Eowyn & Aerin, by Himring

[hhimring]

Author: Himring
Title: Eowyn & Aerin
Rating: PG13 (reference to canonical suicides)
Theme: Lord of the Rings, Children of Hurin, female characters
Subject: Can the story of Aerin from the Children of Hurin throw any light on Eowyn's words to Aragorn?
Type: Essay
Author's Notes: An idea I've carried around since writing a bio of Aerin for the SWG

Comments

[lavendertook]

Great well supported argument. Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[hhimring]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you found it worth reading!

[bunn]

Excellent analysis!

I'm not sure I agree with your reading of her end as a final act of despair in the Denethor tradition though

"Her heart was not faint, and patience will break at the last."

Denethor falls before his city is taken, he falls prey to despair while there is still hope, albeit faint.

Aerin has lost everything, and I read her death as heroism in the Germanic tradition, going down in flames and glory when the shieldwall is broken at last and all hope is gone: refusing defeat even when it is the only option left. I don't see Aerin dying alone. I do hope she took a goodly number of her enemies with her!

That discussion between Aragorn and Eowyn always reminds me that while Tolkien was in the trenches, his wife Edith was at home, and how hard that must have been for both of them.

[hhimring]

Thank you very much for your comments

[talullahred]

It's an interesting parallel and yes, I agree that it might indicate Tolkien sympathized more than he's usually credited. I find that in Erendis's story too, actually, although it's a different thing. I think he paints them both as equals in will, but then gives Erendis good motive for her actions. But returning to a feminine brand of courage, if it can be called that, you make a remark that I will be considering - that both Eowyn and Aragorn are right and wrong. I've always thought that while she was brave, she was mostly wrong. I will be reading that passage again.

[hhimring]

I agree about Erendis, although it's quite a tangled affair, that one.

With regard to Eowyn and Aragorn, you could also consider: they both have their prophecy, she as much as him, although she doesn't even know it yet. Yet, he says "you have no errand to the south", doesn't he? Well, don't events prove him wrong, actually?

[talullahred]

Well, don't events prove him wrong, actually?
Indeed. I do think that she had a duty she left behind, but in the grander scheme of things, she probably knew Edoras would not shatter to pieces in her absence... on the other hand, if the Enemy won, there would be nothing much to worry about - after claiming Gondor, overrunning a warrior-emptied Rohan would be a picnic and Eówyn staying behind on account of that eventuality would serve nothing. I think she chose herself, and this bothers me in a non-sexist way - it would bother me the same if she was a younger brother. But I'm not saying I wish she had stayed at home in any way. That's one of the parts of the story that I like the most, actually, this Faramir courting her, which is far more romantic than the Aragorn/Arwen moments.

[drummerwench]

Really interesting comparison, and apt. Aerin and Eowyn being in rather similar circumstances, and responding in similar ways (though the outcome not so much). Thank you!

[hhimring]

Thank you! I'm glad you found the comparison apt.
If I'd had more time, I might have considered Eowyn's side of things a bit more--but as far as the outcome is concerned, it's a very good thing that Eowyn did not end like Aerin...

[lindahoyland]

I enjoyed this thought provoking essay.

[hhimring]

Thank you, Linda! Glad you found it thought-provoking.