What is a theme that can be drawn from the story of Turin Turambar?

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2004

Answers

This is another of the "pride goeth before the fall" stories. Turin would have done well in Nargothrond, had not his yearning for "brave strokes and battle in the open," i.e., his Viking-like pride of prowess in battle. While this made him a mighty warrior, his ill counsel led to nargothrond's fall, and after he kills Beleg, he pouts like a little girl. Injured pride indeed.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2004

For the love of God, do NOT sleep with your sister. That's just gross.

Also, if you KNOW a sword is cursed and is black and has all sorts of weird things happening to the person who wields it, THROW IT AWAY. Evil magic swords do absolutely no good to anyone in the long run, and the longer you wield it, the more likely you and those you love will get themselves messed up and/or killed.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2004

I think a theme in this story would be to not let anger and emotion rule you. Everytime Turin seems to get to a place where he can just live, he goes off in some rage and ends up with another problem. Case in point he leaves Doriath when the messengers stop returning with news about his mother.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2004

A theme that arises in Turin Turambar seems to be beware grudges because they bring no good. Examples: Morgoth's grudge against Huron for defiying him brings a curse on all his kin; Mim's grudge against Beleg leads him to betray Turin's soldiers on the Bald Hill, Eol grudge residing in the sword Angachel brings doom upon all who use it, and a lot of others.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2004

As John said, there is definitely a theme of pride and its downfalls in this story. Every time Turin gets to a safe place, he finds that he must prove himself to keep his pride.

Also, Turin gets very proud of himself after he kills the dragon, leading him to believe that he will be fine to just go and get his sword back. Due to this false assumption based on pride, he sister ends up dead.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2004

Another theme is to listen to those who are wise and understand the situation. If Ulmo of another Valar indicates that something is a bad idea, listen to him because he is probably right. Turin does not listen to Ulmo and it leads to the destruction of Nargothrond. Also, when Gwindor is dying he tells Turin that Finduilas is all that stands between him and his doom, and Turin instead looks for his family first, which leads to quite a few problems. If he had just listened to good council in the first place, this tragedy probably would not have happened at all.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2004

I agree with Maria on her point about the bad results of not listening to the advice of those who are wise. Most people ignore Gwindor and his advice (including the King of Nargothrond) when he tells them that an evil doom lies on Turin. Turin even tries to hide from his own fate. He accuses Gwindor of calling his doom upon him, which he would seek to escape.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2004

Turin seems very arrogant, just like the Noldor. His head swells up like a balloon of pride, but, as in most stories with tragic endings, the downfall usually happens after pride as John said. I'm seeing a lot of comparison in this to other parts of the Silmarillion. It mostly has to do with Feanor and the Noldor, but sometimes in battles with Melkor, the Dark Enemy of the World swells up with it.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2004

I think there is an apparent theme of family. We notice Turin's strong connection to his family and through out the book he h=is referred to as Hurin's son. It seems hard to live up to that name and the strong family ties are apparent.

-just thought that may work -ror

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2004

I think this story (like that of Oedipus, with slightly different familial relations) has a theme of people who run from their fates always meeting them in the end. Turin went through a lot of trouble to "remake" himself and avoid his doom, yet if he had stayed with his true name his sister probably would've remembered him before things got . . . weird.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 2004

Well, from most of the Elves and virtuous individuals in the past there's this emphasis in their character on detachment. Or, maybe that's not the right word. They do not give into their emotions, don't let anger or pride or lust rule them, bear their grief in silence, and remain very reserved. I guess that's a better word. Turin does not; he lets his anger dominate him, and his pride as well; he defies the proper conventions and traditions and is scornful. He allows emotion to overcome him instead of focusing on the right. I guess the theme would be not to do that.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2004