I think
Feanor not giving up
the Silmarils (not that it mattered, they were already stolen) for Yavannah to remake the
trees was almost or as upsetting as the other moments (like when the two
sons of Feanor tried stealing
Luthien). OK maybe those two times are a little insignificant in the long run but they got me upset
Actually, I don't think this was insignificant at all - had Feanor waived his right to the Silmarils, it would have fallen upon the
Valar to catch the thief. Now it's not that easy, of course, because there would have been the added issue of vengeance for
Finwe's death, but with a little bit of talking to Namo, that could have been solved, I'd say ("I gave you the stones, now give me my dad"
)
But in the end, Feanor had invested too much of his spirit into his creations to let go and I think this is one of
Tolkien's core theme, to be willing to sacrifice something "so that it can be saved for others". Feanor could not do it, Olwe could not do it,
Thingol could not do it, and neither his heirs.
Turgon could not do it, and so he went down with his
city. In the end, not even
Sauron could do it, having invested so much of himself into his creation that its destruction was his demise.
And for all those who lambast Feanor and his sons it should be noted that
Maglor was the only one who had ever sought a Silmaril for himself (as opposed to
Beren, who sought it for someone else) and then threw it away. Yes, it did hurt him, but he could have chosen the fate of
Maedhros - he didn't, he threw it away.
"But love not too well the work of thy hands and the devices of thy heart" This warning from
Ulmo (in my perception the most sensible of the Valar) to Turgon could have been given to many others, but all too likely, much like Turgon, they would have ignored it when the time comes.