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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fusangite" data-source="post: 1901458" data-attributes="member: 7240">I have to chime in in support of Barsoomcore here. For those who don't see what he means about Middle Earth, I think the best analogy is to a chemical reaction. You have a test tube. You pour in various substances that react with eachother. Eventually, the various chemicals finish reacting with eachother after presenting you with a dazzling display of froth, pungent odors and a dramatic change in colour. This is essentially the theory of the Tolkienesque world. In order to produce another beautiful, dramatic reaction, you have to add new ingredients. The chemicals you started with are done. Now, if you want to view the test tube as the world, then yes -- there are an infinite number of chemical reactions you can have in there. But we're viewing the starting combination of chemicals as of the beginning of the reaction as the world.At the end of LOTR, the elves are gone; the rings are gone; magic is gone; the last of the Maiar all leave Middle Earth. Now, if you see Middle Earth as that map that folds out of the book, then Middle Earth isn't over. But barsoomcore and I see the elves, magic, the rings, etc. as part of what makes Middle Earth Middle Earth.</blockquote>