LotR -- Book 5 - Chapter 08 - The Houses of Healing

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by Esty

Which is your favourite line?

For me, it is this:

'Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man's heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned.'

Seeing as I am a female, I cannot vouch for these words from Aragorn. But this statement made him all the more endearing - swoon-worthy, if you will. (How I missed that word.) There is no question about Aragorn's faithfulness to Arwen despite the distance between them; in The Passing of the Grey Company we have witnessed a bitter exchange between Aragorn and Éowyn that left us without a doubt that Aragorn cannot and will not reciprocate Éowyn's feelings for him, no matter how much it hurt him to see her love him hopelessly. There is also that subtle reference to Arwen in Rivendell which Éowyn did not catch. After all, his primary motivation for doing all that he does is his love for Arwen.

But in the conversation preceding Éowyn's healing we see that Aragorn is not completely oblivious to the effects he had on Éowyn. (Nor is Éomer, although there is no mention of him in relevance to the issue previously.) It is touching that Aragorn, despite his seemingly harsh manner towards Éowyn in the aforementioned chapter, shows that he actually cares a lot about her. I can almost see the guilt solidify in his mind (or maybe it's just me), but Éomer was quick to reassure him that he does not hold him responsible for whatever has befallen his sister. And the statement I quoted above reveals a slight regret on his part for not being able to love Éowyn back. (Dare we think that if Arwen were not in the picture, Éowyn would be Queen of Gondor? )

Indeed what a different world we would have if all men would think along those lines in such circumstances as Aragorn and Éowyn were in.

One of the things that I wondered about most the first time I read this chapter is this glaring difference in Éowyn's healing from that of Faramir's and Merry's: Aragorn left before she woke up, and instead of calling her himself he passes the task to Éomer. What could be the possible reason behind this? Was he afraid that her feelings for him would be rekindled, in fact be even stronger, seeing that she is indebted to him for her life? Or did he just think that Éomer is more appropriate for the task, what with him fearing that his sister was dead and all?

Further thoughts on this to come. (My, I seem inspired by personal experience! )

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

. . . . There is no question about Aragorn's faithfulness to Arwen despite the distance between them; in The Passing of the Grey Company we have witnessed a bitter exchange between Aragorn and Éowyn that left us without a doubt that Aragorn cannot and will not reciprocate Éowyn's feelings for him, no matter how much it hurt him to see her love him hopelessly. There is also that subtle reference to Arwen in Rivendell which Éowyn did not catch. After all, his primary motivation for doing all that he does is his love for Arwen.

But in the conversation preceding Éowyn's healing we see that Aragorn is not completely oblivious to the effects he had on Éowyn. (Nor is Éomer, although there is no mention of him in relevance to the issue previously.) It is touching that Aragorn, despite his seemingly harsh manner towards Éowyn in the aforementioned chapter, shows that he actually cares a lot about her. I can almost see the guilt solidify in his mind (or maybe it's just me), but Éomer was quick to reassure him that he does not hold him responsible for whatever has befallen his sister. And the statement I quoted above reveals a slight regret on his part for not being able to love Éowyn back. (Dare we think that if Arwen were not in the picture, Éowyn would be Queen of Gondor? )

Indeed what a different world we would have if all men would think along those lines in such circumstances as Aragorn and Éowyn were in.

. . . .

Lhunda, are you suggesting that one of the main purposes or functions of Eowyn as a character is to provide an opportunity for Tolkien to explore Aragorn's temptation? Aragorn foregoes using his power over someone, a trait which most (if not all ) men lack? The desire to use a talent, a skill, an ability is, Tolkien says in "On Fairey Stories" a dominant characteristic of mankind--he even says it is a god-like attribute when he describes it as the urge to subcreate. Yet here Tolkien has Aragorn walk away from his "Ring".

This would suggest that Tolkien was less interested in exploring female psyche--something which makes Eowyn very different from Arwen and Galadriel after all and is anomylous in the tale--but was simply looking for a way to dramatise Aragorn's self discipline and special heroism.

[Lalwendë]

At the very end of the next chapter is the hint that maybe Anduril was simply kept sheathed:

Then he drew Anduril and held it up glittering in the sun. 'You shall not be sheathed again until the last battle is fought,' he said.

If so, then that was a wise move on the part of Aragorn. The tales quickly spread around Minas Tirith that 'the king' had returned after he had been into the Houses of Healing; previous to this, it was more diplomatic to keep such a highly symbolic item as Anduril hidden. He literally kept his Kingship under cover.

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

One of the things that I wondered about most the first time I read this chapter is this glaring difference in Éowyn's healing from that of Faramir's and Merry's: Aragorn left before she woke up, and instead of calling her himself he passes the task to Éomer. What could be the possible reason behind this? Was he afraid that her feelings for him would be rekindled, in fact be even stronger, seeing that she is indebted to him for her life? Or did he just think that Éomer is more appropriate for the task, what with him fearing that his sister was dead and all?

I've thought of that one myself, as it did seem to stick out as rather odd behaviour on Aragorn's part. But thinking about it, his behaviour here seems very noble and indeed, caring. He realises that he was the catalyst for Eowyn seeking to go to war and even reveals a little of his feelings on the matter. If he had been there when she woke then this might have appeared to Eowyn to be a 'sign' of something other than simple caring for a fallen comrade. Whether or not she actually would think that we cannot say, but Aragorn clearly sees that there is this risk.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Lhunda, are you suggesting that one of the main purposes or functions of Eowyn as a character is to provide an opportunity for Tolkien to explore Aragorn's temptation? Aragorn foregoes using his power over someone, a trait which most (if not all ) men lack? The desire to use a talent, a skill, an ability is, Tolkien says in "On Fairey Stories" a dominant characteristic of mankind--he even says it is a god-like attribute when he describes it as the urge to subcreate. Yet here Tolkien has Aragorn walk away from his "Ring".

This would suggest that Tolkien was less interested in exploring female psyche--something which makes Eowyn very different from Arwen and Galadriel after all and is anomylous in the tale--but was simply looking for a way to dramatise Aragorn's self discipline and special heroism.

I think Tolkien explores Eowyn's psyche in some depth. In this instance he is exploring Aragorn's psyche. Aragorn does not use his 'power' over Eowyn because it would be wrong to do so. He certainly was not averse to using his power over a weaker opponent if it was necessary - he does exactly that with Gollum when he captures him - & so does Gandalf in the dungeons of Thranduil. I think this is a case of circumstances altering cases.

[Essex]

Reading this chapter shows to me the amount of attention I give to the hobbits whilst reading the books. It is to these creatures I really invest my time and thoughts to. I seem to love them like sons. The pride I feel when they are honoured or praised brings
tears to my eyes. When Eoywn awakes, one of the first things she states is

And what of the king's esquire, the Halfling? Éomer, you shall make him a knight of the Riddermark, for he is valiant!

The pride I feel for Merry here is emmense. Also, when Gandalf earlier mentions to Pippin

He should have been borne in honour into this city' he said. 'He has well repaid my trust; for if Elrond had not yielded to me, neither of you would have set out; and then far more grievous would the evils of this day have been.'

again, this is a very emotional point for me, along with the pang of sorrow I feel for Merry when he asks Pippin

'Are you going to bury me?'

.