J. R. Tolkien's Women In The Hobbit And Lord Of The Rings

Middle Earth’s Women Outline

J. R. R. Tolkien’s works are regarded as one of the best fantasy worlds ever written. Tolkien creates a story set in a world so unique, yet reflective of our own society. However, his works include very few female characters. Using The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings as a basis for analysis, this task will answer the question “How is a social group marginalized, silenced, or excluded in the text?”

• The only female character mentioned by name in The Hobbit is Bilbo’s mother, who is dead before the book begins.

• Filmmakers added female characters to The Hobbit movie adaptions in order to appeal to a wider audience.

• While there are many important male characters in Lord of the Rings, there are essentially only three important female characters.

• The exclusion of women in The Hobbit and The Lord of the

These characters “…are great, well-drawn, complex, and totally interesting” (Pless). While distinctly different from the male characters, they are strong, capable, and independent. The three that really stick out are Arwen, Eowyn, and Galadriel. “Arwen decides to give up her tradition and family, standing against her father, in order to stay in a dying world with the man she loves” says Deborah Pless. She is strong and confident, and does what she must to help those she loves. Her character is admirable and notable. However, when on her Lord of the Rings wiki page, little information is given that does not deal with her romance with Aragorn. Eowyn wants to be a Rider of Rohan, and she makes it happen. She rides with them in disguise to the battle of Pelannor Field. She proves herself in battle when, “She avenges the death of her uncle by slaying the WitchKing…” (Women of Middle-earth). Her character is particularly fascinating, and she is very well written. By slaying the WitchKing, “…she saves Rohan, and she’s a fantastic ruler”