Confusticated
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Andreth - inconsiderate and weak?
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jallan
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It is not clear that Eru has any particular love for the people of the world created by him from the music of the Ainur.
Perhaps it goes without saying. But it is not dwelt on in Tolkien’s accounts and Andreth’ people have no such traditions.
As to the Valar, the Noldor who returned to Middle-earth did so in rebellion against the Valar.
It is interesting that in “Athrabeth” Tolkien describes a world in which neither Eru or the Valar, it seems, have answered fundamental questions. There are only rumors and conflicting beliefs.
And Eru above is like the God in Job, allowing his creation to be in the hands of Satan and refusing to explain.
Yet in The Peoples of Middle-earth, “The Problem of ROS”, written after “Athrabeth”, we find that strange prophecy attributed to Andreth:
Has Tolkien changed his conception of Andreth, perhaps rejecting “Athrabeth”, or is there a unwritten story behind this which explains Andreth’s change from doubter to prophetess?
Or would Tolkien have given us the interesting figure of a phophetess who doubts the very pronouncements that she brings forth when the prophetic influence comes upon her?
Perhaps it goes without saying. But it is not dwelt on in Tolkien’s accounts and Andreth’ people have no such traditions.
As to the Valar, the Noldor who returned to Middle-earth did so in rebellion against the Valar.
It is interesting that in “Athrabeth” Tolkien describes a world in which neither Eru or the Valar, it seems, have answered fundamental questions. There are only rumors and conflicting beliefs.
And Eru above is like the God in Job, allowing his creation to be in the hands of Satan and refusing to explain.
Yet in The Peoples of Middle-earth, “The Problem of ROS”, written after “Athrabeth”, we find that strange prophecy attributed to Andreth:
Is this prophetic utterance from the mouth of the doubting and troubled woman of “Athrabeth”?
Has Tolkien changed his conception of Andreth, perhaps rejecting “Athrabeth”, or is there a unwritten story behind this which explains Andreth’s change from doubter to prophetess?
Or would Tolkien have given us the interesting figure of a phophetess who doubts the very pronouncements that she brings forth when the prophetic influence comes upon her?
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Eledhwen
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There is nothing quite as cathartic as being able to voice your deepest and most troubling thoughts. Andreth and Finrod not only voiced their fears but exchanged their hopes. These hopes could then quicken afresh, quenching Andreth's despair.
Job repented in dust and ashes when he realised that he was just too puny to know all the answers to suffering. Andreth may have had a similar revelation thanks to her dialogue with Finrod.
Eledhwen
Cumbrian
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I do not think Tolkien's Elves suffered from the infatuations that men suffer from. Aegnor's love was real, and the reason he never took an Elven wife.
I would, however, question his wisdom in refusing to take Andreth to wife because it was a time of war. Elves' longevity allows them to wait a few hundred years here and there if the times are evil, but mortals do not have that luxury; they must make of their brief life what they can, whether there be war or peace. Aegnor did what was right according to Elf custom; but should he have done differently because his love was for a mortal woman who could not wait until a time of peace came?
During the dialogue of Finrod and Andreth the difference between the world views of Elves and Men is made plain, but Andreth's personal pain stems from their differing views on when it is appropriate to marry and its consequences in her life.
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