#also it's kinda funny how Tolkien gets criticised for how his characters are supposedly all black and white

[crownedwithstars]

Yeah, and somehow at the same time it's such a cynical take but also wilfully ignoring that Fëanor has turned to the dark side at this stage (which seems to be Tolkien's point, anyway - I think there's a line in the Silm that of Morgoth's deeds, the corruption of Fëanor is among the worst). It doesn't even look like he's trying to get justice for Finwë anymore but simply wants to burn the world, because if he still cared about justice then why does he keep alienating allies and weakening his own chances? And not just his own chances but also those of his sons who took the Oath with him? Fingolfin had become a Kinslayer because of Fëanor and had no choice but to try and find a way into Middle-earth. Essentially Fëanor abandoned him and his host to die or to bear the consequences of what he himself started. I don't know, it looks like apologising for Fëanor is a special kind of rabbit hole.

Also the nonchalance for burning the Swan Ships... it's arguably worse than Morgoth's theft of the Silmarils, because at least the Silmarils still exist and might be reclaimed. But the Ships are Gone forever.

I do not understand those readers of the Silmarillion who say that Fingolfin should not have gone through Helcaraxe, but should have returned to Valinor. This is usually said by apologists for the Feanorians, to justify the burning of the Teleri ships. They overlook the fact that Fingolfin lost his father. He had no less a moral right to avenge his death. But Fingolfin also loved Valinor. And the light was taken away by Morgoth from all the Elves, including those who followed Fingolfin. They all had a motive to fight Morgoth. Besides, the Noldor people wanted to go to Middle-earth. And those same people wanted to go to Middle-earth with Fingolfin. No feud between brothers was worth burning ships for. And Fingon and his people were caught up in the kinslaying in Alqualonde. After that, there was no turning back. Fingolfin would never abandon his son. He had to go to Middle-earth. But no one had the right to destroy ships and put his brother and his people in a hopeless situation, when there was no choice but a deadly crossing.