A real person behind Finrod's character?

[Elvellon]

Recently I found myself wondering that if Beren and Luthien's tale was inspired upon Tolkien’s love for his wife, then would any of the characters that those two interact with be also inspired upon real people?

Would Finrod’s sacrifice be inspired upon the sacrifice of one of Tolkiens fellow soldiers during WW1? What do you think?

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Elvellon
Recently I found myself wondering that if Beren and Luthien's tale was inspired upon Tolkien’s love for his wife, then would any of the characters that those two interact with be also inspired upon real people?

Would Finrod’s sacrifice be inspired upon the sacrifice of one of Tolkiens fellow soldiers during WW1? What do you think?
It is generally believed (or so I've read) that JRRT's service in WWI marked upon his work. War is not a Saturday picnic. It is brutal and savage and dark and sad. You can see this in JRRT's work, not just LotR, but The Sil as well. The battle are graffic and full of horror. People die who you wish did not. As well, Finrod dies similarly. He is captured with Beren and gives his life in defense of Beren. Very noble is Finrod in his life and death.

However, I have not read anything that would equate Finrod's character with a real person that JRRT knows. Perhaps someone else knows.

I just love *cough* ...errr... stongly like Finrod's character for who he is. I've never delved into real life relationships of JRRT.

[Melko Belcha]

You know Elvellon I have never really thought about it. I think alot of Tolkien's characters are probably combinations of his favorite aspects of people he knew and people he read about.

I do know that he formed a strong bond with all the men that he served with in WW I, and it really shows in his work, like the bond that grows between Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Three people with nothing in common working together and building a strong bond through all their hardships.

[Ruinel]

Before WWI, JRRT had a small group of close friends. Many of them went to war, as he did. Many of them died. Surely, this was a big influence on his writing.

[Fëannel]

Finrod's sacifice may have been based on an act performed by one of Tolkien's friends, or perhaps something he had heard about: Finrod was always my favourite character by far, and I would hope that there was a possibility for a person in even a time like WWII to have displayed anything close to what bravery Finrod rendered. There is actually some similarity to what people may think or remember of WWII: him dying in the dark translates perhaps into dying in captivity of the Germans?
Also, I have noted the 'similarities', as it were, between Tolkien and his own wife and Beren and Lúthien: those two names were carved on their own graves.:eek:

[Ithilwin]

Tolkien might had been influenced by a real person,to represent Finrod's sacrifice,it's possible...If that was what happened,he was sure strongly influenced by the WW

Originally posted by Fëannel
Also, I have noted the 'similarities', as it were, between Tolkien and his own wife and Beren and Lúthien: those two names were carved on their own graves.:eek:
they were?wow:eek:

[Sister Golden Hair]

they were?wowActually, there is a picture of Edith's and JRR's headstones floating around this board somewhere. If you do a search on Beren and Luthien, you may find it.

[Ithilwin]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
Actually, there is a picture of Edith's and JRR's headstones floating around this board somewhere. If you do a search on Beren and Luthien, you may find it.
thanks

[celeb-galad]

Originally posted by Elvellon
Would Finrod’s sacrifice be inspired upon the sacrifice of one of Tolkiens fellow soldiers during WW1? What do you think?

Interesting point of view, Elvellon. I wonder who Huan would be then - Edith's faithful dog?:rolleyes: ;)

[Earniel]

Now why does that comment make me immediatly think of a poodle? :rolleyes:

PS: Nice avatar you got there celeb-galad.

[Rían]

In one of JRRT's letters, he writes to his children about choosing "Lúthien" to put on his wife's grave, but I'm too tired to look it up.

[Rían]

Oh well, couldn't resist :D
from letter #340 to Christopher Tolkien
I have at last got busy about Mummy's grave .... The inscription I should like is:
EDITH MARY TOLKIEN
1889-1971
Lúthien
: brief and jejune, except for Lúthien, which says for me more than a multitude of words: for she was (and knew she was) my Lúthien.

Also letter 332 refers to Edith/Lúthien.