ruth19sworld

[ruth19sworld]

Eowyn and Romance

Something I truly appreciate about Eowyn is that she, from the start, a romantic being, and (although not explicitly so) a sexual one, as in she obviously feels both romantic and sexual desires.

Often the rebellious female lead will chafe at the prospect of marriage, only to change her mind when the "right man" comes along. I tire of this narrative, not because I begrudge female characters who dislike the idea of romance and marriage and sees hem as the antithesis to freedom, but because I loathe the narrative of them "learning a lesson" and "mending their ways".

Marriage and romance, when both are unwanted, are a denial of freedom and autonomy, and in patriarchal societies where wife is subservient to husband, particularly so.

Eowyn however associates romantic love and marriage not to a lack of freedom, but an escape to it. And this makes sense when we consider the cage that Eowyn is kept in.

Eowyn already takes on the "domestic" burden of the wife, running her uncle's household and acting as his nurse. As his niece, his adopted daughter and his subject, Eowyn is in a position of utter subservience to him. Yet as his nurse, he is dependant upon her.

This does not balance out their relationship and result in some sort of equality, it means that Eowyn has to endure all the submission of being a dependant, without the relief from obligations or duties, and all the labours and responsibilities of being a provider, without any of the authority or power.

Although Eowyn is mistress of the hall, she is not mistress of her own hall. She is not a queen, and if Theodred, later Eomer, were to wed, her rank as leading lady would be supplanted.

As Theoden's nurse, she is also carrying the burden of being the family caretaker in the family, tending to Theoden's needs, and also stifling her own unhappiness before her family in order to fulfil her duty. Emotionally she is trapped, stuck by tending to the feelings of others, as much as she is physically.

All of this has resulted in Meduseld becoming a cage for Eowyn.

To be married would be to take her away from Meduseld. To be married would be to lift her from an estate she finds demeaning. To be married would be to be mistress of her own home.

And when we look at the men she is attracted to, and the qualities that attract her, we see how different the sort of love and relationship she hopes to have are to the one she has with Theoden.

Aragorn and Faramir are strong, and powerful in a way that Theoden has not been. Eowyn's sense of identity has been tied up in Theoden, so Theoden's infirmity and, by her understanding, his "shame" has become her own, helped along by Grima's manipulation. On a more practical level, Theoden's dependency on her is extremely limiting to her own freedom and opportunities.

Eowyn is immediately attracted to Aragorn because of his power, and Faramir's strength of a warrior is one of the first things she notices about him. To be joined in a union with them would be to be associated with their power. To be married to them would be to have a function and existence beyond that off dry nurse.

While Aragorn and Faramir are noted to be fierce warriors, they're gentle too, Faramir in particular is defined more by gentleness than he is warrior prowess. He is a warrior by necessity, a nurturer by nature. As the assigned caretaker of her family, to be married to someone who would take equal (if not outright greater) responsibility for both of their physical and emotional welfare is pivotal for Eowyn to gain her freedom.

Whereas marriage is often seen as the alternative to ambition, romance an alternative to fighting, when Eowyn offers her love to Aragorn, acceptance would not have taken the form of marriage, but of joining him on his ride to the Paths of the Dead. For Eowyn, to be a warrior is to be free, and her vision of life with Aragorn is that of two warriors, side by side. That is how she envisions marriage.

Although post war Eowyn turns towards healing as opposed to slaying, Faramir acknowledges Eowyn as a warrior, and celebrates her for her deeds and her valour. And while Eowyn no longer wishes to be a shieldmaiden, taking joy "only" in the songs of slaying (that "only" suggesting that she will still take joy in them, and will maintain a part of her shieldmaiden identity), the desire to heal, to grow things, is a wish shared with Faramir, and when they embark on that journey, it's one they do as equals.

Eowyn has been pigeonholed into the role of family caretaker, and her family sees her entirely through that lens. As a result, they not only fail to see her true desires and ambitions, they not only fail to acknowledge her as a warrior, but they also fail to fully appreciate that she needs care, emotional care, in turn.

It is Eowyn's duty to give care, not receive it. It is Eowyn's duty to facilitate their deeds, not achieve her own. It is Eowyn's duty to celebrate their feats, not be celebrated in turn.

And Eowyn performs this role, she allows them to maintain this view of herself by internalising her unhappiness, her frustration and despair, because she sees it as a her duty to do so.

She finally drops the performance in front of Aragorn, and reveals to him just how as despairing she is. Aragorn does not fail to see beyond Eowyn's mask, and in his speech in the Houses of Healing shows he acknowledges both her suffering and her courage, but he does not free her.

He instructs her to resume the performance, and to try to content herself with one more doing all the labours that no one remembers, the valour that goes without renown.

Faramir meets Eowyn, and he sees she is wounded, she is sorrowful, he sees she is proud, he sees she is beautiful, he sees she is a maiden, "young and sad".

When Faramir is falling in love with Eowyn, he notices she looks "queenly", suitable for one whose deeds have put her, in Aragorn's words, on an even standing with the queens of old.

When Faramir asks Eowyn to marry him, he tells her he does not pity her, because she is a "lady high and valiant" and has performed deeds that will not be forgotten.

When Eowyn says she wishes to become a healer, and love all things that grow, Faramir eagerly agrees, and says, if she wills it, they will go to Ithilien and grow a garden there, and all things will grow with joy in Eowyn's presence.

Faramir sees all aspects of Eowyn. Eowyn the sorrowful. Eowyn the beautiful. Eowyn the queen. Eowyn the valiant. Eowyn the legend. Eowyn the healer. Eowyn the gardener.

Faramir sees all these parts of Eowyn, and one is not diminished by the other. Her valour isn't compromised by her vulnerability. Her need for care isn't compromised by her ability to lead.

This is reciprocated on Eowyn's part. Beregond bemoans that people fail to appreciate Faramir's capabilities as a warrior, because he is b nature more of a scholar and a nurturer. Eowyn immediately notices Faramir's strength and his gentleness, she is able to see the multitudes in him that she wishes to have seen in her.

It is notable she meets Faramir at a time when both of them are injured. Faramir is in a place of vulnerability as Theoden was, but Faramir is under the care of the healers. Eowyn's company helps to heal him, he wishes her to walk with him because he thinks it will be a comfort to be with her, but the bulk of his care is shared out by trained healers, for whom treating the sick is a profession, a calling perhaps, but not a familial duty that defines every facet of their existence.

Eowyn does not choose to be with Faramir in the place of choosing freedom. She chooses Faramir because the love he offers, the understanding he offers, the capabilities he possesses, will free her, in a way that Eowyn has been desiring and longing for.

[ruth19sworld]

There's a bit of a role reversal with Faramir and Eowyn, in terms of how their narratives include tropes and plot points that are often traditionally applied to characters of the other sex.

Eowyn goes to war because she refuses to be left behind to be burned inside the house when the battle is done, as is often the fate of women.

Faramir actually is nearly burned alive at the hands of the patriarch of his family when said patriarch believes the battle is over and hope is lost. While Eowyn is out on the battlefield, fighting, Faramir is stuck inside the home, burning.

Between the two, Eowyn is the one we see go on more of an inner journey. She changes more over the narrative, and has to deal more with her own flaws and personal demons, as well as the injustices inflicted upon her. The climax of her story comes with a great moment of heroism and courage in battle. She is rescued by a hobbit, but as an ally in battle, not as a damsel in distress.

Faramir in the books doesn't feel tempted by the ring, and is almost a paragon of virtue. About as much as a Man in Middle Earth can be. He's closer to Arwen and Galadriel than Eowyn is, in his near perfection, in how he inspires and guides others. He is also rescued by a hobbit, but in that moment he is helpless, a damsel in distress. He is rescued because others love him for his virtue and goodness.

So often it's the other way round. Not only is the woman usually the one trapped inside, in need of rescue, while the man is out there fighting, the woman's heroism traditionally comes from the list of virtues she possesses, while the man's heroism comes from his deeds and the things he accomplishes. The man fights, the woman inspires.

But during the Battle of Pelennor fields, it is Eowyn who fights, and while she does inspire Merry, she inspires him not as a paragorn, but as an example of courage that Merry finds himself compelled to live up to. He is inspired to fight by her side, instead of fighting for her.

Faramir is sick and unconscious. His agency is denied him by his father, who decides on his behalf there's nothing left for him to live for. And it is a rush for the heroes; Pippin and Beregond, to save Faramir, and it is explicitly stated that Beregond only broke the law because he was inspired to do so out of his great love for Faramir, which is shared by all. In that moment, Faramir's role is closer to the traditional fairy tale princess, whose goodness inspires the heroes into fighting for her during her peril.

And afterwards, it is Eowyn who has to fight to find meaning in life again, to choose joy and hope over despair, which Faramir, with his loving kindness, wisdom, and gentleness, inspires her to do.

I love that, and love thinking on how that affected their relationship going forward.

Eowyn must have liked that with Faramir, she's not being married to someone who will require her to take on every aspect of the so called "woman's role" (necessary, but limiting) which has been inflicted on her at her own expense by the men in her life, so they can be free to partake in the "man's role". Perhaps in turn, Eowyn's predisposition for more martial pursuits; even if she has embraced healing and gardening and no longer lives for battle, would also mean she can take on some of the certain necessary duties that Faramir finds taxing.

Between the two, there must have been a more equal division of labour and responsibilities, and therefore more freedom on both sides. Neither one of them fully suits the roles that society has assigned to them due to their gender, and in marrying each other, they no longer have to.

[ruth19sworld]

Y’all are too hard on Éowyn for marrying Faramir as if having a husband will somehow strip her of her individuality.

Have y’all MET Faramir? This is NOT a guy who saw the attractive Princess of Rohan from afar and was like “I want her to be my ball and chain.”

This is the guy who fell in love with her while she was at her lowest, physically and mentally. He fell in love with her when she was beaten, exhausted, weary, wounded, grieving, and depressed. He fell in love with her when he found out what she did on that battlefield. He fell in love with a kindred spirit, the only person who could truly understand him and his own sufferings. He saw her for exactly who she was - someone strong and brave and bold and unconventional and independent - and that is what he loves about her. When he says “you are beautiful,” he is speaking to her soul too, and not just her face.

As her husband, he will only dote on her and seek her opinions on everything. He already treats her as an equal and cultivates her true self; who says he’ll suddenly stop doing that when they’re married? He would rather die than suppress or hold back the powerful mind and spirit that he fell in love with in the Houses of Healing!

If he was like most other men, would she have married him? Heck no! She has standards, and he meets them.

She married the only guy who would ever let her be herself. This girl got it right. She did not settle, and her being with him does not take anything away from her.

[ruth19sworld]

So like, I'm reading Return of the King and Faramir is kind of a total chad. But like, just in a straight talking, no bullshitting kind of way. He's like, Eowyn, not only are you hot, you're awesome, and we should go out, but even if we don't, we should definitely hang out. In this garden of the Houses of Healing. And she's like, Aragorn will never love me and I missed my chance to die in battle, so I guess we can hang out. So they hang out and they both get better, but then he leaves to do his job as Steward of Gondor and she starts getting sick again and Eomer calls Eowyn back to Rohan to prepare for Aragorn's coronation, but she declines. Faramir finds out she's getting sick again, so he goes to see her and he's like, there are only 2 reasons why you're still around and she's like, I do not have the fucking TIME for riddles. Speak plainly. And he's like, either you're staying here because you're avoiding Aragorn's coronation OR you're staying here because...I am here. And I hope it's the second reason. And she's like, uh... I don't have time for Aragorn's pity and I've lost all chance of valor because the war is over. And Faramir is like, uh... actually you killed a ring wraith, so like, you've already won valor? And she's like, oh and I guess you want to tell everyone you tamed a shield maiden of Rohan because you couldn't find a nice Dunedain girlie, and he's like, actually I would literally LOVE to tell people that. Also, Aragorn is the softest guy, so don't look down on his pity because he's got a really big heart and he simply can't help it. And she's like...fine. Deal. And he's like, YOU HEAR THAT, BOYS?! EOWYN'S MOVING OUT OF THE HOUSES OF HEALING CUZ I GOT HER ALL FIXED UP NOW.

1. I like, I HIGHLY identify with Faramir being this matter of fact with a romantic partner.

2. ARAGORN REALLY IS THE SOFTEST GUY. AND NO ONE JUST STRAIGHT UP POINTS THIS OUT BEFORE FARAMIR DOES. BUT IT'S SO TRUE.

[ruth19sworld]

So The Binding eh?

🚨SPOILERS 🚨

Beautiful tragic gay love story in all its beautiful tragic self?

Yup 😙👌

Annnd of course I've already cast everyone in my head if this was turned into an epic BBC mini series.

Emmett

Ben Hardy, we don't really get much of a description of Emmett other than he has sandy brown hair but he's soft and pretty and Ben Hardy in my head.

Lucian

Timothee Chalamet.

I feel this needs no explanation.

Seredith

The wonderful Helen Mirren. So Seredith doesn't have much of a part in the book but what an impression she would make with Helen playing her.

Mr Darnay

Michael Sheen. Can play the villain and the gentleman. I love him but he's shown he can be equal parts charming and sly.

[ruth19sworld]

quotes from Kaz’s POV that make me emotional when i reread because i know things (*cough* his whole backstory *cough*) now:

Ghosts, Kaz thought. A boy’s fear, but it came with absolute surety. Jordie had come for his vengeance at last. It’s time to pay your debts, Kaz. You never get something for nothing.

- Six of Crows, 41.

“This is Councilman Hoede’s house,” Kaz said, skin crawling. He wanted no part of a plague, but the merch and his guards didn’t seem remotely concerned. “I thought this place was under quarantine.”

- Six of Crows, 53.

Van Eck led hun through a door into a manicured garden, thick with the new nectar scene of early crocuses. The smell hit Kaz like a blow to the jaw. Memories of Jordie were already too fresh in his kind, and for a moment, Kaz wasn’t walking through the canal-side garden of a rich merch, he was knee-deep in spring grasses, hot sun beating down on his cheeks, his brother’s voice calling him home.

- Six of Crows, 53-4.

“Brick by brick,” he muttered to himself. They were the only words that kept his rage in check, that prevented him from striding through the Emerald’s garish gold-and-green doors, demanding a private audience with Rollins, and slitting his throat. Brick by brick. It was the promise that let him sleep at night, that drove him everyday, that kept Jordie’s ghost at bay. Because a quick death was too good for Pekka Rollins.

- Six of Crows, 70.

Despite the lies he’d spread and the claims he’d made to Geels tonight, Kaz wasn’t a bastard. He wasn’t even from Ketterdam. He’d been nine and Jordie thirteen when they’d first arrived in the city, a check from their father’s farm seen safely into the inner pocket of Jordie’s old coat. Kaz could see himself as he was then, walking the Stave with dazzled eyes, hand tucked into Jordie’s so he wouldn’t be swept away by the crowd. He hated the boys they’d been, two stupid pigeons waiting to be plucked. But those boys were long gone, and only Pekka Rollins was left to punish.

- Six of Crows, 71.

Kaz knocked his cane gently against Helvar’s jaw. “For every trick you’ve seen, I know a thousand more. You think a year in Hellgate hardened you up? Taught you to fight? Hellgate would have been paradise to me as a child.”

- Six of Crows, 133.

He shouldn’t be this shaken up by a dock brawl, even a shoot-out, but he was. Something in him felt frayed and raw. It was the same feeling he’d had as a boy, in those first desperate days after Jordie’s death.

Say you’re sorry. That was the last thing Inej had said to him. What had she wanted him to apologize him for. There were so many possibilities. A thousand crimes. A thousand stupid jibes.

- Six of Crows, 155-6

Kaz leaned in so that no one else could hear it when he said, “My Wraith would counsel mercy. But thanks to you, she’s not here to plead your case.”

- Six of Crows, 159.

Because I’ve been looking for an excuse to talk to you for two days.

- Six of Crows, 203.

Tell me you know that. He needed her to say it. This job wasn’t like anything he’d attempted before. Every doubt she’d raised was a legitimate one, and only echoed the fears in his own head. He’d snapped at her before they’d left Ketterdam, told her he’d get a new spider for the job if she didn’t think he could pull it off. He needed to know that she believed he could do this, that he could take them into the Ice Court and bring them out feeling whole and righteous the way he’d done with other crews on other jobs. He needed to know she believed in him.

- Six of Crows, 204.

Later, he wasn’t sure why he said it. He’d never told anyone, never spoken the words aloud. But now Kaz kept his eyes on the sails above them and said, “Pekka Rollins killed my brother.”

He didn’t have to see Inej’s face to sense her shock. “You had a brother?”

“I had a lot of things,” he muttered.

“I’m sorry.”

Had he wanted her sympathy? Was that why he’d told her?

- Six of Crows, 204.

there are more but i don’t want to find them right now. :)

[ruth19sworld]

kaz calling jesper jordie hits different when you realize jordie died because of his recklessness with money and that’s also why kaz is so critical of jespers gambling addiction

[ruth19sworld]

this is insane

[ruth19sworld]

It really was a shame that they were all probably going to die tonight. (six of crows, chapter 32)

[ruth19sworld]

Jesper Fahey is a true romantic.

[ruth19sworld]

Jesper is the only person who deserves to be with Wylan, and that’s final. ‘Wy’ yes I think my heart may implode.

[ruth19sworld]

Jesper Fahey is a true romantic.

[ruth19sworld]

STOP WHAT YOURE DOING AND LOOK AT JESPER PROTECTING WYLAN

[ruth19sworld]

[ruth19sworld]

I’m an INFP but I’m not-

I’ve been seeing certain stereotypes being passed about the INFP, and I just want to explain and disprove some stuff

 We don’t always feel stuff on a deeper level. Despite us being the queens and kings of introspection we can sometimes be a little ignorant about how WE feel. We do our best to understand others yet sometimes its incredibly difficult for us to understand ourselves. We end up over thinking our emotions making a big deal over nothing.

We don’t always believe in second chances. An INFP has most likely dealt with someone breaking their trust and it can sometimes be a little difficult for us to trust people completely. 

We’re not all artists and writers. An INFP just wants to end suffering in the best way they can or do their best to help other people. This leads us to purse careers in science fields, counseling or psychology, humanitarian work and teaching.

We’re not emotionally weak. A general stereotype for INFP is that we’re giant cry babies. Yes, sometimes we feel things on a deeper level but we have learned to deal with our emotions due to years of being an INFP.

[ruth19sworld]

Kaz’s reassuring “I know and appreciate what killing means to you” head nod

[ruth19sworld]

NO MOURNERS.

                                                                                                 NO FUNERALS.

KAZ BREKKER, INEJ GHAFA & JESPER FAHEY SHADOW AND BONE (2021– )