Eä Tolkien Society Meeting Notes for October 16th, 2021

Ea Tolkien Society Smial

Video of meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qnaa8FgBik

Our Youtube Channel and LIve-Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/tolkienscholars 

Information on how to join our meetings:  http://www2.tolkienscholars.org/news/reminder-meet-september-18-2021

Eä Tolkien Society

October 16, 2021

Attended: Gary, Hawke, Anthony, Brian

1. Brian read September Notes

2. Topic to discuss: choose a high fantasy author every month to compare/contrast with Tolkien

   1. This month Brandon Sanderson

      1. FAQ article: https://faq.brandonsanderson.com/knowledge-base/why-dont-you-use-the-classic-races-like-elves-and-orcs-and-so-on/

      2. Discussion

         1. Debate of whether Sanderson is right

         2. Comparison of epic fantasy with sci-fi

         3. Sci-fi has branched out more, but has its own tropes too (time travel)

         4. Is epic fantasy too bound by its own “past” i.e. medieval setting?

         5. What is the dream motivating us?

         6. Fantasy to make the world more real to us.

         7. Fantasy vs. Historical Fiction

         8. Nobility, tragedy, heroism, beauty

         9. The Accursed Kings, by Maurice Druon

   2. November will be Robert Jordan

3. Corey read Letter 191

   1. Discussion

   2. The Nature of Middle-earth by Hofstetter

      1. Underpinnings of his work

4. Anthony read Letter 192

   1. Frodo’s failure

   2. “Pity, mercy, and forgiveness of injury”

      1. Bilbo’s pity

      2. Sam’s Mercy

      3. Frodo’s forgiveness

5. Article on Internet on Amazon LOTR, black hobbit

   1. https://comicyears.com/tv-shows/black-hobbit/

6. November 20, 2021 next meeting

Next meeting: 1-3 pm PST8/PDT7, November 20, 2021