Melian's Heir and Other Mothers of Middle-Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nar · 07-06-2002, 08:55 PM

Excellent topic, Belin. For some reason I connect Gilraen's exhaustion (I hope HER hope was dimned and not gone completely) and Miriel's exhaustion after giving birth to Feanor. I don't know why, Gilraen's was at the end of her life, not directly after pregnancy. It's something to do with giving so much to your child there's nothing left.

Galadriel is a fascinating mother figure, because at the well, she's challenging and frightening-- there's something of the knife-edge of a crazy-brilliant mother, manic-depressive or nearly, and then as she resists the lure of the ring, she becomes giving and nurturing but also wise as a sage. A mother's good advice is stereotypically ignored, ignore Galadriel's advice at your ultimate peril! In addition to Frodo, Sam seems to have a particular connection to her, almost mystical, on the cliffs and during the journey through Mordor. It seems like Sam was taking on the Luthien/Huorn role of rescuer at that point, and Frodo was taking on the Beren role of seeker and sacrifice. So-- if Galadriel was Melian's heir in that era, and Sam was Luthien's heir in that era, Galadriel would be Sam's honorary mother! And Frodo's honorary mother-in law. I'm sure she'd be honored.

07-06-2002, 08:55 PM	#8
Nar Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 228	Excellent topic, Belin. For some reason I connect Gilraen's exhaustion (I hope HER hope was dimned and not gone completely) and Miriel's exhaustion after giving birth to Feanor. I don't know why, Gilraen's was at the end of her life, not directly after pregnancy. It's something to do with giving so much to your child there's nothing left. Galadriel is a fascinating mother figure, because at the well, she's challenging and frightening-- there's something of the knife-edge of a crazy-brilliant mother, manic-depressive or nearly, and then as she resists the lure of the ring, she becomes giving and nurturing but also wise as a sage. A mother's good advice is stereotypically ignored, ignore Galadriel's advice at your ultimate peril! In addition to Frodo, Sam seems to have a particular connection to her, almost mystical, on the cliffs and during the journey through Mordor. It seems like Sam was taking on the Luthien/Huorn role of rescuer at that point, and Frodo was taking on the Beren role of seeker and sacrifice. So-- if Galadriel was Melian's heir in that era, and Sam was Luthien's heir in that era, Galadriel would be Sam's honorary mother! And Frodo's honorary mother-in law. I'm sure she'd be honored.