Are Tolkiens Books Sexist?

[Lush]

Having a sex life and being a sex object are, of course, not the same thing at all.

You're quite right to call me on that Belin, and perhaps I needed to clarify my definition of the term "sex object."

In general, I believe that the greater precentage of women are, to a certain extent, "sex objects" in the eyes of men. This has nothing to do with the sexual choices they make, but rather with the general dynamic between the sexes (and nowhere is this more evident than on a college campus on a Friday night [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ).

The point I am trying to make is that almost any attractive woman can be branded a "sex object", whether she uses this "honor" to her own means or not is entirely up to her. In countries such as Thailand and Russia, for example, a huge amount of impoverished women have fallen back on their bodies as a means of survival. Of course, this is more than being a token "sex object", this is simple prostitution, yet I think these terms are linked to a great extent. I also think that unless the citizens of these said countries are willing to fix up their societies, they have no right to judge these women...But that's beside the point.

What I'm driving at is that female sex-appeal needs to get a little more respect, unless men themselves are willing to change (which I find highly improbable).

When Aragorn first meets Arwen, he is floored by her beauty, yes, but we ultimately get the sense that he didn't marry her just for sex (at the same time, we shouldn't deny the importance of sexual attraction in a number of succesful marriages). Arwen exhibits patience, foresight, restraint, and strength. Remember when she gazes at Frodo, and he feels as if he has been pierced? I don't think that this was Tolkien's effort to illustrate how "hot" she is, I think he's really giving us a taste for the whole magic and wonder of the Elf that is Arwen. It's one of my favorite parts of the book, actually.

As for the question of "well why didn't she go with the Fellowship?", have you ever thought about the fact that (besides the reasons that have already been listed, all of them quite logical) she might have just wanted to spend some time with her father and her people? She knew eventually that if Aragorn succeeded, she would part with those she loved, forever. Imagine that!

Why would she give up the last months with her family, in exchange for joining a quest she had barely anything to contribute to anyway, while putting the whole Fellowship at risk for bitterness and strife (imagine what Boromir, who always liked to have his way, would do if he suddenly took a liking to our Elven babe...)? Just food for thought, I guess.