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PS. I have always understood that little interchange between Ioreth and Aragorn over athelas/kingsfoil to represent a difference between ancient male learnedness (read, Greek and Latin) and the womanly culture of oral lore (read, English). After all, it is Ioreth who remembers the old saying that the hands of the King are the hands of a Healer, and Gandalf rightly acknowledges her wisdom. (chapter ref, "The Houses of Healing")
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I'm not sure about any conscious associations of gender with this conflict, at least not in this scene: it's folklore versus erudition, with the ubiquitous Gandalf bridging the gap (I expect that Tolkien was taking a swipe at academics who belittle folk stories as "old wives' tales"). I also notice that the protagonists of both sides of the argument are made to look foolish beside the old wizard, who knows more about both versions of botany than either of them. The scene between Ioreth and the Warden is also a great way to break the ice after all the high drama that leads to the Houses of Healing.
Incidentally, no offence taken about the officer comment: those concerned haven't been above ground in a long time.
[ June 10, 2002: Message edited by: Squatter of Amon Rudh ]