Why 'The Children of Húrin' Was Included in 'The Silmarillion' and Not 'The Lord of the Rings'

The Children of Húrin is a standalone story set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, but it was not included in The Lord of the Rings. This article explores the reasons behind this decision and the importance of The Silmarillion for contextualizing the events of The Lord of the Rings.

Scope and Focus

While The Lord of the Rings primarily follows the quest of Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring, The Children of Húrin is a tragic tale set much earlier in the First Age, focusing on the lives of Túrin Turambar and his family. J.R.R. Tolkien's narrative in The Lord of the Rings is centered around the War of the Ring and the fight against Sauron, and it would have been significantly expanded if it had included The Children of Húrin.

Chronological Context

The Silmarillion serves as the historical background for the events of The Lord of the Rings. It contains the mythology, legends, and histories of Middle-earth, including the tales of the First Age which encompass the story of The Children of Húrin. By including it in The Silmarillion, Tolkien provided readers with a deeper understanding of the world's history, enriching the context of the later events in The Lord of the Rings.

Publication History

The Children of Húrin was published posthumously in 2007 as a separate work, edited by J.R.R. Tolkien's son, Christopher Tolkien. Prior to this, the story was known from various versions and fragments found in The Silmarillion and other writings. The later publication allowed for a more complete and cohesive narrative than what could have been included in earlier editions of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings.

Time and Setting

The Children of Húrin, as the title suggests, is set in the First Age of Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, is set at the very end of the Third Age, over six thousand years later. The events of The Lord of the Rings take place thousands of years before the characters from The Children of Húrin are ever mentioned. The Silmarillion begins with the creation of the world and the "Let there be light" moment, and it ends with the War of Wrath and the defeat of Morgoth, marking the end of the First Age.

Conclusion

In summary, while The Children of Húrin is an important part of Tolkien's legendarium, its themes, timing, and narrative structure make it a better fit for The Silmarillion than for The Lord of the Rings. This mosaic of works provides a rich tapestry of Middle-earth's history, ensuring that readers have a comprehensive understanding of the world in which the later stories unfold.