Spiritual Relationships

Tolkien uses Ulmo and the Valar to show how the fate of both gods and humans are bound to each other. The relationship between the Valar and the people of MIddle-earth is the focal point of the The Fall of Gondolin. When united, like Ulmo and his followers, evil can be defeated. When divided, however, corruption will destroy both. Only by mending this relationship can the light of Valinor be returned to all of Middle-earth.

First, it is important to understand that the Valar have already distanced themselves from Middle-earth even before the birth of the Eldar. At the very beginning of the prologue, the Valar have already retreated in to Valinor where they “gather all light and beautiful things, and build their mansions, gardens and city” (24). While the Valar are collecting jewels and beautiful pieces of life such as flowers and other plants, they...