Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo
A star shines on the hour of our meeting1
Greetings, friend! Welcome to Remembered Lore.
This is a blog about Story and Language. Here I will share my literary and linguistic musings and delve beneath the roots of works of great literature, exploring their depths: how they are woven into the great tapestry of the human race. Language walks hand-in-hand with Story; whether spoken or written, language is the foundation of storytelling. Words express ideas in a very wonderful and mysterious way and pondering their beauty increases our appreciation of their power. I may also explore related topics from time to time (education, philosophy, etc.), and will not hesitate to share quotes, poetry, and essays written by authors other than myself.
My reader no doubt wonders at the title of this blog, “Remembered Lore,” and its significance. The answer is a simple one. Many speak of “forgotten lore” in reference to old mythology and tales. In a way, they speak the truth. The tales of bygone days are being forgotten, pushed to the side in favour of newer (but not necessarily better) ideas. I want to remember that lore. That is the goal of this blog—to remember those forgotten writings and obsolete words, learn from them, and allow them to add beauty to our lives.
I readily confess I am no “expert” in this field, no sage with a venerable degree in philology or literature. However, I have had a bountiful education in the Classics and Latin and have studied for numerous years using the Socratic method.2 In wandering through Plato, G.K. Chesterton, and Jane Austen, and discussing the questions of liberty, truth, and beauty, I have cultivated a deep-thinking mind. It is because of this education that I feel capable and qualified for the adventure ahead. These blog posts are the result of countless hours spent in purposeful thought and wisdom-searching discussion.
So. The wardrobe door beckons, friend. Will you come with me and explore lore and literature no-longer forgotten? The deeper meaning of everyday words? The way to a fuller life of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness? Such things are not hard to find. But in truth, my friend, though one may travel such a road alone, the way is pleasanter with company, and I would fain beg you to join me on this journey to Light.
Notes:
1A greeting used by the Elves in J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology and quoted by Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring, Bk. 1, Ch. 3.
2The Socratic method is a form of Classical education developed around 450 BC by the Greek philosopher Socrates. The Socratic method teaches students by asking them questions instead of presenting facts. For example, What is truth? What is love? etc. (in contrast to In which year did Napoleon fight the Battle of Waterloo? or similar questions with fixed, factual answers). When used in the teaching of literature, such questions challenge students to think about the deeper meaning of literature, how it reflects humanity, and how it can affect their daily lives. Read more about the Socratic method here.
Remembered Lore 