Might as well jump right back in after all this time...
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Boromir, Eowyn and Gollum are linked in that they all of them pursue their own desires in direct contravention to what is needed or required of them by the Story, but redemption comes about for them through sacrifice.
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I read through this thread with the growing idea that
Fordim seems to have crystallized here. Boromir, Eowyn and Gollum all act and are driven by personal desires, which, as he had lined out initially, define them to a great extent. Boromir's desire is for glory and the honor of battle and the position of protector of Gondor. If we take this desire to its end, it is a selfish one, one that puts Boromir, in the final test, above his beloved country, his father, anything else. This is why Faramir's insight is so apt and yet so intuitive as to be obvious when one breaks down Boromir's motivations. This is the very thing that the Ring exploits in everyone, only these three characters seem to show it on the surface. They are the most obviously susceptible to the draw of desire.
Gollum is most susceptible, as he had only to look upon the Ring and he immediately falls to his desire of it. All his actions thereafter are motivated by this desire. Having lost the Ring, his only motivation is to regain it. In a way, it seems rather than, as
davem suggests, that Gollum is forced into an oath at last extremity, that he is instead willing to take the oath to further his contact with the Ring and ensure that his chances of regaining it are much larger than if he does not take the oath. In other words, Gollum may be in a tight place, but his understanding of the oath is not pure. The oath is a means to his desire, and by this discrepancy is Gollum made to trip over the inherent (although often petty) evil of being slave to one's desires. This is what makes his near redemption so extraordinary, as he is, for one moment, able to see through this desire and to "see the light," but, as Tolkien himself said in other words, his conversion was spoiled not only by the brusqueness of Sam at the vital cusp, but also by the fragility of a new concept to one so thoroughly steeped in evil ways. It could not even stand a harsh word from Sam, even though Sam DID apologize afterwards! But there is a near redemption and a glimpse of light to be seen, proof that Gollum was not beyond saving. He ends up "in persistent wickedness," however, so any real redemption is not his own but Middle Earth's.
As for Eowyn, her desire is for a strong realm and an escape from a cage enforced by her being female and surrounded by those who seem to be heralding the end of Rohan. She wishes to escape the decay she is witnessing around her and latches on to Aragorn as a beacon of hope. But she is merely transferring her "shadow and a thought," her desires, onto Aragorn, because he is possessed of strength and purpose. When he bursts her bubble, so to speak, she desires death in battle, a final escape (compare this with Denethor's despair and madness...I think Eowyn's motives somewhat similar, but she is capable of more self-sacrifice than Denethor shows...). I think, in a way, her redemption is aided by the pure love of Merry for Theoden. Merry wishes simply to fight by Theoden's side and to be with him in danger, as well as in his halls. Eowyn realizes her love for her uncle in a much more real way, in a way that does not require that he be anything other than what he is. Her fear and disappointment, felt keenly at Edoras, dissolve in an act of defense out of love for Theoden
as he is, rather than as she desires him to be.
Spinning off into the vast galaxy of points in this discussion, perhaps there is a point to be seen in the contrast between leaders Theoden and Denethor. They are both influenced by hobbits. I am a great believer in the efficacy of applying hobbits to any problem one might have in order to clarify and simplify it. Merry is salve to both Theoden and to Eowyn, while Pippin fulfills a similar role to Faramir and attempts to do so with Denethor. I find it interesting to note that Pippin, as he is standing at the Black Gate, wishing Merry were there so that they might die together, is reminded of Denethor and his despair. Pippin, however, being sensible, rejects the psychological and spiritual pit that Denethor falls into, and puts all his energies into the fight without the intrusion of desire. The beautiful aspect of this ability is not only that it is quintessentially "hobbitish," but that it also is an ultimate rejection of selfishness and a flowing into the Story. Pippin's spirit even laughs a little, realizing the Tale is a tale and the dark desires of one such as Denethor cannot further a proper Tale with a proper spirit.
(I hope that is not too far afield for the discussion...it was irresistible!)
Cheers!
Lyta
P.S. I don't know if this would further the discussion, but perhaps it would be of interest to identify and quantify the foils of these three characters: Boromir-Faramir, Gollum-Frodo, and Eowyn-Arwen. (I'm reaching with the last one, but the way I see it, Eowyn is driven by the desire to escape a cage, while Arwen is driven by her innate selflessness and pure faith and to the extent of giving up her birthright in order to fulfill her love for Aragorn. In so doing, she also makes her sacrifice of immortality more meaningful in that she gives her place on the ship to the West to Frodo so that he might have a tangible reward that addresses his real needs. ) Although her people are fading, every act and fruit of her hands proceeds in furtherance of hope for Men, without regard to the separateness of the Elves (that might not be expressed as fluidly as I'd like, but I'm out of practice so please forgive me!) But this has gone on quite long enough and I'll break off and keep reading and thinking a bit! Cheers again!