Matriarchal or Patriarchal societies in ME ???

[Thinlómien]

An interesting thread, but I'm afraid I can't add anything decent. (The only point I had in mind resembled that of Elempí's, who - I must say - said it a lot better than I could ever had and whose point was more comprehensive than mine would have been.)

Originally Posted by Lal

Anyway, thinking about it there could be one fully matriarchal society in Middle earth, if it can be viewed as a 'society', that of the spiders. If we are going to look at that as a society then its not the most pleasant one, is it?

I wonder what the militant, hot-headed-type feminists would say about this...

Originally Posted by Lal

Anyone in the UK will know what I mean if I raise the name of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet).

You don't even have to be in UK to know her... I must say I find Lobelia far more pleasant that Mrs. Bucket.

Originally Posted by Lal

Maybe this again shows that Tolkien disliked the idea of either a complete patriarchy or matriarchy? Hmmm...

I'm sure there was/must be at least one complete patriarchy that wasn't too horrible, but I just can't get what it was.