Chapter 2, The Earliest Summary and Analysis

In a previous volume, Christopher Tolkien explains the text of the Silmarillion and repeats that explanation here. The "Sketch" has a unique beginning for the history of "The Silmarillion" and is a brief synopsis. Later it was revised; Christopher reprints the text as it was written originally and broken it up into short sections. The first section outlines the mythology but focuses on the "Children of Hurin."

The second section introduces the conflict between Morgoth and his Balrogs and Orcs and Orome, who discovers the Elves have awoken on Earth. He returns to Valinar to tell the Valar; they have a duty to govern the two races of earth at the time. The Eldalie are invited to Valinor due to the fear of Morgoth and Orome leads them. On the march the Eldar are split into three...