Wonderful thread Idea
Estelyn, I expect nothing less.
Oi, speaking of the CbC I need to get my butt back there, but I've fallen so behind, I see no way in catching up, unless I just skip through to the next chapter...Then a problem is finding time to post.
Anyway, perhaps we could identify the Characters in Tolkien with the labels you give (fixed, wanderer, change...etc).
For example, I would put
Gollum with the fixed. He's unable to change. Though there is slight hope shown for him, in the end he was unable to change. He constantly desired the Ring back eventhough he hadn't had it for over 60 years. He was simply unable to let go of the past. Hence, a fixed character.
I would put
Faramir with the wanderers. As Denethor would say he was "Gandalf's pupil" and was wise in lore. He was open to change, and was open to going against things he was told not to (not taking the Ring back to Minas Tirith). He does this because he knows better, and he is able to decide for himself what is right and wrong. He's not afraid of going against his Father's will.
Which leads into another Tolkien theme (and I hope this isn't too far off topic, if it is just reprimand me). But, Tolkien tends to give his characters a mind of their own (atleast some of them). Examples are Faramir, Beregond, and Hama. They aren't made mindless robots that do exactly what their lord says, but they're able to judge for themselves what is right and wrong, and if necessary CHANGE and explore their past or options.
Faramir with not taking the Ring to Minas Tirith.
Beregond committing treason and murder to save the life of his beloved innocent Captain. (This gives me a thread idea, for I just thought of something but indeed this would be off topic).
Hama after being told to take Gandalf's staff judges for the better and doesn't.
Would this make these characters
wanderers then?
Then perhaps we see
Eowyn begin to change from a fixed to more of a wanderer. She first starts out as an anxious Shieldmaiden wanting to die in battle, and not sit back at home. And she desires Aragorn because she thinks he can give him this. Then there's a change when she meets Faramir. She's more settled down, and she weds the life of a man who is more of a Guardian to the throne until the King returns from business, not a guy that goes out and fights.