Join Marilyn R. Pukkila, a Tolkien scholar and librarian emerita, as she delves into the awakening of men in The Silmarillion. The discussion unveils the acceleration of time and the perceived inaction of the Valar. Topics include the complex dynamics between men and elves, and the implications of mortality and free will. Marilyn also tackles Tolkien's colonial influences, portraying his empathy for oppressed peoples amid epic conflicts. This insightful conversation reveals the intertwined fates of Middle-earth's races and the broader themes of love, legacy, and choice.