Stars and Swords: Footnoting Genre Fiction

This week, the middle act of the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapter XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why is this version of Glaurung so different? What is the mythic power of a sword re-forged? How many names can one man have? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next week, we conclude our discussion of Túrin with Chapter XXI of the Quen...

This week, battle and bloodshed as we conclude the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and begin the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapters XX and XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why does foresight get so sharp at the moment of death? Is Morwen very good at naming children, or very bad? What are the literary and mythic inspirations behind Tolkien's most depressing story? To see the video broadcast of this e...

This week, we give up the promise of immortality as we reach the end of Chapter XIX and begin Chapter XX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why does the Lay of Leithian end where it does? Why are the sons of Fëanor so unkillable? Have we finally solved the mystery of the deadly hallowing? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next week, we conc...

This week, Beren and Lúthien reach the end of their story in Chapter XIX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why do our heroes keep trying to disguise themselves? Where does Lúthien's sleep-magic come from? Is Huan the Hound an under-celebrated character? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next week, we conclude our discussion of Beren and Lú...

This week, love and tragedy in Chapter XIX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why is the tale of Beren and Lúthien such an important story? Are oaths always a bad thing? Why has no-one written a network TV sitcom about Thingol and Melian? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next week, we conclude our discussion of Beren and Lúthien and chapte...

This week, we see the fall of Fingolfin and a new war in Beleriand in Chapter XVIII of the Quenta Silmarillion in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. How do we understand Tolkien's perspective on race? How much direct intervention can we credit to Manwë? What is Maeglin's problem with Men? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next week, we discuss...

This week, we establish Maeglin in Gondolin and the Men in the West as we move through the end of Chapter XVII of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Does the Maeglin apple fall far from the Eöl tree? Why are the connections and distinctions between languages so important? What did the elves learn from the Valar when it comes to welcoming new arrivals? To see the video broadcast of this episode, cl...

This week, we get into the weeds as we attempt something ambitious, only to spend the whole episode in and around Nan Elmoth with the story of Maeglin in Chapter XVI of the Quenta Silmarillion. Why is the suppression of language so important? How does Tolkien's essentialism change the way we understand this book? How much dramatic irony are we supposed to detect in the wisdom of our heroes?  ★ Sup...

This week, we fast forward four hundred years, then rewind to see what really happened as we try to make it to the end of Chapter XV of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. What does Glaurung have in common with the Balrogs? Why does Ulmo whisper instructions to Turgon and Finrod? Does this book really pass the Bechdel-Wallace test? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the...

This week, we face battle and bloodshed in Beleriand in Chapters XIII and XIV of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Is Fëanor's fate inevitable? How do we understand the rescue of Maedhros in the context of the Doom of the Noldor? Why do we get so much geography? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next week, we continue our journey with everyth...

In this bonus Q&A, we address the issue of inheritance among the immortal elves, the lost story of Lady of Lothlórien, the political infrastructure of The Shire, and the official power ranking of the Valar! On Thursday, we continue our journey with Chapters XIII and XIV of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, March 27th at 8PM Central. Footnotes: The Silmarillion Stars And Swo...

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapters XI and XII, including the creation of the sun and the moon, the securing of Valinor, and the awakening of Men. How do we understand moral philosophy in a world of eucatastrophe? How do we judge the action (and inaction) of the Valar?  To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next...

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the end of Chapter IX and all of Chapter X, including the Doom of the Noldor, a quick recap of three thousand years of the elves back in Beleriand, and some cosmic renovation. Is Mandos really a Theatre Kid? What’s so special about Lúthien Tinúviel anyway? Is it time for the dwarves to reclaim the word “cumbrous”? To see the video broa...

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the end of Chapter VIII and all of Chapter IX, including the the darkening of Valinor, the theft of the Silmarils, and the violence and tragedy which follows. Are any of Fëanor’s decisions defensible? How do we understand acts of creation which can’t be repeated? Is Tulkas still the MVP of the Valar? To see the video broadcast of this...

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the the forging of the Silmarils, domestic discord in the House of Finwë, and the secret origins of Tolkien’s most terrifying creation. Does anyone make a good choice in Valinor? Are the Valar living up to their responsibilities? What is Ungoliant, and where does she come from? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; t...

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the logistics of crossing the Great Sea, our introduction to Fëanor and the family of Finwë, and the subtlety of Melkor. What’s the most desirable property in Eldamar? Is Fëanor a hero, a villain, or both? What qualifies Manwë to judge Melkor? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next...

In this bonus episode, we discuss the location of the Far Heaven, the nature of the Ainur, the absence of dwarves and a vision of medieval utopia.  We’ll continue our journey with chapters six and seven of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, February 13th at 8PM Central. Footnotes: The Silmarillion Stars And Swords on YouTube The Silmarillion  Unit Production Schedule The Tolkien...

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the secret origins of dwarves and ents, the battle against Melkor and the Sundering of the Elves across Middle-Earth. What distinguishes good creativity from bad? Who (and what) has a soul? How many names can we possibly remember? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next week, we con...

This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Days Before Days, time and space (and calendars and maps), and the paradox of free will. How do we understand the geography of Middle-Earth? How are elves and men different, according to the elves? What instruments do each of the Valar play, and what do their mansions looks like? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click h...

In this special bonus episode, test your knowledge of the Valar and the Maiar, the relationships between them, and a few other things besides! It’s all for fun and the points don’t matter, but let me know how you did.  To see the video version of this episode, click here ! I’ll be back on Thursday with chapters one and two of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, January 30th at 8P...

This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Valaquenta, spheres of authority, intertexting already and The Diagram. What do the Valar tell us about what Tolkien thought important? How is this pantheon connected to the those of the classical world, and how is it unique? What do sibling and spousal relationships mean for the Valar? To see the video broadcast of this episode,...

This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Ainulindalë, aesthetics and philosophy, the subcreative process and the Secret Origins of Melkor. How do we understand the different perspectives enfolded in this creation myth? Does Tolkien convincingly resolve the paradox of free will? Why don’t the Valar talk about their battles? To see the video broadcast of this episode, clic...

This week, we begin our unit on J.R.R. Tolkien’s posthumous work of mythology and history, and discuss reading strategies, layers of narrative and the creative impulse. Is the Professor the best letter writer in history? Did Christopher Tolkien really intend this book to be definitive? How is Middle-Earth different from Star Trek ? To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see th...

This week, we overcome treachery to win the war in chapters ten to fifteen of C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian and discuss the Narnian timeline, fear as an alienating force, and the worst of Susan. Why is Aslan larger now? Could Nikabrik and his allies resurrect the White Witch? Is evil always self-defeating?  To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here ; to see the slides, click here ! Next...

This week, we assemble our forces and call for help in chapters five to ten of C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian and discuss the medieval perspective on past and future, the oracular power of centaurs, and the difference between beasts. What is represented by each of Caspian’s companions? Who raised Aslan’s How? How did Edmund learn so much 21st century slang? To see the video broadcast of this episode,...