Posted: August 20, 1999 at 00:10:31: by Michael Martinez
Beren and Luthien go almost all the way back to the beginning. "The Fall of Gondolin" was the first story Tolkien wrote in the world that eventually evolved to become Middle-earth. But the "Tale of Tinuviel" was one of the other early stories, and these two combined with the story of Hurin's family (in its various incarnations) were the foundation of the early mythology.In the story of Beren and Luthien, as well as the story of Aragorn and Arwen, however, you'll find one theme which is drawn straight from Tolkien's life: the forbidden love of a young man for an older woman. Edith Bratt was about three years older than Ronald (J.R.R. was called Ronald in his youth) and when he met her he fell deeply in love. But Father Francis, his guardian, didn't want Ronald to have anything to do with her. Edith had inherited a little land around Birmingham which provided for her income. But unlike Luthien and Arwen, she was illegitimate, and perhaps this was part of why Father Francis objected to her. He certainly felt strongly that the young man should be focusing on his studies, so I guess it was the story of Beren and Luthien somewhat reversed. I suspect the story of Ronald and Edith would actually make an interesting movie. Anyway, it's been long understood that Beren and Luthien are Tolkien and his wife, and the names "Beren" and "Luthien" are even inscribed on their tombstone. The stories are metaphorical, btw, and not allegorical.
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Parma Endorion: Essays on Middle-earth, Revised Edition
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