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

[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?'

.