The Middle Earth Popularity Cup

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

I would be more worried of the fact that she seems to be very popular among the males: I bet they all just like her looks.

Well it certainly isn't her sparkling dialogue and great personality is it? Surely the fact the woman never speaks is a factor.

Aganzir & Lommy - you completely misunderstand Eowyn. Her despair is not caused by Aragorn - he just shuts a door out of it and her happiness is not dependent on Faramir. She has changed within her self which allows her to be happy and with him. She makes her own choice - she chooses life over death and with it accepts a man who loves her for herself. She is far from anti-feminist - it is a rather old fashioned feminist view that you can't have self fulfilment and a happy relationship - and frankly the Faramir- Eowyn relationship is about the only one in all middle earth that seems to have the potential to be truly happy and balanced. Why is choosing to be a healer a cop-out? Do you think women doctors in our age have betrayed the sisterhood? Do you think that Eowyn really wanted to be a career soldier ?

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Aganzir & Lommy - you completely misunderstand Eowyn. Her despair is not caused by Aragorn - he just shuts a door out of it and her happiness is not dependent on Faramir. She has changed within her self which allows her to be happy and with him. She makes her own choice - she chooses life over death and with it accepts a man who loves her for herself. She is far from anti-feminist - it is a rather old fashioned feminist view that you can't have self fulfilment and a happy relationship - and frankly the Faramir- Eowyn relationship is about the only one in all middle earth that seems to have the potential to be truly happy and balanced. Why is choosing to be a healer a cop-out? Do you think women doctors in our age have betrayed the sisterhood? Do you think that Eowyn really wanted to be a career soldier?

I have nothing against a woman finding happiness or purpose in marriage, nor do I definitely have anything against women finding their place in a profession that falls within the limits of the rather limited traditional female role. However, I'm not happy with Éowyn's end, it seems a bit forced. (I admit I would probably like Éowyn's story better if it was in a book written by a more feminist author...) I don't mean to imply that Éowyn even wanted to be a career soldier, but she did have the spirit of a warrior instead of a passive caretaker which she had been all her life. I don't want to pursue this topic too much within the limits of this thread, but I'll say I would have liked to see her end up as some sort of independent ruler (of course, nothing against her co-ruling with her beloved husband ) who would take the sword to protect her people if necessary. But the healer-ending is just too lame, and too much of the sort that "a smart girl stops disobeying and takes the place she was appointed (by men) in the first place".

Mith, why don't you vote Merry now, btw?

[Mithalwen]

But she is not taking a male appointed role. She is taking the role she chooses for herself - and the greatest healers in Middle Earth are men!!! Elrond & his sons, Aragorn..the houses of healing is run by a man.

However maybe, at the risk of sounding very patronising, it takes age and experience to "get" Eowyn. I thought much the same at your age though I loved Eowyn, I felt she had got a lesser fate. Only later and after much more careful reading did I realise she hit the jackpot. It is quite clear to me that she will be Galadriels to Faramir's Celeborn (albeit a rather more interesting Celeborn ). Eowyn will never be passive and I doubt that is what Faramir would want. Far less lame than dying for love like Luthien and her mini-me.

Incidentally when she was given the opportunity to lead her people she didn't take it. She has spirit certainly but I think in times of peace she would not seek battle for its own sake. I see no blood lust in her. Her mission is to defend her king not simply fight else she would have stayed with Elfhelm's Eored.

Anyway ++Merry. He is a splendid hobbit. He is observant, curious but thinks first unlike Master Took. he is a scholar (a philologist what is more) but not a bore. He is a bon viveur without being decadent and though a smoker has the decency to do so outside. He is a great friend and shows true courage. Sam's bravery stems from his devotion, Frodo has his duty, Pippin to an extent is along for the ride but Merry has more understanding of what he is letting himself in for and still goes. Then he is a Brandybuck and has that "Celtic" quirkiness I can relate to. And he hates places that are too noisy ...I am quite one to prefer a quiet walk and a breath of air over a crowded bar at times.

I keep thinking of him as a "Spook" now.... maybe Harry. He has always been one of my favourite characters whereas the canary is fighting it out with Bombadil for most hated.

++Meriadoc Brandybuck

[skip spence]

Summing up the votes it appears Luthien, our favourite fluttering infatuation, has danced herself to a 7-6 win. It's also been made clear she can't rely on any support from Mithalwen in later rounds.

Match 12 of Round 1:

Now for a real Aman derby where feelings are bound get heated. He was fascinated by her beautiful golden locks, but was refused even a single strand of it. One thing led to another and soon enough he led a rebellion against the Gods, leading the Noldor back to Middle Earth. She came too, perhaps just to **** him off.

Fëanor vs. Galadriel