Were Dwarves attracted to Elves?

[hankpac]

HI: new here.
I think Gimli was more of a superstitious person, as most Dwarves were regarding Elves. they were hidden, mistrustful and almost miserly hermits in their caves, hoarding their riches. elves were of the sunlight, and forest.
He speak of Galadriel as a witch, knowing but little, and most of that tales to frighten children Dwarves.
When he finds out how wrong he is, he is utterly disarmed, and completely taken with her charms. She does indeed steal his heart, and he becomes not only fast friends with Legolas, he is ever and fully devoted to the Lady.
Attracted? No it is far deeper than that.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Gimli did hone in on Galadriel's golden hair as something he was impressed by. Did he see her head as a large gold nugget?

You're putting it in a bit of joking tone, but in fact, I would say technically the answer is "yes" in the very metaphorical sense: I think Lommy has a point there, and Gimli's kind of admiration for Galadriel's beauty was of a similar kind that he would have for a beautifully polished gem or something like that. "Gold nugget" is probably nothing that beautiful by itself, but the delicate strands of hair, delicate but strong and shining of gold or who knows what "magical Elvish" glow they might have had, I would say it is not far-fetched to compare.

Originally Posted by Silmarillion, Chapter 5

A sister they had, Galadriel, most beautiful of all the house of Finwë; her hair was lit with gold as though it had caught in a mesh the radiance of Laurelin.

Somebody likes Silmarils (or: everyone likes Silmarils), I think the hair "goes in the same direction", and I can see especially people prone to liking such things (Fëanor and Dwarves - note that it was exactly those two who had asked for Galadriel's hair).

Originally Posted by UT, The History of Galadriel and Celeborn

...gave to Fëanor the thought of imprisoning and blending the light of the Trees that later took shape in his hands as the Silmarils. For Fëanor beheld the hair of Galadriel with wonder and delight. He begged three times for a tress...

Originally Posted by hankpac

HI: new here.
I think Gimli was more of a superstitious person, as most Dwarves were regarding Elves. they were hidden, mistrustful and almost miserly hermits in their caves, hoarding their riches. elves were of the sunlight, and forest.
He speak of Galadriel as a witch, knowing but little, and most of that tales to frighten children Dwarves.
When he finds out how wrong he is, he is utterly disarmed, and completely taken with her charms. She does indeed steal his heart, and he becomes not only fast friends with Legolas, he is ever and fully devoted to the Lady.
Attracted? No it is far deeper than that.

This is a good point, too. The "moment of surprise" was definitely of large importance there, and I think it's been overlooked here by previous posters. It definitely plays a major role there, too, and the words that "...it seemed to him that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and
understanding" clearly indicate something deeper and more important going on there.

And welcome to the 'Downs!

[Galin]

Well, to any who are stressing other factors behind Gimli's reaction to Galadriel: is the implication that Gimli was really only attracted physically to Dwarf-women?

Look I don't mean to keep things shallow here... but actually I thought that was the original point

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Galin

Well, to any who are stressing other factors behind Gimli's reaction to Galadriel: is the implication that Gimli was really only attracted physically to Dwarf-women?

We don't see much of them to really know. Does Gimli even know that they are women?

[Galin]

Well, I really meant: is the implication that Gimli didn't really find Galadriel physically attractive?

Incidentally, considering that dwarf-women are under discussion, any future flippant comments about the name Nerwen will be ignored by me in this thread.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Galin

Well, I really meant: is the implication that Gimli didn't really find Galadriel physically attractive?

Sure he did. At least, IMO. But I think that his attraction to her was on a much deeper level as well. Everyone could find her physically attrctive, but not everyone found fer to also be a friend (not sure if it's the best way to describe it here). Boromir didn't, even though he's a Man, not a Dwarf.

[blantyr]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Sure he did. At least, IMO. But I think that his attraction to her was on a much deeper level as well. Everyone could find her physically attrctive, but not everyone found fer to also be a friend (not sure if it's the best way to describe it here). Boromir didn't, even though he's a Man, not a Dwarf.

Galadriel seems able to read the hearts of others, though the person so read is at least partially aware of what she is reading. I always figured she saw something of Boromir's temptation, and he would be to some degree aware of it. I can see how he would be troubled.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by blantyr

Galadriel seems able to read the hearts of others, though the person so read is at least partially aware of what she is reading. I always figured she saw something of Boromir's temptation, and he would be to some degree aware of it. I can see how he would be troubled.

He continued to see Galadriel as a "which" from the "tales". During their first meeting, he wasn't decided about what he really wants (which is to take the Ring).He kept disliking, not trusting, and not respecting Galadriel because he didn't wish to understand or "see into the enemy's heart" like Gimli did.

[Galin]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Sure he did. At least, IMO. But I think that his attraction to her was on a much deeper level as well.

Yes, and I keep hearing that

But your initial question was not about possible deeper levels, but whether Dwarves found (or could find) Elves attractive physically; and my point is that while The Book of Lost Tales quote is dubious enough, I think Gilmi can be used as an example that it was possible, and the response 'it was more than physical' is basically off the point to that...

... again, unless anyone out there intends to imply that this deeper level really explains Gimli's devotion to Galadriel, meaning he didn't really find her fair on a physical level (shallower level though it be!).