Today I am re-reading this excellent book on J.R.R. Tolkien written by Professor Verlyn Flieger of the University of Maryland.
In this work Professor Flieger discusses how J.R. Dunne’s theories of time influenced Tolkien.
I find this fascinating, particularly her comment on page 107 where she writes, in reference to the seeming immortality of the Elves in Lorien,
“Where there is no time there can be no death. Without the death of each moment to make way for the next there can be no time.”
This has great echoes in my own writings, specifically my concept of “Cheating the Ferryman”.