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Originally Posted by littlemanpoet
This is an interesting point. I was sympathising and relating to Túrin right up until, having joined the outlaws, he did nothing to stop them from their crimes. This showed either cowardice or extreme self-centeredness, narcissism. From then on I wanted Túrin to make virtuous, or at least right, choices, fully aware that he would not, and made note of not only the incidences of his continued failed opportunities as well as the motivations behind them. Not a pretty story.
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It shows neither - it shows that he had lost faith, felt betrayed & disrespected. Later he does stop them behaving in that way, & actually leads them in the 'right' path.
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One particular incident comes to mind. Túrin was spelled by Glaurung (as was Nienor later), and therefore it could be argued that his failure to save Finduilas was not his fault but Glaurung's. Such would be a mistaken view. Túrin was so full of wrath and revenge, not to mention guilt at having brought Nargothrond directly to its destruction, and so filled with reckless courage (which is to say foolish - "where angels fear to tread") that it doesn't occur to him not to look in Glaurung's eyes.
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Of course, one could argue that, Glaurung being the father of Dragons, Turin did not know what the effect of looking into his eyes would be. Bilbo had the benefit of knowing - possibly as a result of what had happened to Turin. Of course Turin looked his foe in the eye - that's what a warrior would do, & that's precisely why Bilbo didn't look Smaug in the eye. His 'betrayal' of Finduilas was a direct consequence of his over-riding desire not to betray his mother & sister. As far as he knew he had to choose between them.