Eowyn as Healer

The Character Eowyn in the Lord of the Rings has always been a topic of great discussion. Questions have been mostly centered around her slaying of the dragon and her choice of becoming a healer. Some may say that Tolkien downgraded her for assigning her the role of a “nurse” instead of staying in battlefield as the woman fighter she has been. However, the act of healing holds immense power of its own, but unleashes in a different way.

Themes of healing and restoration have been shown in many places of Tolkien’s world. First, Aragorn has proven himself to be the king by showing healing powers, since the hands of the king are the hands of the healer. His arrival in Gondor saves the people and the White Tree also, which withers but thrives after the war. The restoration taken place in his city demonstrates that Aragorn has the ability of a gardener and a healer, setting things into place, in a wider sense. 

The Three Rings, Nenya, Vilya, and Narya, as comparison to the One Ring, have the power of rehabilitation, instead of domination or seduction of one’s mind. When Elrond describes them, he says that “those who made them did not desire strength or dominion or hoarded wealth, but understanding, making. and healing, to preserve all things unstained.” The Three Rings reflect the mind of their maker, Celebrimbor, who, as the heir and last in line of the House of Feanor, the ruler of Eregion, desires to seek a glimpse of hope in the Second Age and to preserve the lands of the elves remained. The Three Rings are never possessed by Sauron and are uncorrupted. Celebrimbor has also made an Elfstone, which is later given to Aragorn. It may symbolizes the friendship and trust between men and elves, and of hope, which is passed down through this elven gem.

Healing has been associated with care and pity. The healers cure the bodily wounds of their patients, and often they cure them in ways more spiritually. Gandalf talks about the Pity and Mercy of Bilbo to Frodo, and believes that he has been rewarded, since “he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end.” 

Nienna, as a queen of the Valar, is acquainted with grief and mourning, but also pity and courage.  Her tears may bring healing and she has cried for the destruction of the Two Trees, but cannot heal their wounds. It is said that Gandalf has been her greatest pupil and learned many things from her, such as pity.

Together, those examples illustrates that healing and pity are often associated with each other, and they lead to hope, even though sometimes hope seems to be thin. Celebrimbor was tortured and killed by Sauron in a cruel fashion and his lands were lost. But the Three Rings are never found by the enemy, and they have shown their use in the long years of the Third Age. They help Rivendell and Lothlorien to remain hidden, and aid their bearers, such as Gandalf, in war. Aragon, who possesses Celebrimbor’s Elfston, is both a king and a healer. Nienna, who is a substantial symbol of pity and healing, teaches Gandalf that killing is not the only way to fight evil. 

Eowyn may be inspired to think in similar ways. Her change in role is not shown so abruptly as many readers would think. Before the arrival of Gandalf and his companions in the hall of Theoden, Eowyn watches in despair the decay of Theodon, the death of Theodred, and Wormtongue’s poisonous influences. Eowyn is described to be fair, “fair and cold”, when Aragon first sees her, in which warmth is lacking. But out of love and duty she stays to care for her uncle even though Wormtongue is implied to have a desire for her. Her love for the King and uncle, for Rohan, has always been a motivation for her, before battle, on battle, and after. She and Meriadoc face inrecognition when they ride to fight, since they are both rejected by the King. The pair’s motivation is also similar, they both holds love for King Theoden and their people, and fight not for dominion nor revenge, but for love and duty.  

In the House of Healing, Faramir expresses his love for her and says that “do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart.” Eowyn transforms from a shieldmaiden who remarks that she does not heal to a healer, “and love all things that grow and are not barren.” In this sense, her love also “grows”, first from loving her kindred and people, to a wider love that encompasses all growing livings. From the war, she begets an appreciation of the living things, restores and loves, since she wishes to be loved, not pitied. Faramir also promises that he does not offer his pity, but love.

The power of healing is a gentle gift for those who have love in their heart and not darkened by the war with Sauron, who left many things destroyed and families apart. When people questions whether Eowyn has been degraded, they neglects the overall theme of the trilogy and the fact that she also fights, just like Celebrimbor or Gandalf, and slays the monster, an accomplishment men have not achieved. The duality behind these three characters does not reduce them, but heightens their abilities and helps to complete their character arc.

        --J.X