Analysis of Style and Structure (Bilal Haider Syed)

             Many literal devices can be seen in the tale of The Children of Hurin. J.R.R Tolkiien used his power of words and language to craft this story like a sorcerer producing a potion from wisps of smoke. Because of his mind and talented tongue, he was able to write a tale that was titled one of the best parts of his self-invented Middle-earth mythological history. Not only is the plot great, but the way he words every sentence is an art of its own and this article was made to decipher the hidden codes within Tolkien’s mind.  
Foreshadowing

By the end of the story, all the foreshadowing that was shown in the beginning is given an appropriate outcome so that the reader can see how everything ended up. The reader can even make past references to events that were not thought to be something worth remembering, yet at the end even the little things that were mentioned are taken back and shown once more in new images. A perfect example would be when Saeros taunted Turin’s attire out of bitterness and even used that to taunt Turin’s mother, “If the men of Hithlum are so wild and fell, of what sort are the women of the land? Do they run like the deer clad only in their fur?” For that Saeros got himself a well-earned goblet to the face, thrown by a hand that belonged to the strongest man in Middle-Earth. Though, many years later Nienor was forced to do just that after her memory was erased. “But as for Nienor, she ran on into the wood, hearing the shouts of pursuit come behind; and her clothing she tore off, casting away her garments one by one as she fled, until she went naked; and all that day still she ran, as a beast that is hunted to heart-bursting, and dare not stay or draw breath.”
Another sort of foreshadowing was shown throughout the whole story. Turin continuously became a leader and lead his people to disaster due to undying courage and hatred of Morgoth, and all his family members carried those traits, including Hurin, Morwen, and Nienor. Since Hurin had shown that pride in the face of Morgoth himself, it could have been assumed that Morgoth would have picked out that flaw and used it, and so he did. That pride lead Turin to all of his failures and lured Morwen and Nienor out of Dor Lomin. More evidence of this can be seen through Mablung when he said, “Truly, it is by lack of council not lack of courage that Hurin’s kin bring woe to others!” And so Turin did by destroying Nargothrond, Bar-en-Danwedh, and Brethil and he brought himself woe at the end ultimately because of his pride of killing Glaurung. That put him unconscious and so the secret of Nienor and Turin was released.
Diction

Tolkien’s linguistic abilities are also beyond most men (I mean actual men in their 40’s and up). Not many people who read his way of writing can understand exactly what it is that is written. This is because he uses very high English and sometimes the way of old English. This creates an ancient feel to the story because, obviously, this is mythology and mythology is supposed to have an ancient feel to it. What can give that feel better than old and high English? In a way, Tolkien puts a clear language border and anyone who does not meet the criteria will have a hard time reading the rest (that does not mean that people should take this book off their list if they are not confident about their language skills because the story is not worth sacrificing just for the fear of language). He  uses the word “thrall” which many people do not know yet when Turin is a little boy, he asks what it meant like a normal child learning new words, “‘I do not know,’ said Turin. ‘I do not know what a thrall is.’”

That is not all though. As many know, Tolkien had created his very own Elvish language (though it was not as complete as most languages because it did not have time to develop) with grammar and vocabulary and all that. Almost every name had meaning. “Nienor” meant “weeping” because she was born in days of grief (that also foreshadows the tragic end, “Take now Niniel Nienor daughter of Hurin; Mourning, Mourning daughter of Morwen!”). Actually, Tolkien had created snippets of other languages as well which are mentioned very often and the differences are high-lighted, “‘Sharbhund we called it, before the elves changed all the names.’ Then they saw that he was pointing to Amon Rudh, the Bald Hill, whose bare head watched over many leagues of the wild.”
Symbols

There are many legendary weapons and precious materials, and they are very, very important. In fact, it is because of such materials that the whole Middle-earth history contains so many events and wars. Basically, these materials caused everything to occur. First it was the Silmarils, which were the three jewels that Morgoth stole from Feanor and all the events that took place after were a result of that action. Then once the jewels were lost, Sauron rose to power and crafted the One Ring and then the rest of Middle-earth’s history is based on the struggles with Suaron and his ring.All these objects had a meaning and were more than mere precious things, they symbolised something. Therefore it is not surprising to see that the objects in this story must also carry more weight than is let on. The two main weapons that Turin wielded were the Helm of Hadour and the sword Anglachel which was re-forged and then called Gurthang (Iron of Death). The Helm was not mentioned at all in the last section so I cannot discuss it. As for Gurthang, that blade played a major role in the last parts of Turin’s life so a bit of background knowledge is needed.

             This blade was forged by an evil Elf from the material of a stone that had come from the heavens and so that blade was loyal but forever bloodthirsty. In this tale, Beleg first wielded it then he was slain accidently by that exact blade with the hand Turin. Turin then took ownership of it and he became known as the Mormegil (the Black Sword). Just as he became famous after using the Dragon Helm, Turin became known to friend and foe as the wielder of the black sword and he killed many Orcs with that blade. Then after the fall of Norgothrond and the journey to Brethil, he no longer used Gurthang. That is until the coming of Glauring and with that sword, he killed the dragon and for a short while Turin treasured it above all his other wealth. Then after he heard what had become of Nienor, he killed himself with it.

This sword in my mind, represented all of Turin’s bad councils and was a part of Morgoth’s curse. Turin had received it by accidental treachery and had won many battles with it that lead to the ultimate loss of Norgothrond. Then, he put it aside and in that time the curse of Morgoth was blinded for some time until Glaurung came once more and then Turin used it again and defeated Glaurung. Once Turin had reached the peak of his love for the sword, Turin’s doom attacked. It also represented the end of Turin’s old life and the beginning of his new life (like the death of Harry Potter’s owl represented the end of Harry’s childhood) for he killed his last friend from Dor-Lomin with Gurthang and with it began a new life with all new people in it. Turin’s life ended once Nienor found out that she was, in a way, attached with Turin’s old life. Mablung had also come from Turin’s old life at the end of Turin’s new life, completing Turin’s life cycle which meant that it was either time for Turin to end, or for him to start over and so he chose end. Also, the death of Beleg had grieved the blade and so the blade could have also been a traitor, “This is a strange blade, and unlike any that I have seen in Middle-earth. It mourns for Beleg even as you do.” Once Turin had won his last outward battle with Gurthang, he then lost his internal battle and so used the blade that he used to kill his friend with, to kill himself. “And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: ‘Yes, I will drink your blood, that I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay you swiftly.’” The fact that seals all these theories (a part of Turin’s doom, end of old and new life, and a blade that holds an unsatisfied grudge) is that the blade shatters after Turin dies with it.  

There were many other literary devices that were used in this tale, but I think that this amount of information will be sufficient.