The Prancing Pony Podcast: Episode 344 – Life in the Fast Lane

Release Date: October 13, 2024
Hosts: Alan Sisto and Don Marshall
Podcast Description: A weekly exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium, featuring in-depth discussions, humor, and a passionate community of enthusiasts.

1. Introduction and Welcome

Alan Sisto opens the episode with his signature charm, welcoming listeners to Episode 344 of the Prancing Pony Podcast. He humorously refers to the podcast as "the greatest of the podcasts in arts and lore," setting a lighthearted tone for the discussion ahead.

Don Marshall introduces himself as "the obscure Lord of the Rings facts guy" and joins Alan in prepping for the episode's deep dive into Tolkien's appendices. The hosts emphasize their approach of blending detailed lore exploration with humor and pop-culture references, aiming to create an engaging and accessible experience for both new and veteran Tolkien fans.

2. This Week in Tolkien History

Before delving into the main content, Alan and Don provide a historical overview related to Tolkien:

• October 12, 1944: Tolkien writes Letter #84 to his son Christopher, discussing challenges in synchronizing movements of characters like Frodo and others, and mentions his non-legendarium work, Leaf, published in the Dublin Review in January 1945.

  Don Marshall: "I have today sent Leaf by niggle to Dublin Review." [03:38]

• October 13, 1938: Letter #34 to Stanley Unwin reveals Tolkien’s work on a sequel to The Hobbit. Tolkien expresses optimism despite delays, highlighting his commitment to expanding Middle-earth’s narrative.

  Don Marshall: "I still live in hopes that I may be able to submit it early next year." [04:49]

• October 15, 1937: Tolkien responds to feedback on The Hobbit, particularly concerns about its suitability for young readers. He humorously notes changing drawer handles to avoid frightening his daughter with grinning ones.

  Don Marshall: "That is a great letter. End quote." [08:59]

• October 16, 1959: Letter #220 addresses a cat breeder’s request to name Siamese kittens after Middle-earth characters, humorously associating Siamese cats with Mordor’s fauna.

  Don Marshall: "I fear that to me, Siamese cats belong to the fauna of Mordor." [10:16]

• October 18, 1894: Commemoration of Geoffrey Bache Smith’s birth, a friend of Tolkien’s who later lost his life in the Battle of the Somme.

3. Exploring Tolkien’s Appendices

The core of the episode revolves around the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, particularly focusing on Appendix A which delves into the history of Numenor and the First Age events outlined in The Silmarillion. Alan and Don discuss:

• Sources and Challenges: Tolkien’s extensive efforts to compile the appendices, grappling with the vastness of Middle-earth’s history and the publisher’s constraints. They reference letters where Tolkien expresses frustration over having to condense his rich lore into the appendices, ultimately leading to the decision to publish The Lord of the Rings without the full appendices.

  Alan Sisto: "The demand such people make would again require a book at least the size of volume one." [26:22]

• Content of the Appendices: A summary of the histories contained within, focusing on the lineage of Elrond and Elros, the founding of Numenor, and the intricate details of the First Age, including the tale of Feanor and the Silmarils.

4. Reading and Summarizing Appendix A

Don Marshall reads a concise summary of The Silmarillion from the appendices, outlining key events and characters:

Don Marshall: "Feanor was the greatest of the Eldar in arts and lore... Against the will of the Valar, Feanor forsook the blessed realm and went in exile to Middle Earth, leading with him a great part of his people..." [35:55]

Alan Sisto comments on the brevity of the summary, noting that while it touches on major points, it understandably omits the rich details fans crave.

5. Deep Dive into Feanor and the Silmarils

The hosts expand on Feanor’s character and his creation of the Silmarils, discussing his pride, the ensuing conflict with Morgoth, and the tragic consequences of his actions:

• Feanor’s Legacy: His unparalleled skill in craftsmanship and the creation of the Silmarils, which contain the light of the Two Trees of Valinor.

  Don Marshall: "Feanor would then swear... a blasphemous oath by the name of Iluvatar, vowing to pursue with vengeance..." [40:50]

• Morgoth’s Theft: Morgoth’s covetousness leads to the theft of the Silmarils, igniting a relentless war between the Eldar, Edain, and Morgoth’s forces.

• Final Fate of the Silmarils: The Silmarils end up in different realms—one shines on Earendil’s brow in the sky, another is submerged in the sea, and the third remains on Earth, symbolizing the intertwined fate of Arda.

6. Elros and Elrond: The Half-Elven Choice

The discussion transitions to Elros and Elrond, the Half-Elven, and their pivotal choice between mortality and immortality:

• Elros’s Choice: Opted for mortality but was granted an extended lifespan, establishing the line of Numenorean kings.

  Alan Sisto: "Elros chose to be of mankind and remain with the Edain, but a great lifespan was granted to him many times that of lesser men." [66:27]

• Elrond’s Choice: Chose to be of Elvenkind, granting him immortality and the ability to sail to the Undying Lands.

  Don Marshall: "Elrond chose to be of Elvenkind and became a master of wisdom." [65:18]

• Impact on Middle-earth: These choices set the foundation for the future of both Elves and Men, influencing the political and social structures within Tolkien’s legendarium.

7. The Founding of Numenor

Alan and Don explore the establishment of Numenor as a reward for the Edain’s valor:

• Divine Favor and Restrictions: Numenor is blessed with longevity and prosperity but bound by restrictions preventing them from sailing west to the Undying Lands.

  Alan Sisto: "They were forbidden to sail west out of sight of their own shores, or to attempt to set foot on the Undying Lands." [73:23]

• Foreshadowing of Numenor’s Downfall: The hosts touch on early signs of Numenor’s eventual rebellion against Valar’s commands, influenced by Sauron’s deceit.

8. Listener Interaction and Future Content

In response to listener questions, Alan and Don discuss what additional content Tolkien could have explored, expressing desires for more detailed origins of Men and further elaboration on regions like Umbar. They also mention their upcoming content, including explorations of Unfinished Tales and new seasons of related media.

9. Conclusion and Community Engagement

Wrapping up, the hosts thank their supporting team and patrons, encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through various platforms like their website, social media, and Patreon. They tease future episodes that will continue unpacking the rich histories and stories within Tolkien’s works.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Don Marshall: "I have today sent Leaf by niggle to Dublin Review." [03:38]
• Alan Sisto: "I am here with the man of the west who's been clever cleaning off Feanor's pinata in advance of tonight's episode." [01:19]
• Don Marshall: "Feanor was the greatest of the Eldar in arts and lore... Against the will of the Valar, Feanor forsook the blessed realm..." [35:55]
• Don Marshall: "Elros chose to be of mankind and remain with the Edain, but a great lifespan was granted to him..." [66:27]
• Alan Sisto: "The demand such people make would again require a book at least the size of volume one." [26:22]

Upcoming Topics:

• Unfinished Tales and Numenor: Future episodes will delve into Unfinished Tales, providing a more comprehensive look at Numenor’s history and its people.
• Rings of Power and Beyond: Discussions on recent adaptations and their ties to Tolkien’s original lore.
• Listener Questions: Addressing fan inquiries and expanding on lesser-explored areas of Middle-earth.

Connect with The Prancing Pony Podcast:

• Website: prancingponypodcast.com
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: Prancing Pony Podcast
  • Reddit: r/PrancingPonyPod
  • Twitter & Instagram: @PrancingPonyPod
• Patreon: Support the show and enjoy exclusive perks by joining their Patreon community.

Audience Engagement:

Listeners are encouraged to submit their thoughts, questions, and creative interpretations of Tolkien’s work through various channels, fostering a vibrant and interactive community around the podcast.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments within the transcript have been excluded to focus solely on the content-rich discussions relevant to Tolkien’s lore.