tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post6426120491484821922..comments2024-03-28T14:05:25.134-07:00Comments on Sacnoth's Scriptorium: Frozen Custard, Tolkien Manuscripts, and Old FriendsJohn D. Rateliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12324926298336489295noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post-38626937759674873192009-07-01T12:12:29.223-07:002009-07-01T12:12:29.223-07:00Thanks for that, John!Thanks for that, John!Ardamirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12535734219325255452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post-21747782143158304392009-07-01T11:58:27.391-07:002009-07-01T11:58:27.391-07:00Hi Ardamir.
Clyde Kilby quoted a two-sentence pas...Hi Ardamir.<br /><br />Clyde Kilby quoted a two-sentence passage from it in TOLKIEN & THE SILMARILLION (1976), page 31: "[Sam] was the youngest son of a stupid and conceited old peasant. Together with his loyal master-servant attitude, and his personal love for Frodo, he retains a touch of the contempt of his kind (moderated to tolerant pity) for motives above their reach." Kilby wrongly attributes this to a letter from Tolkien to Vera Chapman, and implies that it was written in September 1973 (note 8, page 83).<br /><br />In fact, the letter in question was printed in the memorial issue of MYTHPRINT that appeared in Sept. 1973. It's not to Vera Chapman (the founder of the Tolkien Society, who had another letter in that same issue) but Joan O. Falconer, who dated it to "late 1964". Here's the excerpt as it appeared in MYTHPRINT:<br /><br />"I would say that the impression of greater age in Sam as compared with Frodo that you feel is due to the representation in these two persons of two quite different characters, each with a quite different background and education. Sam in part of his more complex character retains the sententiousness, and indeed cocksureness, of the rustic of limited outlook and knowledge. He was the youngest son of a stupid and conceited old peasant. Together with his loyal master-servant attitude, and his personal love for Frodo, he retains a touch of the contempt of his kind (moderated to tolerant pity) for motives above their reach. From this in some degree comes his slightly paternal, not to say patronizing attitude to his master; but of course it is mainly derived from the fact that after the encounter by Weathertop Frodo was a sufferer, a person injured and in pain, and also after Rivendell grievously burdened. Sam's protective and almost elderly manner was largely forced on him by circumstance . . ." (MYTHPRINT, Sept 1973, page 3).<br /><br />One point the original now at Marquette does clear up is the date: Tolkien's letter to Falconer is dated <br />"January 24th 1965"<br /><br />So, in answer to your question: a small part of it isn't that hard to find (in Kilby's book), a larger part can be found with digging (for those few with access to a complete run of MYTHPRINT), and the whole letter can only be seen at Marquette -- which of course is well worth the visit for this as well as many other reasons.<br /><br />--John R.John D. Rateliffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12324926298336489295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post-42949010394671731242009-07-01T08:03:17.068-07:002009-07-01T08:03:17.068-07:00Hi John, what does the Tolkien letter from 1964/65...Hi John, what does the Tolkien letter from 1964/65 deal with? Has it been published before somewhere (like Letters from JRRT) or is it unknown to the public?Ardamirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12535734219325255452noreply@blogger.com