Tolkien sexism

[Catherine Danielson]

Amy Z wrote
> I don't think the lack of female characters ever
bothered me in 
> either The Hobbit or LOTR - I identified with Bilbo
in the Hobbit, 
> and Sam Gamgee/Eowyn in LOTR. The two major female
characters in 
LOTR 
> especially were SO major, I just didn't notice the
relative lack of 
> minor females.
> 
> LOTR especially, was a 'going off to war' story, and
I just happily 
> assumed that in the times it was set in, women
didn't 'go off to 
> war'. Which is why I liked Eowyn so much, I thought
Tolkein was 
> actually very good at portraying a warrior by nature
who'd been 
born 
> a girl. 


I have to admit, that always did bother me. Eowyn
wimped out and started fluttering her eyelashes at
Faramir, undoubtedly leading to scads o'kids and a
rather boring life. Now (hee hee, really opening the
can of worms) I honestly have to say that I believe
that in his private life, Tolkien was a sexist human
being. Yes, the time and place he was immersed in,
blah blah. Nevertheless, it is a fact. Evidence? He
couldn't stand C.S. Lewis's wife Joy because she was
so outspoken, and was furious at Lewis for marrying
her. Never really forgave him, even after she died. > 

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