Many pieces of modern day fantasy are clearly influenced by the literature of J.R.R Tolkien, a man who played a prominent part in bringing the genre to the fore. Similarly, Tolkien was influenced by Norse mythology and its many forms of poetry and literature. However, the Hall of Fire staff invite you to join us this weekend as we debate whether Tolkien found inspiration from his own religion.
The influence of Catholicism on Tolkien’s writings
In the beginning of The Silmarillion there was Eru, a supreme being who created all life and a world upon which they could live, Middle-earth. In the beginning of the Bible God, a supreme being, created man and woman and a place upon which they could live called Earth. Though over-simplified, there are clear parallels between the two. Another key event in The Silmarillion is when Kane commits the first murder and kills his brother Able; similarly, Feanor is the first Elf to ever kill one of his own kin.
Tolkien was known to be a prominent follower of the Catholic church and was surrounded by people of the same nature, most notably his dearest friend and writer C.S. Lewis. All these facts suggest that Tolkien drew some inspiration from religion..but do you agree? Join us this weekend and make your views known as we debate one of the most discussed aspects of the great author himself.
Upcoming Discussions July 27 & 28: TTT Chapter Discussion: The Road to Isengard
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net server; come to theonering.net’s chat room Barliman’s and then type /join #thehalloffire .
Saturday Chat: 5:30 pm ET (17:30) [also 11:30 pm (23:30) CET and 7:30 am Sunday (07:30) AET]
Sunday Chat: 7:00 pm (19:00) CET [also 1:00 pm (13:00) ET and 4:00 am (04:00) Monday morning AET]
ET = Eastern Time, USA’s East Coast CET = Central European Time, Central Europe
We resume our Two Towers chats this weekend by examining the clash of the mustered forces Rohan and the orc and Dunlendish legions of Saruman at Helm’s Deep. Join us this weekend as we delve into the events of:
Book Three, Chapter VII: Helm’s Deep
One of the most stirring battles of the War of the Ring, this clash between was undoubtedly necessary if the Rohirrim were to go to the aid of Minas Tirith. However, even as they set out for the Fords of the Isen, trouble brews ahead and darkness gathers behind.
Would Theoden’s forces have survived if they’d been caught on the plains? What exactly was the “devilry” of Saruman? How exactly does the battle solidify Legolas and Gimli’s emerging friendship? These are just a few of the questions we’ll be discussing, so join us for what’s sure to be another engaging Hall of Fire debate!
Upcoming Discussions
JULY 20-21: The influence of Catholicism on Tolkien’s writings.
JULY 27-28: The Two Towers: Book 3, Chapter 8: The Road to Isengard.
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net server; come to theonering.net’s chat room Barliman’s and then type /join #thehalloffire .
Saturday Chat: 5:30 pm ET (17:30) [also 11:30 pm (23:30) CET and 7:30 am Sunday (07:30) AET]
Sunday Chat: 7:00 pm (19:00) CET [also 1:00 pm (13:00) ET and 4:00 am (04:00) Monday morning AET]
ET = Eastern Time, USA’s East Coast CET = Central European Time, Central Europe
For those who use our special TORnIRC adaptation of mirc, you can now upgrade! We recently received a false virus alarm, and after confirming that the software is virus free, Max took the opportunity to upgrade it to being based on mIRC version 6.02. You can download the new version from here. [More]
Pippin Took: Bold, hard halfling or piece of luggage?
Elrond’s heart forbade him going with the Fellowship, Gandalf encouraged him to throw himself down a well as a preventative measure against stupidity. What does this say about the character of Pippin Took? Was he simply making up the numbers? What was Pippin’s purpose in the Fellowship, and indeed his role in the greater arena of the War of the Ring? Was it a simply a case of making up the numbers? Or something more?
These are just some of the questions that we’ll be discussing at this weekend’s Hall of Fire.
Upcoming Discussions JULY 13-14: The Two Towers: Book 3, Chapter 7: Helms Deep.
JULY 20-21: The influence of Catholicism on Tolkien’s writings.
JULY 27-28: The Two Towers: Book 3, Chapter 8: The Road to Isengard.
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net server; come to theonering.net’s chat room Barliman’s and then type /join #thehalloffire .
Saturday Chat: 5:30 pm ET (17:30) [also 11:30 pm (23:30) CET and 7:30 am Sunday (07:30) AET]
Sunday Chat: 7:00 pm (19:00) CET [also 1:00 pm (13:00) ET and 4:00 am (04:00) Monday morning AET]
ET = Eastern Time, USA’s East Coast CET = Central European Time, Central Europe
This weekend The Two Towers chapter-by-chapter discussion has arrived at one of the most important and unpredicted moments in the Lord of the Rings, one of the moments which changed the outcome of the War of the Ring and swung the balance of power from Sauron to the alliance of men and elves. So come and join us in the Hall of Fire as we discuss a chapter which may bring hope to budding ‘Rings fans after the tradgic death of Gandalf at the end of ‘Fellowship:
Book Three, Chapter V: The White Rider
Walking through the forest of Fangorn and seeking their lost comrades, the trio of Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas suspect they are being followed by a mysterious old man in white, a man who’s appearance is too uncannily alike to Saruman the White to be a coincidence. Fearing they will be assailed by this mysterious stalker, the trio prepare for a battle, only to realise that the man in white is not the head of the Istari at all, but in fact a dear friend from the past…
Undoubtedly a stirring chapter, we invite one and all to join us this weekend and join in on the fun!
Upcoming Discussions June 22 & 23: TTT Chapter Discussion: The Return of Gandalf
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net server; come to theonering.net’s chat room Barliman’s and then type /join #thehalloffire .
Saturday Chat: 5:30 pm ET (17:30) [also 11:30 pm (23:30) CET and 7:30 am Sunday (07:30) AET]
Sunday Chat: 7:00 pm (19:00) CET [also 1:00 pm (13:00) ET and 4:00 am (04:00) Monday morning AET]
ET = Eastern Time, USA’s East Coast CET = Central European Time, Central Europe
Update:In a last minute change of schedule, this weekend’s HoF will be the Two Towers Chapter “The King of the Golden Hall”. We’ll be holding over our Q&A session till next month.
Over the last three years, the Hall of Fire has hosted all sorts of different discussions on the Tolkien spectrum, but it’s not often that we host a discussion which raises a question over the behaviour of protagonists in Tolkien’s literature. However, that’s exactly what we’re doing this weekend as the Hall of Fire staff invite you to join us this weekend as we discuss what should spark a heated debate about:
The Responsibility Elves had to Middle-earth
Getting straight to the point, should the Elves have done more during their tenure on Middle-earth? From the beginnings as the first race to live under the watchful eye of the Valar to their parting post-War of the Ring, the Elves have often given their blood and soul to protect their home from evil, be it Melkor or his commander Sauron. However, occasionally the Elves have shirked responsibility, be it to their allies or to themselves, and it wasn’t long after the fall of Sauron that they departed Middle-earth once and for all, leaving it under the rule of the ‘age of man’.
Could the Elves have done more during the War of the Ring? Was the staying of their hand for so long one of the main reasons why the Necromancer rose once again from Mirkwood to raise his armies in the land of Mordor? Was their pride and hatred of dwarves a reason for the amount of Elven blood shed? Or do you disagree and believe that the Elves served Middle-earth to the very end, beyond the call of duty? If so, did they owe Middle-earth anything more before their departure? Join us this weekend for what should be, despite whichever side you’re on, a great discussion.
Upcoming Discussions June 22 & 23: TTT Chapter Discussion: The Return of Gandalf June 29 & 30: Ask the Experts: A Q&A on Tolkien’s Work
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net server; come to theonering.net’s chat room Barliman’s and then type /join #thehalloffire .
Saturday Chat: 5:30 pm ET (17:30) [also 11:30 pm (23:30) CET and 7:30 am Sunday (07:30) AET]
Sunday Chat: 7:00 pm (19:00) CET [also 1:00 pm (13:00) ET and 4:00 am (04:00) Monday morning AET]
ET = Eastern Time, USA’s East Coast CET = Central European Time, Central Europe
