|
Eowyn is deeply unhappy when we first meet her, not because she's in denial about her proper feminine role, but for the much more immediate and concrete reason that her nation and her family are about to be wiped out by seemingly all-powerful forces of evil, and her uncle is refusing to do anything about it. I think that one of the main reasons she falls for Aragorn is that he arrives like a breath of proactive air - at last, someone who is actually going to *do* something about this awful situation!
Subsequently, the forces of evil are defeated and hope is reborn. There is no longer any need for anyone, male or female, to fight to the death in desperation.
She is not the only character who is taking on the role of post-war healer and nurturer. Many of the male characters we encounter in the book - Aragorn, Faramir, the hobbits - will be taking on similar roles for the lands and people they are in charge of and care about. We see Sam nursing and healing the Shire...
Cibbwin, I like your observations and agree with most of them, but I'd like to point out that the Beren/Luthien storyline is actually quite a common traditional fairytale motif....there's a whole 'family' including Cupid and Psyche, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, which involves princesses looking for lost husbands)
|