LOTR talk:Canon
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Considering how much debate there is on this subject in the wider world, it is surprising that in a year, there has been no discussion begun about it. For my part, I take an extremely broad view of the canonicity of the works of Tolkien. If it was penned by Tolkien, and had anything whatsoever to do with Middle Earth, then I view it as part of the canon. This would include his private writings and notes. The fact that something is contradicted by later writings should not, to my mind, affect its canonicity. The contradiction of part of the fun of it all. As I said in my user page, we are not dealing with the Bible here, and I think we can tolerate a bit of contradiction.--N3rus 06:08, 1 March 2007 (UTC)
The question of canonicity always puts me in the deer-in-the-headlights position. There are certain narratives that I prefer, but they are not necessarily the latest to have been written. For example, I much prefer the narrative that Beren died in the arms of Lúthien after she bid him wait for her in the Halls of Mandos over the one in which he died by the waters of Esgalduin far from her. Could there not be two narratives both true in their own way? Could not general lore and tales of the age simply lack the bit of detail that Beren lived until returned to the arms of Lúthien? This is somewhat akin to the allusions by Gandalf at the Council of Elrond that tales of Isildur did not recall that he had tarried in the White City before taking his journey northward.—N3rus 10:03, 3 March 2007 (UTC)
I agree that we can tolerate a bit of contradiction, particularly if sources are given. Legends often differ when they're told, and if Tolkien's works are treated as "translations," one should expect and accept some contradictions. I think N3rus is right in that all of his writings should be considered canon.--Arwen Skywalker 20:10, 10 March 2007 (UTC)
- I also agree with you both that all of Tolkiens works based around middle-earthg and arda should be considered canon.-- KingAragorn talk contribs edits email 21:05, 10 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Movies and Other Works
Now that we have what books are cannon decided, it is time to start thinking about what else should be included. I personally feel that limiting the scope of this wiki to just the books is the wrong decision. There are many people out there that have not read the books yet, but have seen the movies or played the games. If they were to come to this wiki, it would be best for them to find information about whatever medium that they first experienced Tolkien. From there they will expand out and learn about what else is out there. I know that I had not read the books before having seen the movies and it is because of the movies that I have come to enjoy and admire the depth of Middle-earth. Do we really want to possibly turn even a single visitor away because they feel off put by our acceptance of only the books as canon? Razor77 23:58, 27 June 2007 (UTC)
- I am for including other works on Middle-earth on this wiki, but I do not like the idea of having movie canon and book canon together as it could cause contradiction. However it would be good if each different type of canon is seperated and maybe have some an article devoted to the books and some of the article based around the Movies; sepearated by level 2 headers etc. Therefore I propose we have different types of canon that are accepted as content, like book canon, movie canon, and games canon, that are each clearly seperated within an aticle.-- KingAragorn talk contribs edits email 15:14, 29 June 2007 (UTC)
