher Tolkien (and should be fully revealed in part II) the island that Eriol discovered will eventually become England. Indeed, some of the features described in the landscape match rather well with the home of Edith Tolkien (J.R.R. Tolkien's wife) or places the Professor was stationed/trained while in the service.

For my processes I pondering how I might integrate some of the works. Do I simply focus on the tales and perhaps add bits and pieces of truncated detail to The Silmarillion? Or do I keep the Eriol character and place him somewhere chronologically? To that end, the second age, perhaps around Tar-Ancalimon would make sense. The Númenórean's had establishments in Middle-earth at this point and on the island of Númenor it's clear groups are forming that either are friendly with the Elves or not.

It's clear that Eriol is a sea-fairing wanderer who did not come from Númenor. I can easily imagine him arriving at Númenor and harboring there a while and perhaps learning of Tol Eressëa from the Elf-friends. After a season of rest and replenishing supplies I could envision him sailing for the Elvish refuge. Perhaps a lot of conjecture on my part but it gives insight on how my mind works to reconcile the stories.

I'd rather not lose Eriol if possible but I don't know that I would enjoy reading the same story I've previously read in the chronological history. I'll keep the blog posted on ways I might reconcile this "problem" (as if it were truly a problem that deserved time and devotion). I can always fall back on the fact that Professor Tolkien (as confirmed by his son) enjoyed rehashing the same details over and over again though perhaps in slightly different wordings.

I will look forward to discussing some other key stories from Part II post. A hint: Cats and Dogs. Until next time.

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

One more brief note--I received an unexpected gift this past Christmas: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.  A collection of hundreds of letters from the Professor to his family, friends, and fans. I was able to dive in during holiday travel and several quotes really struck me. From time to time I may also add some of these to my blogging. Without further ado:

• "The greatness I meant was that of a great instrument in God's hands-a mover, a doer, even an achiever of great things, a beginner at the very least of large things" This was written to a friend in response to learning of another friend's death in World War I. Indeed, I think Tolkien achieved the greatness he desired--and at the very least gives an inspiring look at what greatness could be.
• "At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts." Yes, what matters is there here and now. I may ascribe to be a man of integrity but if I do not practice integrity in this very moment all my grand aspirations are worthless. 
• In writing to one of his sons concerning marriage and the relationship of men and women Tolkien gives insight as to how men out to view women: "...as companions in the shipwreck not guiding stars." Indeed, when I make my wife my guiding star in this life it always ends in hurt and heartache for us both. She is human just as I am. She has tremendous abilities and limited brokenness as I do. I believe, as Tolkien did, that this world is fallen--so a shipwreck is an apt analogy--and in the midst of a shipwreck I'd need a companion. 
• In the same letter to his son above: "However, the essence of a fallen world is that the best cannot be attained by free enjoyment, or by what is called 'self-realization' (usually a nice name for self-indulgence, wholly inimical to the realization of other selves); but by denial, by suffering." A mentor of mine says one of the greatest attributes a man can obtain is that of delaying gratification. Sometimes the best things in life come by denying oneself rather than indulging.
• "You have to understand the good in things, to detect real evil."

Indeed, the more I read about Tolkien the more impressed I am. 

The Road Goes Ever On

Hello and happy New Year! And of course, being January 3rd, don't forget to raise your glass to the Professor tonight at 9pm!

I am super excited to continue my blog through Middle-earth in 2014. As I alluded to in my last post of 2013 I will undergo my biggest Tolkien reading challenge yet: The Histories of Middle-earth. 12 volumes detailing Tolkien's extensive work on his mythology which he began around 1915 and worked on until his death in 1973. But the 12 volumes works out nicely for me--one for each month.

My plan is this: to update this blog once a week (check on Friday's!), unless of course inspiration strikes me, and highlight what I am learning in my readings. I am super excited to see if there are any bits and pieces I may be able to add to the chronological reading schedule I've been working on. Also I want learn more about the process of writing this epic fantasy which has brought so much enjoyment to me personally. With that being said, I have little idea what to expect.

The Histories seem to be a little more academic in spots (with many references to several other biographies and books concerning Tolkien) as Christopher Tolkien traces the etymology of various names and places throughout the writing process. And it seems that his father was apt to beginning writing when time and inspiration allowed--and wrote on whatever and wherever that was! I cannot imagine the time the son put into pouring through the father's notes trying to determine when things were written, what as "finalized", so on and so forth.

Alas, I digress. I have just begun The Book of Lost Tales, Part I, which at roughly 297 pages is the (ahem) shortest of all the Histories. One of Tolkien's earliest writings was a story about The Cottage of Lost Play. At this point Elves were Gnomes (that takes some getting used to!) and the names were much different. But even so one can see the beginnings of what would later be published works of Tolkien. It was interesting to see the inspiration for Tolkien's writing: his longing for an English mythology, the country-side where he or his future wife, Edith, resided.

It's clear, at the beginning at least, this Middle-earth was to be directly connected to England, sort of a mythology of pre-history. Given that construction I'm debating if I can at all incorporate some of the readings about the Cottage into a chronological read. The story, in part, is a man (Eriol) who travels to Tol Eressëa (initially conceived by Tolkien to become England) and meets some Gnomes (Elves) who foster children of Men. Eriol is taken in by the scene and reveals in his family histories one of his relations talked of such a place in a dream-like fashion. Is this place real? Is it a dream? I am not quite sure yet but depending on which perspective I land on it may make for a fitting read.

Accompanying this story is a poem: The Little House of Lost Play Mar Vanwa Tyaliéva:
"We wandered shyly hand in hand, 
small footprints in the golden sand, 
and gathered pearls and shells in pails,
while all about the nightingales
were singing in the trees" (p. 30, The Book of Lost Tales, Part I).

Hopefully in the next week I'll continue to make headway. In the words of Bilbo Baggins: the road goes ever on...