The Inconsistencies of Galadriel: The Influence of Earlier Legendarium in The Lord of the Rings

Authors

Alexander RetakhFollow

Abstract

Explores how various tales of the earlier legendarium (History of Middle-earth, vol. 1-5) influence The Lord of the Rings’s development. The connection stretches beyond the obvious adoption of previously composed myths to self-borrowing of settings and characters. In particular, analyzes the character of Galadriel, who often seems to parallel Melian, another "Lady of the Wood." Though potentially a composite of many influences, Galadriel was written quickly as if its author followed an already fixed model. But her story contains what Chirstopher Tolkien called "severe inconsistencies" suggesting that this model was not fully aligned with the narrative, i.e. originated in a different character such as Melian.

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