Eowyn, the White Lady

[pkgrl]

Anyone else just wanna smack Eowyn? Every time she looks as Aragorn, I just wanna thwack her!

Or do you think Aragorn's stupid for not taking her more seriously?

[eskarina]

Oh, no. I love Eowyn. She's much better than Arwen for Aragorn. (*silently drools*) She's got more personality and character than Arwen.

[pkgrl]

True, she's the only true feminist in the book, but don't you think she's a bit selfish? The reason she wanted so badly to fight was so she could have glory in battle, the same as the men of Rohan, not out of any desire to protect her people.

Of course, by the time I'd read about her, I'd already read the story of Aragorn and Arwen (from the appendix) and I just love those "destined to be together" stories. Once I'd read all that stuff about Eowyn only having eyes for Aragorn, I thought, then start looking someplace else, sister! He's taken! I'm kinda protective of his relationship with Arwen. :blush:

[FeedMeTV]

i have to agree with pkgirl, I sat in the cinema thinking "he's taken, get your paws off!"

I think if Arwen hadn't been on the scene then an Aragorn and Eowyn relationship would have worked. And I suppose that when they were together they laughed and had a good time, I wish Arwen would smile a bit more, I know there's not a lot to smile about for her but still!

[kelsi]

Originally posted by FeedMeTV
i have to agree with pkgirl, I sat in the cinema thinking "he's taken, get your paws off!"

she can't help who she falls for!!

[pkgrl]

True. And Aragorn is a hottie. :naughty: She just can't help herself....

[Lonewolf89]

I hated Eowyn! In the movies all I wanted to do was hit her over the head. Or, better yet, demand Arwen come back and kick her butt! :evil:

I had hoped her portrayal in the books would have been better, but I didn't like her there either.

[captaincarter]

I've always liked Eowyn, especially in Return of the King, she is one of the best charecters, i wish thye had more of Arwen in the movies, though, remeber movies don't have to go directly like the book

[Leyla]

Eowyn rocks!!! A true feminist!!! She is so the best character (ok, so I love to always see a strong female character, lol). I just so sympathise with her, I mean I can see exactly why she falls in love with Aragorn, it ain't her fault he's taken! And she doesn't sulk about it either. And so what if she just wanted glory in battle - go her!!! Why shouldn't she have glory in battle? Grr, I just wanna o fight a battle now, lol.

[Tabitha]

I thought Eowyn came across much better in the films than in the book, actually.
Although I did wonder if it was a bit irrresponsible of her to abandon her people - after Theoden had told her to rule in his place - to fight alongside the others. But then I thought about it a bit harder, and decided that perhaps it did make sense - I don't think she was being selfish, she was just convinced that she was needed on the battlefield as much as anyone else, if they were indeed fighting for their entire race/nation/civilisation.

And hey, it is obvious that she ended up being a fairly important player in that battle.

And as for Aragorn... I think they would have made a great couple. I found Arwen to be so wishy-washy with all her elvish whispering.

Mind you, Eowyn ends up with Faramir in the end, and that is just perfect

[Leyla]

Well said Tabitha!!

[ray gower]

Being wary of the swishing handbags here, but I agree Eowen never had anything more than a crush on Aragorn.

It held the possibility of escaping servitude, it had nothing to do with feminisim, just she wished she was a chap.

[Tabitha]

Originally posted by ray gower

It held the possibility of escaping servitude, it had nothing to do with feminisim, just she wished she was a chap.

Yep - that's it exactly! Eowyn's actions aren't particularly feminist in nature - I don't think she (or rather, Tolkien, through her) was making any kind of sweeping statement that all women should enjoy exactly the same rights and opportunities as men, but rather she is a bit of a tomboy chomping at the bit.

Had there been more of a feminist slant I would have expected her to raise a force of female rohirrim, instead of just sneaking along by herself, in disguise.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by ray gower

Being wary of the swishing handbags here, but I agree Eowen never had anything more than a crush on Aragorn.

I disagree (from The Third Age, The Prologue and Appendices to LotR, HoME XII):

She for love of the King rode in disguise with the Rohirrim and was with him when he fell. By her hand the Black Captain, the Lord of the Ringwraiths, the Witch-king of Angmar, was destroyed.

It held the possibility of escaping servitude, it had nothing to do with feminisim, just she wished she was a chap.

I don't see how she could possibly escape servitude, if she let aside the leadership that her father had ascribed to her just to become a simple soldier.

[Paige Turner]

* rolls up sleeves *

Okay, now you're disparging the name of my favourite character. It will not stand.

Eowyn remains the most compelling character of the story to me. My greatest—well, my first—complaint about the movie version of Lord of the Rings was that Arwen was reformed into some kind of sword-wielding warrior-maiden. Arwen is eye candy, pure and simple. Nice girl, good at crafts. By "redefining" her character, Jackson utterly diminished Eowyn's glory, making her appearance on the Pellenor Fields a matter of course; just another chick in battle.

Eowyn shared the same lust for battle, victory and glory as the men of her race. Her refusal to live a life of acquiescence, imprisonment and diminishment stands as a delaration we should all consider.

The moment she reveals herself and sends a ripple of doubt through the Dark Forces endures as one of the most moving scenes in the book, and to me, the turning point of the entire story.

Yes, she loves Aragorn. He inspires love in all. But it is what he represents in terms of power, of honour, and of sacrifice, that draws her. She comes to see this, eventually, and acknowledges that she loves him because he personifies all that she desires for herself in terms of valourous battle.