[Ania]

Hey,

I am going to admit a big secret and say that I am the president of the Tolkien society at my university , I was just thinking about things to do at meetings this term and was wondering whether anyone has any ideas?

For an idea of what we get up to, this weeks one was a Halloween party called 'Cuisine of Middle Earth', everyone bought a food and it was quite funny how many versions of 'lembas' was produced! (Although mead was also a firm favourite), does anyone have any ideas for interesting discussion topics?

The last one we did was 'Does the Hobbit have a bad influence on children?' It can be any book and any ideas for meetings, does anyone have any inspiration?

[inglor]

Feanor: Crazy as a sprayed roach or cunning and a tad bit ruthless

[Ottis413]

[Sirannon]

Melkor the misunderstood hero, who rebelled against the evil enslavement of his free will. Melkor who would not submit to fate and Eru´s tyrannical will. Melkor who wanted freedom and power to shape his own world and life. In other words Tolkien from anbpther perspective than what is normally seen in the books?

[NancyBrooke]

Melkor as Lucifer - "better reign in hell, than to serve in Heaven"

[NeumeIndil]

Discussion: the relationship between Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings? To broaden it (if necessary) their affect on the Fantasy/Sci Fi genre as we know it currently. What would Tolkien et al think about Terri Pratchett and other fantasy authors, Dungeons and Dragons, the cartoons/films/comics etc. that cite Tolkien/Lewis as seminal inspirations?

Discussion: Tolkien's created languages and/or how the rules of these languages make it possible for scholars to continue studying them and expanding the lexicon.

Activity: Make hobbit family tree charts, decorated how ever the creators wish. For added fun, try to figure out how many times the charts connect to each other (like Frodo being cousin to Pippin two ways, etc.). Each person takes one family (Took, Underhill, Gamgee/Gardener, Proudfoots, etc.)

Activity: Do you remember the game "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" that was on PBS in the 90s? Take that idea and modify it to "Where in Arda are the Rings of Power?" or "Where in Middle Earth is the Ringbearer?" and have a night of geography of ME. To bump up the difficulty level a bit, check out the maps (Karen Winn Fonstad?) and set up two sets of questions/courses, one of before the world was broken and one for after. You could probably lay out a map on a large floor and tape it with masking tape, etc. to delineate the different countries and regions and do the "Frodo was seen in Hollin"- run, plant a flag thing like the tv show.

Hope something helps,
Neume

[Ania]

Oh, thanks guys, all those ideas are really usable and intriguing, never thought of Melkor for the different perspective idea either, other than that which is in the books...oo, can't wait for the debates now!

Thanks for the games and all the topics, they will make for some interesting discussion!