Comments | ainu_laire: Serious geek moments here

ainu_laire

Serious geek moments here

Feb 24, 2011 00:23

I did not realize how long this was until I finished it, but I think it's really interesting, and for those who like working with cross-cultural relations in Middle-earth, I think you'll find this of interest... anyways, read on ( Read more... )

lotr, history, tolkien, fanfic research

Comments 9

inzilbeth_liz February 24 2011, 08:42:18 UTC

Oh yes, Tolkien didn't choose 25th March by accident! On the other hand, while much has been made of 25th December being the date the fellowship set out, that in fact was for no other purpose than to reduce the amount of winter in the story [the original date having been a month earlier].

I personally doubt there's any difference in the recording of time in MT and the Shire. The comment you mention is probably more to do with time zones and different times of sunrise just as we have here, MT being that much further east than the Shire.

Interesting stuff though!

ainu_laire February 24 2011, 10:01:36 UTC

I doubt time zones have anything to do with it; modern time zones were not established until the late 19th century, when the long railroads in the US and Canada were having problems with times being off due to the position of the sun in various parts of the countries. Because travel was so slow in pre-railroad days and business was not nearly as industrialized, timezones would not be an issue for Middle-earth ( ... )

cairistiona7 February 24 2011, 12:54:58 UTC

Interesting stuff, although I must confess that my eyes start to glaze over when it comes to working out time and dates and things like that. For some reason, my brain seizes up when it tries to sort out any kind of numerical stuff. :P

I think there's a reason I'm a writer and not a mathematician!

shirebound February 24 2011, 13:03:14 UTC

I love reading your ridiculous details! I'll be happily thinking about this subject during a few interminable meetings today.

vilwarien February 24 2011, 14:16:02 UTC

I think the reason why the hobbits have clocks and the Gondorians don't is because they live in "Merrie Old England", an idealised Victorian environment. There is no real reason for them to be using clocks, though, because they lack the part of society that would profit from determining the exact time of the day ( ... )

suzll February 24 2011, 15:14:50 UTC

"Until the Calendar Act of 1752, the year in England began officially on 25 March (Lady Day), and not 1 January."

ORLY? Just GUESS what day the first day of the Fourth Age started on? YEA, MARCH 25TH, AKA RING-DESTRUCTION DAY. "

WAIT WHAT SERIOUSLY THAT'S SO COOL. J.R.R. TOLKIEN YOU ARE THE COOLEST. Dude, I LOVE realizing when authors have actually done things for THE BEST REASONS and not just randomly.

'friad I can't give any additional details regarding all this stuff, but it's really cool that you're looking into all of it! *salutes*

suzll February 24 2011, 15:17:06 UTC

P.S. I'm totally wearing my clock earrings today in your honor :D