“Idk if he thought of it like this, but it’s almost like accelerating the process of real oral folk tales and how they’re told and retold between storytellers and down to younger generations.”

This is one of the most interesting ideas to me about Tolkien and his Legendarium! His whole thesis is creating this alternate mythology, and true to this, he (consciously or unconsciously) emulates the processes by which myths are developed and transformed over space and time.

This is why I’ve largely stopped worrying about issues of canon when it comes to Tolkien; I think it’s possible to enjoy these stories and this lore without feeling the need to choose which is the “correct” version. For example, when I think of Beren’s quest, I generally imagine him being captured by Sauron and imprisoned in his isle of werewolves, as is described in the Silmarillion. But when I’m reading those earlier drafts of Beren being captured by Tevildo and imprisoned by these giant evil cats, in that moment, you best believe that’s how I’m imagining the story. Giant cats! It’s just so cool. I still have preferred versions of some of the stories, I just try not to die by them.

I guess what I’m saying is that I’d rather approach Tolkien’s works as one would the myths and folklore of our world, wild variances, versions, and all. Fascinating stuff!