The article by Michael Martinez was most enjoyable and informative, Estelyn. To summarize, Tom and Goldberry represent marriage as Tolkien thought it should be with both partners creating and giving space for each other, completely devoted to each other, and submitting to each other, whereas the Ents and Entwives represent marriage that is doomed, having little or none of the characteristics embodied in Tom and Goldberry. There is far more to the article, and it brought me to tears - re-experiencing those scenes from LotR - so I encourage all of you to read it, too.
Sharku's quote from the letters seems to back me up in terms of gender tendencies in general, and Tolkien's experience of Oxford life specifically. Whereas you, Squatter, are clearly more informed about British culture than I, it seems to me that whereas the possibilities for change that you convey hold true, nevertheless the world Tolkien lived in - during the 30s and 40s epecially when he wrote LotR - was as I have described. Please understand, my friend, that I do not argue for a totality but in terms of tendency, both in general and specifically. And I hope this post isn't too complex and confusing.
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