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Writer's picturemikeofthepalace

Silmarillion Readalong - Of Aulë and Yavanna

Summary

Aulë was impatient for the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar, because he wanted pupils to teach, so in secret he created the seven fathers of the Dwarves. But Ilúvatar was aware of what Aulë had done, and rebuked him for his presumption. Ilúvatar further pointed out that his efforts were wasted anyway, because the most Aulë could ever create were automatons enslaved to his will; the creation of life was the province of Ilúvatar alone.


Aulë accepted the rebuke, and begged pardon, and raised his hammer to crush the Dwarves, who cowered from the blow. And Ilúvatar stopped him, saying that he accepted Aulë’s creations and had granted them life - why else would mindless automatons flinch from his blow? Aulë was appropriately grateful, and the Dwarves were put into deep sleep beneath Middle-earth, to awaken after the Elves did so.


As the adopted Children of Ilúvatar, their ultimate place is not entirely clear. The Elves believe that they revert to the stuff of Arda from which they are made when they die, but the Dwarves themselves believe that their spirits go to a separate place within the Halls of Mandos, and that after the end of Arda they shall assist Aulë in recreating the world.


Aulë shared all this with his wife Yavanna, who was angry with him. Not only for had he kept this secret, but because the Dwarves had been created with none of her influence, they would have no respect for trees and plants beyond their usefulness in crafts. Aulë pointed out that all of the Children of Ilúvatar would have dominion over Yavanna’s creations, who could not move or defend themselves, and Yavanna was troubled.


She went to consult with Manwë on the matter, who considered what he knew of Ilúvatar’s will, and told Yavanna that some of the trees would gain sentience, and act as shepherds and protectors of the forests - for a time.


Commentary


Anyone who really thinks about it while reading LotR is going to realize that, compared to Elves and Men, the Dwarves and the Ents were something of an afterthought for Tolkien. They don't have anywhere near the depth of history of the other two races, and are much less complex in their natures. So it's interesting that Tolkien gave them origins that reflect exactly that. Instead of being the Children of Ilúvatar, in many ways they are better described as being the Children of Aulë and the Children of Yavanna, even if Ilúvatar adopted them.


Elves and Men were created by all of the Ainur (including Melkor) together. So you get some who love crafts (the Noldor), some who fall in love with the Sea (the Teleri), some who love trees and growing things (Sam). (Hobbits are a branch of Men, if people were wondering).


Dwarves and Ents are different. Quickbeam might be a “hasty Ent,” but his likes and dislikes and desires really aren't any different from Treebeard's. The difference between Gimli and Thorin, or even better Gimli and Mîm (we'll meet him later, first-timers) is much, much less than the difference between Beregond of Gondor and Barliman Butterbur. Ents are Yavanna's, Dwarves are Aulë's, and that's that.

In most works of fantasy, this kind of stereotyping of different races is lazy. Tolkien actually went and delved until the theological reasons for it. That's attention to detail.


I also note the emphasis on the temporary nature of the Ents and Dwarves. They're not intended to last forever - the Dominion of Men will eventually push aside all others.



Next time, the Valar do something about the bad guys because “Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor.”

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