This presents an overview of how we have gone about splitting up P-text and naming the resultant pieces along with a comprehensive list of examples. It assumes you are familiar with the Data Model.
The general principles we have followed are:
- If the text is interrupted, we start a new P-text.
- Depending on how and why it is interrupted, we either use the same number with a new letter (e.g. P6a to P6b) or increment the number (e.g. P6 to P7).
- If the text is in a distinct, headed section, we start a new number.
- If it is interrupted by a figure, brief commentary, elision, or by a footnote indicating a change in writing medium or timing, we start a new letter but retain the number.
- if alternatives are presented in the same, headed section, all versions in a larger font are designated as P-text with differing letters but the same number.
Note that these principles mean that the P number is generally not the same as the chapter number. Because P naming is scoped to a volume, it is often
necessary to specify the volume number and this is done with a colon
(e.g. 01:P2) to avoid confusion with the format for
chapters (e.g. 01.02).
Examples
01.02 The Music of the Ainur 01:P2, 01:P3
We give the link text and the Music of the Ainur itself distinct numbers because Christopher presents them as separate texts in different headed sections.
01.07 The Flight of the Noldoli 01:P8a, 01:P8b, 01:P8c, 01:P8d
We divide the P-text of The Flight of the Noldoli into four because Christopher presents it that way, P8c being a rider replacing P8b, P8a being the text before the rejected text, and P8d being the text after the rejected text. It is clear that Christopher only splits it that way because of the portion of the tale being replaced by a rider and so we have used a single number for all parts.
01.08 The Tale of the Sun and Moon 01:P9a, 01:P9b, 01:P9c, 01:P9d
At three points in The Tale of the Sun and Moon, Christopher elides the text and presents a summary (which we designate as N-text). Each time, we start a new letter but retain the number.
02.01 The Tale of Tinúviel 02:P1a, 02:P1b, 02:P1c
The first part of the Link to The Tale of Tinúviel is presented just from the typescript and then, when the divergence is greater, both the manuscript and typescript. We give each the same number but different letters.
02.01 The Tale of Tinúviel 02:P2a, 02:P2b
The Tale of Tinúviel itself is presented as a single text but is interrupted both in the print book and ebook by images and so we have split it retaining the same number.
02.02 Turambar and the Foalókë 02:P3a, 02:P3b, 02:P3c, 02:P3d
For Turambar and the Foalókë, the first and second split occur when Christopher gives a rejected passage and a rider that replaces it. As with 01:P8, the alternatives as well as the preceding and following texts are given distinct letters but the same number.
02.03 The Fall of Gondolin 02:P4, 02:P5
As he has done before, Christopher presents the Link to and the Tale of The Fall of Gondolin in separated headed sections and so these receive distinct numbers.
02.04 The Nauglafring 02:P6a, 02:P6b
This split in The Nauglafring is indicated only by a footnote but the P-text shifts from the version written in ink to that in pencil and so we have used distinct letters but the same number for these two parts.