Strong women

[amyrlis]

Here are the opinions I shared (and still have) on the previous thread regarding sexism in Tolkien's writings.

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I won't complain at all about the so-called lack of strong female roles in LOTR, I guess because I disagree that there is a lack - Eowyn and Galadriel fill the void pretty well. And even though some may think that LOTR doesn't have many examples of Tolkien's strong female roles, I can think of many from his other writings, especially the Sil.

Take Galadriel again, an Elf Princess who desires to rule her own kingdom, she sets out for Middle Earth, defying the Valar and leaving behind her father.

Turgon's sister Aredhel - she refuses to remain in "hiding" in Gondolin and longs to roam the forests of Middle Earth.

Luthien, who battles Sauron (in song) at the Isle of Werewolves (am I remembering that location correctly?).

Idril, who had the foresight to prepare a secret passage out of Gondolin, then (with Tuor) lead the remnant of her people safely from its fall.

Morwen Eledhwen raised her children and defended her home after Hurin was taken. Evil feared her, and did not disturb her home. She had a name like "Lady of ?", but I can't remember it.

I almost forgot Melian the Maia, who protected all of Doriath with her power and gently influenced Thingol with her wisdom.

And then there's Varda, Queen of the Stars, and Yavanna, Mother of the Earth.

But, I do think that Eowyn is the "strongest" of them all. She was not a queen, not an elf or a maia with special powers or extraordinary beauty. She was just a girl who was misunderstood and alone, but in her most desperate hour she found the strength to face the greatest evil and defend her kin.

Anyway, in my humble opinion, Tolkien really admired women and in his writings gave them a stronger role than that which they actually had in early 20th century society.

[ November 01, 2002: Message edited by: amyrlis ]