For the ask game: 4 and 16?
4: Do you think it’s ok to separate the artist from the art?
I feel like that’s a complex answer. Is it ok to enjoy things that are problematic? Yes, but we still need to remember those “problems” and where they come from. Like I love Tolkien’s works but he had some not so progressive he ideals and those ideas find their way into his writing. If we can be aware of these issues then maybe we can do better in the future.
16: If you could get a ya tatoo what would you get and where?
Sorry this is another Tolkien centered response! I would get the words “Aurë entuluva” which to make a long story short is Elvish for “Day will come again”. I’d probably get it on my forearm.
Thanks for the ask!
So while Tolkien occasionally spoke against the abuse of apartheid and racism I don’t think he ever had a problem with colonialism itself. Like I don’t remember him ever saying England should never have colonized South Africa. As a matter of fact most of his Middle Earth history can be summed up as “better race finds lesser race and rules over them and teaches them to be civilized.” And the notion that any race or culture has the right to rule over another or that their way is “more civilized” ,ergo better, is undebatably racist.
And don’t get me wrong I’m not saying Tolkien was a card carrying member of the klan. But let’s not act like he was this super progressive guy who never had a problematic thought in his entire life.
I know usually people think of Morgoth as this edgy Goth metal head when it comes to the Music of the Ainur. But he reminds me more of this guy my brother knew in college who would tell you your guitar was out of tune when you were just playing around. Or more like what Taylor Swift did to Earth Wind and Fire.
Maybe it’s got nothing to do with race or ethnicity, but there’s no denying there’s a double standard among fandoms and fans on how certain characters are viewed and treated. I mean how typically one character (usually white) is praised and protected while another (usually POC) is ridiculed and vilified for doing the same thing.
Like People adore Kylo Ren and excuse his abusive genocidal behavior as “well he was lonely as a kid”, but Finn, who never got to be a kid, almost never gets the same sympathy. I mean we can recognize that being abandoned by your family and manipulated by someone in power can have a devastating emotional impact, but not literally being a slave and forced to fight a war you had no part in?
Or within the Silmarillion, Morgoth, who was canonically irredeemably evil, is portrayed as this charming Loki-esque figure who could do no wrong. But then you have characters like Maeglin who, while they did do some messed up stuff, didn’t do nearly as terrible things as Morgoth, yet is almost universally reviled. And yes I know Maeglin wanted to bang his cousin, but I can easily find Russington fan art and such. Then there’s the simple fact that Maeglin was maybe 200 (so practically a teenager in elf terms), and had a finite understanding of the universe while Morgoth is literally a god and knows the creator of the cosmos on a personal basis. But again Morgoth tortures and kills thousands of people and everyone is just “oh that rascal”. Even Beren doesn’t get as much praise.
Maybe it’s all just coincidence but there does seem to be a pattern.
Ya know what I really want to know more about?
This whole Hobbits going to the Undying Lands thing. Well more specifically it’s the ring bearers but still.
I mean I don’t remember exactly what it says and my copy of the books are far away but I’m pretty sure it just says they (they being Frodo, Bilbo, and Sam) we’re permitted to go. But how? Who exactly gave them permission? Did Gandalf somehow send a message to the Valar? Did he stop at a river and go “Hey Ulmo, got a favor to ask”? Did someone tell one of the Elves who left before them to ask Manwe or something?
Or maybe they never asked and the Valar invited them. It’s well within the realm of possibility that they saw Frodo and Sam and were like “Yoo these Hobbits are no joke, they should chill with us”
Manwe “Do they make fucking jewelry?”
Ulmo “No they just eat. Their biggest contribution to society is pipeweed. “
Manwe “Oh thank Eru “
And then what was it like when the ring bearers and the Ainur met for the first time? Was Tulkas expecting three mighty warriors then get shocked into a coma when he saw three short chubby guys, one who looks like he’s a thousand?
But let’s make this even more confusing. The Numenoreans are never even allowed to set foot on the Undying Lands, not even Elendil. But then here comes Legolas with Gimil who’s not even a ring bearer.Did Legolas have permission to bring Gimli or was he just like “Fuck it.” I mean the only time I recall the Valar changing their minds about anything was when it involved love..ohhh maybe that’s why.
Ok of all the confusing parts of the Silmarillion...
Right now this is what’s baffling me the most.
It’s said that when Tar-Palantir died by law his daughter Miriel became the Ruler of Numenor. But her cousin Pharazon married her “against her will” which is illegal in Numenor because even royalty can’t marry their cousins. Yet he then becomes king...
How.....
Wtf
First off is there a law that says if a ruling queen marries a man that man is then the ruling king? If so then why are they enforcing that rule but not the one that says you can’t marry your fucking cousin? How was nobody like “well your marriage isn’t valid anyway so you can’t do shit”.? Hell Miriel should have been able to have him arrested before the wedding even happened. That’s assuming of course by “took her to wife” it’s meant that they had a wedding ceremony of some kind. But if really it means he raped her, well then super what the fuck... Were they really just like “Oh well, even though you married your cousin which is illegal and you raped her which is also very illegal and super fucked up, you’re still king now...”
Very short summary of the Silmarillion: Of the beginning of Days
Morgoth and the Valar fight a bunch. There's two giant lamps but Morgoth knocks them over like a 2 year old upset because it's not his turn to play Jenga. Then Yavanna makes a couple trees that are really bright. Also there's some really confusing existential shit about Elves and humans and death.
A very short summary of the Silmarillion: Valaquenta
There’s 7 gods and 7 goddesses called the Valar
They are
Manwe, in charge of sky stuff
Varda, star lady
Ulmo, water guy
Aule, Earth guy who likes to make cool shit
Yavanna aka Middle Earth Te Fiti
Namo/Mandos. He runs a retirement home for dead people
Irmo/Lorien visions and dreams
Este, goddess of naps.
Nienne, “turns sorrow to wisdom” (that’s pretty cool)
Tulkas the Dwayne Johnson of the Valar
Nesse- super fast and likes to dance. Probably invented Zumba
Orome, angry hunter guy
Vana, Disney princess
Vaire does croche
There’s also Melkor but he was a dickhead and got kicked out and is called Morgoth
And there’s the Maiar which are like baby gods.
A very short summary of The Silmarillion: Ainulindale
So Eru who is basically God made other gods and they got together to play some music and it was pretty sweet. But Melkor who is the god of petty shit tried to change the radio which everyone knows you don't do in someone else's car. Then Eru told him to fuck off and showed the other gods the world they made with their music and they thought it was awesome af so they went down to the Earth to chill.