“I am no man.” Eowyn, lone female action hero of LOTR . Instead of playing housekeeper and doing what she was told, Eowyn chose instead to help defend her people and her family from destruction. She followed her heart, picked up a sword, and found freedom from the cage of the “duties” of women. Damn good thing too. Who killed the creature no man could harm? That would be a WOMAN .

Tolkien created a character whose heart and soul would die if she denied them. And then, in his infinite Victorian masculine wisdom (insert sarcasm here), had her give it all up and declare it was no longer part of her (since it was unbecoming for women). Funny that, since fighting for those she loved was the core of her being. He got it WRONG . No one who fought so hard to find herself and give meaning to her life would give that up. It was an implausible ending and as far as I’m concerned it didn’t happen. No man, not even the author could make her do that. Eowyn is free by her own doing and that’s why she’s my icon.