March

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?

March 12

Day 71

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 14: The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond
    *This chapter will be read over the course of three days, so read about one third of it today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Commentary section 3: Miscellaneous Matters, (v) Túrin’s age 

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Nargothrond, Doriath, Region, River Sirion, Twilit Meres, Blue Mountains

• Timeline: First Age 496

​

Discussion Questions:

    1. Should Thingol have forced Morwen to stay in Doriath?
    2. What do you learn of Niënor’s character from this introduction?
    3. What similarities and differences do you see between Niënor’s devotion to Morwen and the biblical story of Ruth?

March 13

Day 72

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 14: The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond
    *Read the second third of this chapter today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Background:

  • The Peoples of Middle-Earth: Part Two, Section XII. The Problem of Ros

• Prior Versions:

  • The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Commentary section 3: Miscellaneous Matters, (vi) The stature of Elves and Men

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Doriath, Nargothrond, River Narog, River Sirion, Amon Ethir, High Faroth

• Timeline: First Age 496

• Other: Look up illustrations of the meeting of Niënor and Glaurung.

Discussion Questions:

    1. How could Mablung’s plan have been improved?
    2. Why do some people remain calm when others panic?
    3. Is there any hope for the children of Húrin?

March 14

Day 73

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 14: The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond
    *Finish this chapter today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Commentary section 3: Miscellaneous Matters, (vii) Winged Dragons

  • Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Nargothrond, Faroth, Amon Ethir, River Narog, Doriath, River Teiglin, River Sirion, River Esgalduin, Middle-Earth, Dor-lómin, Ered Wethrin, Mouths of Sirion

• Timeline: First Age 496

Discussion Questions:

    1. Is Niënor’s condition worse than death?
    2. What caused the change in Niënor’s behavior and made her run away so fast?
    3. To what extent was Mablung responsible for the fate of Morwen and Niënor?

March 15

Day 74

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 15: Niënor in Brethil
    *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 half of the eighth section, up to the paragraph ending with “his eldest son Tamar Lamefoot.” (including Commentary section 1: The primary narrative, (vi) The return of Gumlin to Hithlum and the departure of Mavwin and Nienóri to Artanor)

  • The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Year 196

  • The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Year 296  (including corresponding Commentary)

  • The War of the Jewels: Part One: The Grey Annals, YS 495 - [496] (including corresponding Commentary)

    
Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: River Teiglin, Brethil, Crossings of Teiglin, Haudh-en-Elleth, Ephel Brandir, Celebros, Nen Girith

• Timeline: First Age 496

Discussion Questions:

    1. How was Niënor comforted by Túrin’s presence?
    2. What might Túrin have been thinking about the situation?
    3. Why did Niënor respond to the name Túrin gave her, “Níniel”?

March 16

Day 75

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 15: Niënor in Brethil
    *Finish this chapter today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Commentary section 1: The primary narrative, (vii) Mavwin and Nienóri in Artanor and their meeting with Glorund)

  • The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Years 197-8 - 198

  • The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Years 297-8 - 298 

  • The War of the Jewels: Part One: The Grey Annals, YS 497 - 498 (including corresponding Commentary)

  • Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: Niënor in Brethil

​

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Ephel Brandir, Brethil, Doriath, Crossings of Teiglin, Amon Obel

• Timeline: First Age 498

Discussion Questions:

    1. Was Niënor’s appearance on Haudh-en-Elleth a sign?
    2. Would you expect Niënor to react to the name of Húrin? Why do you think she did not?
    3. What is troubling Brandir?

March 18

Day 77

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 16: The Coming of Glaurung
    *Read the second third of this chapter today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: The Coming of Glaurung - read up to the section beginning, “Now when Turambar was gone…”    

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: River Teiglin, Ered Wethrin, Crossings of Teiglin, Brethil, Celebros, Nen Girith, Ephel Brandir, Nargothrond

• Timeline: First Age 499

Discussion Questions:

    1. Is Túrin’s plan good? Does he expect to defeat Glaurung?
    2. What has Túrin learned since the first time he faced the dragon?
    3. Why is Brandir so bitter toward Túrin?

March 20

Day 79

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 17: The Death of Glaurung
    *This chapter will be read over the course of three days, so read about one third of it today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Commentary section 1: The primary narrative, (ix) The slaying of Glorund

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Cabed-en-Aras

• Timeline: First Age 499

• Other: Look up illustrations of this scene. Which are most accurate to the text?

​

Discussion Questions:

    1. Was Dorlas a coward?
    2. How do you picture Glaurung’s “seven tongues of fire”?
    3. Was Hunthor’s death a result of the curse upon Túrin?

March 21

Day 80

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 17: The Death of Glaurung
    *Read the second third of this chapter today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: The Death of Glaurung - Read the first section, ending with, “and his sword was beneath him.”

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Nen Girith, Celebros, Crossings of Teiglin, Amon Obel, Brethil, Haudh-en-Elleth, Cabed-en-Aras

• Timeline: First Age 499

​

Discussion Questions:

    1. Was Túrin unwise to retrieve his sword?
    2. Why does fear cause people to assume the worst?
    3. What does Níniel expect to find?

March 22

Day 81

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 17: The Death of Glaurung
    *Finish this chapter today.

​

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • Unfinished Tales: Part One, II. Narn I Hîn Húrin: The Death of Glaurung - Finish this chapter today.

​

Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Cabed-en-Aras, Haudh-en-Elleth, River Teiglin, Nen Girith, Brethil

• Timeline: First Age 499

• Other: Remember Húrin, sitting on the stone chair, watching these events unfold. Consider how he must feel, being unable to intervene in any way.

Discussion Questions:

    1. Why did Glaurung reveal Niënor’s identity?
    2. What counsel do you wish you had heeded?
    3. Why does Brandir predict that Brethil will never again be free from grief?