I don’t understand Éowyn’s massive appreal to the audience.
Probably because she rejected the patriarcal idea that, being a woman, her role was to take care of people who couldn’t fight. Instead of doing what she was expected to do, she dressed as a male and went on the field to fight for freedom. And she killed the Witch King.
And you have to admit that her “I am no man” scene was b a d a s s.
I’m all for women being badasses and taking on the world. And that scene was completely badass. But I can’t help shake the feeling that she abandoned her people.
Sometimes someone needs to suck it up and do the less glamorous thing. The people of Rohan needed a leader, someone to look after them and make sure that nothing happened to them. Eowyn was the most qualified and most capable of doing this. She had a duty to her people, as a shieldmaiden of Rohan, to do the right thing and make sure her country didn’t fall into chaos while the king was away.
Her choice to go with Theoden may have been badass, but it was also selfish. She chose her own needs and desires over that of her people’s. And so while she did show that women could kick ass and take names as much or more than men (and everything worked out and happily ever after and ladeeda), she did it because she was selfish. She wanted glory. She wanted honor. It was a self-serving move. And as the niece of the king, she should be serving the public good, not herself.
Sorry for the downer on this lovely afternoon. This has just always bothered me.
(via freetobeyouandme)
