Silmarillion Summer: Part One Recap
Thank you so much to everyone who has been participating in our Silmarillion Summer Read-Along! As we are moving on to Part Two this week, I wanted to share a recap of what we’ve read and discussed in Part One. I’ve really enjoyed keeping up with the text chat, and our voice chats have been an absolute delight!
Recap of Part One: Introduction to The Silmarillion
Ainulindalë through Ch. 5 of Quenta Silmarillion
In Part One, we framed the Silmarillion in context by reading through the Waldman Letter. In Tolkien’s own words, we became familiar with the three major themes of the Silmarillion: Fall, Mortality, and Machine. He explained the difference between the magic of the elves versus that of the enemy, calling one Art and the other Machine. We also gained a deeper understanding of his motivations for creating his secondary world, in particular his desire to create a mythology specifically for England.
We then began with Tolkien’s Ainulindalë, the Music of the Ainur, his own ‘Genesis’ account of Arda. This included the creation of the world through the music of the Ainur, angelic beings, under the direction of Eru Ilúvatar, the creator God. In this, we also see the fall of Melkor into evil and the destruction brought about by his choice, though Tolkien emphasizes that amidst all of the discord Ilúvatar remained sovereign.
In Valaquenta, we became acquainted with the Valar — the Ainur who chose to go into the world — and their servants, the Maiar. The Valar were enamored with the Children of Ilúvatar, who are Elves and Men, and chose to go into the world in order to shape it and order it for their sake.
We then moved on to Quenta Silmarillion, or “The Silmarillion Proper” as it’s often called where the main narrative began.
Arda is created and the realms of the world are formed by the Valar, though they are constantly interrupted by the destructive efforts of Melkor. First, they wrought two Lamps which lit the skies of Arda; but Melkor knocked them down. This caused a reshaping of the Earth and ended the Spring of Arda.
In Chapter Two, Aulë created the Dwarves — an act which resembled Melkor’s own motives in its pride and impatience, but was reconciled to Ilúvatar with Aulë’s repentance. Yavanna also created the Ents in this chapter.
In Chapter Three, the Elves awakened and were almost immediately under the shadow of Melkor who taught them to fear. The Valar summoned the Elves to come to Valinor, which lead to the Sundering of the Elves. Some Elves came all the way to Valinor, some came part of the way, others did not come at all.
Elwë, Lord of the Teleri, remained in Middle-earth and was wed to Melian, one of the Maiar.
At the end of Chapter Five, we are introduced to the Finwë Family Tree.
Topics We Discussed
The role played by Music in the creation and history of Arda
Was Melkor always evil? Absolute evil vs. the Fall
Free will and the supremacy of Ilúvatar
The disruptive nature of evil - Melkor does not create, he only alters and corrupts
Melkor’s discord arose after he separated himself from the rest of the Valar
Arda was created for the Children of Ilúvatar, not for its own sake
The pairing of the Valar, especially those who seem to have opposing powers or realms such as Aulë and Yavanna.
The magic of the Elves as Art vs. the Machine of the Enemy
The gifts of Ilúvatar vs. the duties that come with these gifts (such as immortality and being bound to the fate of Arda)
Did the gifts of Ilúvatar to Men make them more like Melkor?
Similarities between Melkor and the Valar and Elves
Was it right for the Valar to bring the Elves to Valinor when they did?
Men were deprived from the chance to be as steeped in goodness as the Elves because so many Elves had gone to Valinor and the Valar themselves had drawn back from Middle-earth
The Elves were supposed to be shepherds of Men but the Valar pulled them away too soon
Letter 183 - The way of evil in Tolkien’s world always comes down to a desire to be worshipped or to have dominion of something that was not meant to be.
Our next voice chat is scheduled for tonight at 9pm Eastern, where we will begin discussing Part Two — chapters 6 through 18! If you’d like to sign up to join our Book Club, please do so by filling out the form here.