Were elves REALLY immortal?

[Celebrimbor]

I remember reading in the Simlarillion that elves "live a very long time" unless they experience "a lot of grief" or something very similar, and can't quite recall what the book said.  Anyway, could my memory on this be helped?

[menace64]

The Elves were not granted the Gift of Death (as they called it), so yes, they did not die of old age. However, beyond sharp eyesight, lightfootedness, and some astounding reflexes, they were just as vulnerable to mortal wounds as humans, and despair could drive them to death.

But even then, the death they did experience was little akin to humanity's. Look at Glorfindel, for example. While some could argue that there were actually two Glorfindels (one who fought Gothmog, the other present during the War of the Ring), the fact that no other Elf in the entire mythology has the same name as any other Elf makes me believe that they're one in the same, and that he was just the first (or one of the very few) Elves to choose to come back to Arda.

[Celebrimbor]

Thanks, Menace...I am relieved.

It's also interesting to note that Elves were also impervious to disease and sickness, unlike the humans were.  Which brings another thought to mind - Tolkien sounds almost racist, that some races are "better" than others.

[Kralik]

Tolkien sounds almost racist, that some races are "better" than others.

And on the same note... MAN, were those orcs ugly!
I think a variety of races with their own skills, pros, cons, etc. is just a staple of fantasy. Of course, modern fantasy does have its roots in Tolkien, but I wouldn't read too much into it.

[menace64]

Of course, modern fantasy does have its roots in Tolkien, but I wouldn't read too much into it.

You wouldn't read much into Tolkien!? How dare you.

These are no longer your forums.

Get out, you.

Yes, I know what you meant. But putting "wouldn't read" and "Tolkien" in the same sentence is still blasphemous.