Females in the Fellowship

[Rina]

I think that Tolkien had a very flattering conception of women in LOTR. Most of the female characters are portrayed as being on a higher plane. They are powerful and pure and goddess-like. Think of Goldberry and Galadriel and Arwen and Eowyn. They are without the flaws and foibles of the male characters. Tolkein does not poke fun at his female characters. They are almost reverenced. I don't think this could have been achieved if there had been female members of the Fellowship. They would have been taken off their pedastals and set amidst the common toil. They could hardly have been ethereal while tramping through marches and up mountains. I think that, far from being misogynistic, Tolkien is actually being gallant in his portrayal of female characters.

[ March 16, 2003: Message edited by: Rina ]