Galadriel: And for you, Legolas, I give this bow of Lothlorien. Do me a favor and after the war show it to your father so he can see what real elvish crafts look like.
Étiquette : galadriel
But you know what? I never actually thought that Tolkien was sexist.
Hear me out – I see many various arguments about the lack of female characters in his works. But how I see this, is… quality over quantity. I just… can’t think the Professor was sexist when I read about Galadriel, one of the most powerful beings in Middle-Earth, or Éowyn, who slayed the Witch-King of Angmar, or Arwen, the Queen of Gondor, who had the strength of choosing to bear misery in the name of her love.
As I see it, it’s not about how many women are in the story, but who they are. And Tolkien’s women were all… iconic, dare I say. Some of the most characteristic and iconic characters of the entire genre. Sexism would be depreciating them, patronising them, humiliating them to show how weak women are. But Tolkien did the exact opposite, making his female characters strong and wise and loving women, wives, mothers, queens, warriors, people.
And I can’t think that Tolkien was sexist when I read about Lúthien, don’t even get me started on how iconic and epic and important she was. And she was based on his wife.
So… think what you want, guys. If you think the Professor was sexist, I can’t force you to change your mind, but I, as a reader, as a fan, and also as a woman, just can’t agree.
midnight-in-town 