Are Tolkiens Books Sexist?

[Rosie Posie Burrows]

Replying to the original message:
There are some points there I suppose- but that person obviously didn't know what she was talking about! She could at least have found out a little of the background of Lord of the Rings and known that Arwen is an elf, not a woman. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]
When considering this we have to remember that Tolkeins' works were essentially a collection of myths and legends from Middle Earth, and if you look at any myths and legends from other cultures, such as Greek or Roman, there is a definite absence of women with swords, saving the day. It's the men who are the heroes in that sort of genre.
Also, as Lord of the Rings was set far in the past, when women's roles were definitely set as the ones that stayed at home and looked beautiful, then it's hardly surprising that womens' roles in the book were what they were. A really forthstanding female heroine would not have fitted in in that world. Considering all this, and society as it would realistically have been on Middle Earth, some of the women in Lord of the Rings are surprisingly unconventional, especially that one that comes in in the second book, I think, I can't believe I've forgotten her name… the one that wanted to ride to battle with her father. You know which one I mean…
So, no, I don't think Tolkein's books are sexist really.
Phew! What a lot of words!
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