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Originally Posted by Mithalwen
I have to say that I am not sure I wouldn't go that far.. I wouldn't say that she is particularly significant to the story - other than it oils Aragorn's acceptance by his people, and I think Tolkien meant no more than for her to provide a little light relief at a moment of high tension and as a device to get Aragorn into the city.
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True, but she does 'establish' Aragorn as the King as she reminds him that he needs to be a healer too. I think she shows 'acceptance' by the untitled people who aren't impressed with titles, lineages or skill with a sword.
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If you look at the original thread, she crops up as an example of an "ordinary", non-idealised woman. Perhaps she is the only one with a distinctive voice as you put it (and certainly she is distinctive).
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She gives the story a 'real' feel in that she is earthy/common - no elvish or Numenorian blood, no elvish prophecy in her head, no great feats of daring-do...During the coronation of the first king in *how* many generations she's still talking! How cool is that? ("Sure, the Nameless One was defeated and the King has returned, but wait until you hear what *I* did!").
Plus, Tolkien has so many major and minor characters to deal with that I think that you are to assume that there are many such Ioreths (ordinary woman) like there are many such Bergils (ordinary boy) to fill in the environment using the models that he provides.
I agree regarding the comic relief status. Gimli can't be everywhere...
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Gandalf calls her a "wise-woman" (altogether now "There are two things you should know about the wise woman... one .. she is wise..")
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Meaning? (Am I slow on the uptake?)