[Pyro7480]

I saw the author speak on this at the Heritage Foundation yesterday over lunch. She gave a really good presentation. Her niece was also present to assist her, since she is also a huge Tolkien fan. She expanded on her article a bit, and opened it up for discussion. The whole thing was taped by Book Tv, and should air in late January 2004

[Pyro7480]

Ping!

[SuziQ]

I'll have to watch for this!

[Xenalyte]

Why is there seemingly so little written about Tolkien and women?

Perhaps because Tolkien wrote so little about women. I always found Arwen stultifying. When my best friend and I were in junior high, we'd role-play LOTR, and we'd have screaming knock-down-drag-out fights about who got to be Eowyn.

[squarebarb]

Important to remember Tolkien was English and all of the women were royal. They were of the aristocracy. Except Bilbo's mother. So they had certain roles to play as aristocrats. Eowyn takes on the duties of an aristocratic male, that of a squire, really, as in a young warrior that has been knighted. Arwen oerforms the duties of the princess of a small kingdom. The rules Eowen breaks are those expected of a royal princess.

[LiteKeeper]

reqd later

[Mercat]

I just finished Return of the King for something between the 7th and 10th time. I've lost track. I've read the others almost as often. I'm sorry but I love the scene in the movie, Fellowship of the Ring where Arwen brings Frodo to the river and leans over him and prays, "What grace is given me, give to him." What a wonderful prayer. I always thought that she was too distant in the book... too much an old bachelor don's fantasy. Jackson fleshes her out. This is a mother's prayer, a lover's prayer, truer love than this etc sort of love.

[LinnieBeth]

Really good critique, Thanks.

She forgot Goldberry- but hey-
I agree with her comments about Arwen, I would add that I have come to see Arwen, not a 'passive', but as an Intercessor. Having a depth of love and faith, able to encourage Aragorn to fulfill his role, but rather that passive, she continues to actively support him with intercession.

With Eowyn we meet her and watch her before she finds and loves Faramir. We don't know but can guess that her restlessness and physicality aren't quieted by that love. Tolkien doesn't say, but I've always assumed that she finds a completeness and becomes a bit more tranquil and serene in her marriage to Faramir.

Just a thought?

[sweetliberty]

"Some critics claim that Tolkien’s serene version of femininity is offensive to the modern female viewer. As a modern female viewer, I find the assumption itself offensive."

I would absolutely agree with that. Feminists exploit femaleness at the expense of femininity.

[mnehring]

btt

[Immerito]

Thanks for posting this. Great article.