im confused

The Lady of the Wood · 01-28-2003, 03:39 PM

im reading the silmarillion and im on page 109 i think.i like it so far, but its really confusing.could someone help me??? understand it

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 01-28-2003, 04:08 PM

What do you want to know? Can you be more specific about what you don't understand?

Arien the Maia · 01-28-2003, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Lady of the Wood
im reading the silmarillion and im on page 109 i think.i like it so far, but its really confusing.could someone help me??? understand it

I'll try to help!

Insidious Rex · 01-28-2003, 05:37 PM

Well I dont know how much help it would be but theres a Chronology of the Silmarillion online you can use while you are reading the book. The address is http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mithra...Chronology.htm but its not an in depth discussion of the work or anything. now what you really need is one or more reading buddies to bounce thoughts off as you read it. thats kind of what im doing now (im up to chapter 21). That helps more.

The Lady of the Wood · 01-29-2003, 02:09 PM

thanks guys, hopefully by using these tips ill be able to understand it better

Blackboar · 01-29-2003, 02:10 PM

It hurts your eyes even trying to read what it says in green!

Agburanar · 02-05-2003, 05:59 AM

had to read the first few chapters a couple of times before I managed to absorb enough for the rest to make sense. Once you've cracked which elves are going where it begins to get a lot easier. I found it very useful to keep a map of arda (at the particular age pbviously) handy for reference.

Insidious Rex · 02-05-2003, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agburanar
had to read the first few chapters a couple of times before I managed to absorb enough for the rest to make sense. Once you've cracked which elves are going where it begins to get a lot easier. I found it very useful to keep a map of arda (at the particular age pbviously) handy for reference.

I made the mistake of reading it while going to and from work on the subway. A bad idea because you can never really get a grasp of time line and character development and the names, god, the names become unmanigable. i had to keep going back and reading passages again: ok who was this Hurin person again? How did so and so die again? whats this strange reference to a dwarf helm again? This is definitely a book you set aside time for not one you read lightly. and its probably one you want to read a few times over a few years. and yeah taking notes is a great idea. I wish i had done that. are there crib notes somewhere?

Aeryn Evenstar · 02-06-2003, 09:16 AM

I'm currently on Chapter 21 and I am loving this book. It reads like a mythology book....or history book. I have my Complete Guide to Middle-Earth handy at all times and a notebook for making notes. lol. At the beginning when they are talking about all the Valar and Valier it was confusing. There is an index at the back of the book that helps also.

Ruinel · 02-20-2003, 11:50 PM

The Lady of the Wood

Hints:
a) read the Sil when there are no distractions (if possible).
b) read a "story" all the way through before putting the book down.
c) if you find the names of elves and men to be a bit confusing, start making flow charts of who is related to whom... etc.
d) on the flowchart, start putting symbols next to names that are special. Example: someone dies... put an x next to their name; someone is king... put a crown next to their name.

I really loved the Sil. I think you will also.

Lady of Rohan · 02-25-2003, 09:59 PM

I am sure that I will also find these tips useful. I am currently writing down all the important bits of information that I think will help me to understand the rest of the book as it gets more complicated. I am only on page 40 so it hasn't had a chance to get complicated yet, but every one has said that is so I am writing it all down. I think that I will make a flow chart with little symbols next to them as the book goes on, and I actually have something to confuse me.

Thank you for all of the tips!

Ithilwin · 03-02-2003, 01:57 PM

I'm on page 61 and fortunately I don't find it confusing.Not as confusing as the Book of Lost Tales...Reading this I understant better about the Ainur,the Valar,the Maiar,where each place was,things that were a bit hard to understand in BoLT.It's really a great book

Blackboar · 03-02-2003, 03:11 PM

I'm reading it for the second time now, and its alot better than the first.

I'm now on the Return of the Noldor!

Ithilwin · 03-08-2003, 01:19 PM

I'm still at the Flight of the Noldor.It seems that I don't have time for reading...

Let's hope now I finished that school contest drawing I'll find all the time I want

Lady of Rohan · 03-08-2003, 04:33 PM

I am now on chapt 3. I understand the 2nd chapter very well, but there is one thing I would like to ask. What exactly are the valar? Are they gods, or what are they? If I find out later, or if it already has told me, then just say so.

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 03-08-2003, 05:10 PM

It has already told you. Go back and read Valaquenta. Also, if you scroll down the main page of this forum, there is a thread that discusses what the Valar are.

Lady of Rohan · 03-08-2003, 05:22 PM

Oh, thank you!

Pardon my ignorance (I just didn't want to read any threads because it might give away something that I haven't yet read).

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 03-08-2003, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lady of Rohan
Oh, thank you! Pardon my ignorance.

You are not ignorant. The Silmarillion is a very hard book.

Ithilwin · 03-09-2003, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
The Silmarillion is a very hard book

I wouldn't say very hard,a little maybe.But not as confusing as BoLT

Agburanar · 03-10-2003, 08:42 AM

I find the Sil very confusing... but BoLT???

I started it and about five minutes later my head exploded... (figuratively of course). That has to be the most confusing book he wrote, though maybe because it is a collection of stories not arranged or finished by Tolkien.

01-28-2003, 03:39 PM	#1
The Lady of the Wood Enting Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the dark side of the moon Posts: 89	im confused im reading the silmarillion and im on page 109 i think.i like it so far, but its really confusing.could someone help me??? understand it

01-28-2003, 04:08 PM	#2
*Sister Golden Hair* Queen of Nargothrond Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Akron, Ohio - USA Posts: 7,121	What do you want to know? Can you be more specific about what you don't understand? __________________ "Whither go you?" she said. "North away." he said: "to the swords, and the siege, and the walls of defence - that yet for a while in Beleriand rivers may run clean, leaves spring, and birds build their nests, ere Night comes." AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide

01-28-2003, 05:37 PM	#4
Insidious Rex Quasi Evil Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 4,634	RE: im confused Well I dont know how much help it would be but theres a Chronology of the Silmarillion online you can use while you are reading the book. The address is http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mithra...Chronology.htm but its not an in depth discussion of the work or anything. now what you really need is one or more reading buddies to bounce thoughts off as you read it. thats kind of what im doing now (im up to chapter 21). That helps more. __________________ "People's political beliefs don't stem from the factual information they've acquired. Far more the facts people choose to believe are the product of their political beliefs." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

02-05-2003, 05:59 AM	#7
Agburanar Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dorset Posts: 608	had to read the first few chapters a couple of times before I managed to absorb enough for the rest to make sense. Once you've cracked which elves are going where it begins to get a lot easier. I found it very useful to keep a map of arda (at the particular age pbviously) handy for reference. __________________ I would wish, were it to any avail, that the LORD OF THE RINGS FILMS had never been wrought. ROLLING STOCK, WE'RE ROLLING STOCK!!

03-02-2003, 01:57 PM	#12
Ithilwin Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Imladris Posts: 332	I'm on page 61 and fortunately I don't find it confusing.Not as confusing as the Book of Lost Tales...Reading this I understant better about the Ainur,the Valar,the Maiar,where each place was,things that were a bit hard to understand in BoLT.It's really a great book __________________ ~[color=sky blue]*[/color]~ ...White was her garment and it had no ornament, save a silver girdle, but above her brow her forehead was adorned with a slender silver lace, and small gems were on it, glittering white, yet her hair was dark as the evening and her eyes were bright as the starlit heaven; queenly she looked and she shone as a white star in the sunlight.

01-29-2003, 02:09 PM	#5
The Lady of the Wood Enting Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the dark side of the moon Posts: 89	thanks guys, hopefully by using these tips ill be able to understand it better

01-29-2003, 02:10 PM	#6
Blackboar Legolas's beloved sister and Queen of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Under the hill at Bag-end, Hobbiton the Shire Or Rivendell,I can't remember!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 1,086	It hurts your eyes even trying to read what it says in green!

02-06-2003, 09:16 AM	#9
Aeryn Evenstar Enting Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 76	I'm currently on Chapter 21 and I am loving this book. It reads like a mythology book....or history book. I have my Complete Guide to Middle-Earth handy at all times and a notebook for making notes. lol. At the beginning when they are talking about all the Valar and Valier it was confusing. There is an index at the back of the book that helps also.

02-20-2003, 11:50 PM	#10
Ruinel Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: I have no idea. Posts: 5,441	The Lady of the Wood Hints: a) read the Sil when there are no distractions (if possible). b) read a "story" all the way through before putting the book down. c) if you find the names of elves and men to be a bit confusing, start making flow charts of who is related to whom... etc. d) on the flowchart, start putting symbols next to names that are special. Example: someone dies... put an x next to their name; someone is king... put a crown next to their name. I really loved the Sil. I think you will also.

02-25-2003, 09:59 PM	#11
Lady of Rohan Doughy Elf Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,006	I am sure that I will also find these tips useful. I am currently writing down all the important bits of information that I think will help me to understand the rest of the book as it gets more complicated. I am only on page 40 so it hasn't had a chance to get complicated yet, but every one has said that is so I am writing it all down. I think that I will make a flow chart with little symbols next to them as the book goes on, and I actually have something to confuse me. Thank you for all of the tips!

03-02-2003, 03:11 PM	#13
Blackboar Legolas's beloved sister and Queen of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Under the hill at Bag-end, Hobbiton the Shire Or Rivendell,I can't remember!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 1,086	I'm reading it for the second time now, and its alot better than the first. I'm now on the Return of the Noldor!

03-08-2003, 01:19 PM	#14
Ithilwin Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Imladris Posts: 332	I'm still at the Flight of the Noldor.It seems that I don't have time for reading... Let's hope now I finished that school contest drawing I'll find all the time I want __________________ ~[color=sky blue]*[/color]~ ...White was her garment and it had no ornament, save a silver girdle, but above her brow her forehead was adorned with a slender silver lace, and small gems were on it, glittering white, yet her hair was dark as the evening and her eyes were bright as the starlit heaven; queenly she looked and she shone as a white star in the sunlight.

03-08-2003, 04:33 PM	#15
Lady of Rohan Doughy Elf Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,006	I am now on chapt 3. I understand the 2nd chapter very well, but there is one thing I would like to ask. What exactly are the valar? Are they gods, or what are they? If I find out later, or if it already has told me, then just say so.

03-08-2003, 05:10 PM	#16
*Sister Golden Hair* Queen of Nargothrond Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Akron, Ohio - USA Posts: 7,121	It has already told you. Go back and read Valaquenta. Also, if you scroll down the main page of this forum, there is a thread that discusses what the Valar are. __________________ "Whither go you?" she said. "North away." he said: "to the swords, and the siege, and the walls of defence - that yet for a while in Beleriand rivers may run clean, leaves spring, and birds build their nests, ere Night comes." AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide

03-08-2003, 05:22 PM	#17
Lady of Rohan Doughy Elf Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,006	Oh, thank you! Pardon my ignorance (I just didn't want to read any threads because it might give away something that I haven't yet read). Last edited by Lady of Rohan : 03-08-2003 at 05:24 PM.

03-10-2003, 08:42 AM	#20
Agburanar Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dorset Posts: 608	I find the Sil very confusing... but BoLT??? I started it and about five minutes later my head exploded... (figuratively of course). That has to be the most confusing book he wrote, though maybe because it is a collection of stories not arranged or finished by Tolkien. __________________ I would wish, were it to any avail, that the LORD OF THE RINGS FILMS had never been wrought. ROLLING STOCK, WE'RE ROLLING STOCK!!

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