Maybe the Nodorin bias was more marked but the text says that these names were given by the Eldar in general so from that to clever talking animals there isn't such a big jump.
Hm, but at that point, "Eldar" was already used for Elves who had seen the Trees. So, in Middle-earth, the Noldor. (And Thingol, I suppose...) It's not entirely clear whether in this context, Eldar means "all the Elves" as it would have before the Great March, or rather "Elves like the chronicler"!
And I agree that the fates for Men according to BoLT are not very appealing. I dunno, the "camping in a barren land with starlight and music" doesn't sound as bad as it could be! And some people might enjoy the pseudo-Valhalla option, too. ;) To be serious, though, I agree that the Gift of Ilúvatar was a good way of removing what Tolkien at that point probably considered unsuitably pagan influences, without introducing some kind of C.S.Lewis-in-your-face Christian alternative ;)
Little wonder if the chapter starts stating that the Valar washed their hands off Middle-earth and let Morgoth run wild! Seriously! XD
no subject
Hm, but at that point, "Eldar" was already used for Elves who had seen the Trees. So, in Middle-earth, the Noldor. (And Thingol, I suppose...) It's not entirely clear whether in this context, Eldar means "all the Elves" as it would have before the Great March, or rather "Elves like the chronicler"!
And I agree that the fates for Men according to BoLT are not very appealing.
I dunno, the "camping in a barren land with starlight and music" doesn't sound as bad as it could be! And some people might enjoy the pseudo-Valhalla option, too. ;)
To be serious, though, I agree that the Gift of Ilúvatar was a good way of removing what Tolkien at that point probably considered unsuitably pagan influences, without introducing some kind of C.S.Lewis-in-your-face Christian alternative ;)
Little wonder if the chapter starts stating that the Valar washed their hands off Middle-earth and let Morgoth run wild!
Seriously! XD