March 1
Day 60
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 7: Of Mîm the Dwarf
*Finish this chapter today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: Of Mîm the Dwarf (finish this chapter today)
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Brethil, Amon Obel, Mountains of Shadow, River Narog
(Note that Túrin could not look southward from his vantage point on the side of the hill.)
Timeline: First Age 488
Discussion Questions:
1. Why did Mîm keep the stairway secret?
2. Was it wise of Beleg to return to Túrin?
3. What moved Túrin to let go of his pride before Beleg?
March 2
Day 61
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 8: The Land of Bow and Helm
*This chapter will be read over the course of two days, so read about half of it today.
Supplementary Reading:
Background:
The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Commentary section 3: Miscellaneous Matters, (iv) The influence of the Valar
Prior Versions:
Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: Appendix - read up to the paragraph beginning “Andróg appears again”
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Sirion, Gondolin, Doriath, Nargothrond, Nimbrethil, Arvernien, Mouths of Sirion, Pass of Anach, Dimbar, Tol Sirion, River Malduin, Brethil, Crossings of Teiglin, Guarded Plain, Amon Rûdh, River Narog
Timeline: First Age 489
Discussion Questions:
1. Was Melkor more powerful before he became Morgoth? What did he lose by embracing his evil plans?
2. Does Túrin have a long-term plan for the army he is building?
3. What will come from the hatred of Mîm towards Beleg?
March 3
Day 62
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 8: The Land of Bow and Helm
*Finish this chapter today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Lays of Beleriand: I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin, II. Beleg, lines 559 - 702, including corresponding Commentary
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: River Teiglin, Doriath, Amon Rûdh, River Sirion
Timeline: First Age 489
Discussion Questions:
1. Should Túrin have anticipated Mîm’s treachery? What could he have done to prevent it?
2. Why does Morgoth want Túrin alive?
3. Why did Andróg save Beleg in the end?
March 4
Day 63
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 9: The Death of Beleg
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Read the fifth section, ending with “the Orcs found them not.” (including Commentary section 1: The primary narrative, (iii) Túrin and Beleg)
The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section II. The Earliest ‘Silmarillion’ Chapter 12 (including Commentary)
The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section III. The Quenta, Chapter 12 (including Commentary)
The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Year 189
The Lays of Beleriand: I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin, II. Beleg, lines 703 - 1338, including remaining Commentary
The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Years 288 - 289
The War of the Jewels: Part One: The Grey Annals, YS 489 - 490 (including corresponding Commentary)
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Angband, Crossings of Teiglin, Brethil, Ford of Brithiach, Pass of Anach, Ered Gorgoroth, Taur-nu-Fuin, Tol Sirion, Anfauglith, Thangorodrim, Lothlann, Ethel Ivrin, River Narog, Nargothrond
Timeline: First Age 489 - 490
Other: Listen to Cheyenne van L. - The Dancing Bardess’s original composition Laer Cú Beleg from The Children of Húrin on YouTube. Is it a suitable tribute?
Discussion Questions:
1. Which was the greater cause of Beleg’s death: Eöl’s treacherous sword, or Morgoth’s curse on Húrin’s kin?
2. Was it wise of Gwindor to keep Anglachel rather than bury it with Beleg?
3. Will Túrin find healing and renewal in Nargothrond?
March 5
Day 64
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 10: Túrin in Nargothrond
*This chapter will be read over the course of two days, so read about half of it today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Year 190 (including corresponding Commentary)
The Lays of Beleriand: I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin, III. Failivrin, lines 1339 - 2080 (including corresponding Commentary)
The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Year 290
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Nargothrond, River Narog, Guarded Plain, River Ginglith, Woods of Núath, River Nenning, River Teiglin
Note the “Moors of the Nibin-noeg” refers to the hilly area between Sirion and Narog bordered by Amon Rûdh.
Timeline: First Age 490
Character Cards: Finduilas
Discussion Questions:
1. Is it wise of Orodreth to take Túrin’s counsel?
2. What motivates Túrin?
3. What do you anticipate in the relationship between Finduilas and Túrin?
March 6
Day 65
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 10: Túrin in Nargothrond
*Finish this chapter today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Years 190-5 - 192 (including corresponding Commentary)
The Lays of Beleriand: I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin, III. Failivrin, lines 2081 - 22276 (including remaining Commentary)
The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Years 290-5 - 292 (including corresponding Commentary)
The War of the Jewels: Part One: The Grey Annals, YS 490-5 (including corresponding Commentary)
Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: Appendix - read from the paragraph beginning, “Andróg appears again” to the paragraph beginning, “One other passage”
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: River Sirion, Dor-lómin, Doriath
Timeline: First Age 490 - 495
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the differences between Beren and Túrin?
2. What power does a name hold? Is Túrin justified in trying to escape his name? Or is Gwindor right in saying that Túrin cannot escape his fate?
3. How does jealousy ruin a friendship?
March 7
Day 66
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 11: The Fall of Nargothrond
*This chapter will be read over the course of two days, so read about half of it today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Commentary section 3: Miscellaneous Matters, (iii) The geography of the Tale of Turambar
Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: Appendix - read from the paragraph beginning, “One other passage” to the end of the Appendix
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Mouths of Sirion, Firth of Drengist, Dor-lómin, Ered Wethrin, Nargothrond
Timeline: First Age 495
Discussion Questions:
1. Why was Túrin so hostile to Círdan’s messengers?
2. Why does Túrin mistrust the Valar?
3. What should Orodreth do?
March 8
Day 67
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 11: The Fall of Nargothrond
*Finish this chapter today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Read the sixth section, ending with “as he slept.” (including Commentary section 1: The primary narrative, (iv) Túrin among the Rodothlin; Túrin and Glorund)
The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Years 194 - 195 (including corresponding Commentary)
The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Years 294 - 295 (including corresponding Commentary)
The War of the Jewels: Part One: The Grey Annals, YS 495 (including corresponding Commentary)
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Brethil, Crossings of Teiglin, Pass of Sirion, Narog, Anfauglith, River Sirion, Ered Wethrin, Eithel Irvin, Nargothrond, Guarded Plain, Tumhalad, Angband, Dor-lómin
Timeline: First Age 495
Other: Look up illustrations of the Fall of Nargothrond. Consider the scope of this tragedy.
Discussion Questions:
1. What was the condition of Gwindor’s heart at his death?
2. Was Túrin to blame for the Fall of Nargothrond?
3. What was the errand Morgoth assigned to Glaurung?
March 9
Day 68
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 12: The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin
*This chapter will be read over the course of two days, so read about half of it today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Read the seventh section, ending with “honor among them.” (including Commentary section 1: The primary narrative, (v) Túrin’s return to Hithlum)
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Eithel Ivrin, Dor-lómin
Timeline: First Age 495
Other: Look up images of medieval great halls to get an idea of the type of room Turin is entering. There would have been many people present. Note that Brodda and Aerin were seated at the board, which was the head table, usually perpendicular to the other tables in the hall.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why did the people in Brodda’s house mistrust Túrin?
2. Do you suppose Túrin ever thought of Sador during the years he was away?
3. Do you think Sador still has the knife Túrin gave him?
March 10
Day 69
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 12: The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin
*Finish this chapter today.
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Years 195-6 (including corresponding Commentary)
The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Years 295-6
Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: Dór-lomin, River Sirion
Timeline: First Age 495
Other: Look up the meaning and origin of the name “Aerin.” Consider why Tolkien gave this name to this character.
Discussion Questions:
1. Was Túrin’s attack justified? Why or why not?
2. Do you agree with Asgon’s assessment of Aerin?
3. What should Túrin do next?
March 11
Day 70
Basic Reading:
The Children of Húrin: Chapter 13: The Coming of Túrin into Brethil
Supplementary Reading:
Prior Versions:
Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: The Coming of Túrin into Brethil
Enrichment Activities:
Maps:
Beleriand: River Sirion, Doriath, Ered Wethrin, Pass of Sirion, River Teiglin, Brethil, Amon Obel, Ephel Brandir, Nargothrond, Crossings of Teiglin, Haudh-en-Elleth
Timeline: First Age 495
Discussion Questions:
1. How did Finduilas know Túrin would come looking for her?
2. Why does Túrin call himself “Master of Doom”?
3. What has Túrin learned from his experiences?