The Second Age Read Along - Part 3 - Week 10: HoMe9: The Drowning of Anadûnê - The second text of The Drowning of Anadûnê

#What we’re reading today

Today we are reading the second text of The Drowning of Anadûnê, found in HoMe IX - Sauron Defeated, “The Drowning of Anadûnê”, ‘(iii) The second text of The Drowning of Anadune’.

#Before you read

Today’s reading is a follow on from the end of last week, however the advance between the second text and the first of The Drowning of Anadûnê is so great that Christopher notes it is “hard to believe that no drafting intervened between the two”, but states no trace of anything of the sort exists. The text itself is quite similar to the previous one however the story within is explored to a greater depth. There are slight differences between DAI and DAII. Melkor has been renamed from Meleko to Arûn. Similarly, Manawē from DAI has been renamed Amân. Further, the Nimrî (Eldar) are introduced in DAII as separate to the Avalôi, whereas there was only the “Balai” in DAI.

#After you read

While rather similar to the text read last week, there are some changes made this week and additions. Firstly, the aforementioned introduction of the Nimrî, and the separation between the Gods and their Children. Many of the passages are given greater descriptions than in DAI. A greater account of the effects of the Men of Westernesse on the people’s of Middle-earth is given in DAII revealing the retreat of the darkness and the lightening of the shadow. In DAII the notion that Melkor could gift further worlds to those that follow him is introduced and used by Sauron to convince the Numenoreans to turn to the dark. Finally, a much greater description of the Drowning is given in DAII in comparison to DAI, resembling more closely that of the Akallabêth.

#Discussion questions

• Christopher refers to the conception of the Earth in the notes of DAII as “‘an apple that hangeth on the branches of Heaven’ who’s seas and lands are as ‘the rind of the fruit, which shall abide upon the tree until the ripening the Eru hath appointed’”. What do you think are the main differences between the world described above and the round Earth from DAI?
• In this text is brought up the notion that since the Earth is already round, the Numenorians should be able to sail to Valinor without breaking the ban by just sailing eastwards. Do you think this would have been allowed?