Eowyn: was Golden Compass

[or.phan_ann]

susanmcgee48176 wrote:
>
> Remember that Eowyn was forced to see her uncle dominated          
> by Wormtongue who tormented her. 
> 
> Like many men rejected by women, they think that perhaps a         
> brave death is all that is left to them.
> 
> I think I'm having a problem with people assuming that the         
> only reason a woman would become a warrior is related to a man.

Ann:
More canon: in "The Houses of Healing" Gandalf notes explicitly that 
Wormtongue has been dominating Eowyn as well as Theoden:

> Think you that Wormtongue had poison only for Theoden's            
> ears? "Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a thatched barn where 
> brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll on the floor among 
> their dogs?" Have you not heard those words before? Saruman         
> spoke them, the teacher of Wormtongue.

(I'm fairly sure he's quoting something Eowyn said earlier, but I 
can't find the exact reference.) And "The Steward and the King" makes 
it clear that she's suffering from something similar to modern 
clinical depression.

Has anyone read "Ash: A Secret History" by Mary Gentle, by the way? 
It's about a fifteenth-century female mercenary captain, and an 
invasion of Burgundy. It's a fantasy, and I recommend it, but be 
warned - it's long and unsentimental. Other strong female characters 
in good fantasy:

Luthien, Q. S.
Jane, The Iron Dragon's Daughter, Michael Swanwick*
Alyx, The Adventures of Alyx, Joanna Russ
Captain Jane Roland, Catherine Harcourt, Iskierka, &c., "Temeraire" 
series, Naomi Novik
Almost all of Diana Wynne Jones' female protagonists, especially 
Polly in Fire & Hemlock
Therru &c., Tehanu, Ursula Le Guin
Most of Studio Ghibli's films, especially Nausicaa, Kiki's Delivery 
Service, and Princess Mononoke*

That's just off the top of my head; anyone got any more?

*"Strong" doesn't necessarily mean "admirable"

Ann