July 23, 2002

Against Arwen
Trowie

In response to Joe's question about why those on this board dislike Arwen in the movie FotR:

I personally dislike Arwen because she usurps parts that belong to other characters, and I don't just mean poor neglected Glorfindel. Examples:

Frodo's big defiant moment in the book occurs at the ford just before he gets to Rivendell on the elf-horse. With his last strength (and with a nasty evil wound in his shoulder), he defies the assembled Nazgul and swears that they shall not take the ring or him. This is actually important, as it establishes Frodo as something more than baggage with an all-powerful ring attached; he has strength to defy the second-worst creatures in Middle-earth. In the movie, Frodo is busy being greenish, useless, and flopping around on the horse while Arwen shows off. Also, in the book, the flood is part of Rivendell's defense system, with a few extra touches thrown in by Gandalf. Movie Arwen seems to call the flood up herself, making her seem much more powerful than she actually is. This whole thing robs Frodo of a chance to do something more than running away, getting hit, carried, protected, etc. Also, her line at the ford "If you want him, come and claim him" was awfully unpoetic for such a dangerous situation: it sounded like a schoolyard taunt. Elves don't taunt! It's undignified.

Movie Arwen is also, if not actually moronic, at least naive. She declares that she isn't afraid of the nine ringwraiths who are in hot pursuit of Frodo and the Ring. Hah! Here are these nine horrible, second-most powerful creatures who even apparently frighten Aragorn, and Arwen isn't afraid. Absence of fear in the face of terrible danger is not courage but stupidity, or at least naivety.

Even book-Arwen isn't my favorite at all. So much is made of her forsaking her immortal life to live with Aragorn, but she ends up regretting it once he's old and dying. The only thing that stops her from going back on her vow is the fact that all the ships are gone, so she goes and mopes around in the remains of Lothlorien until she dies. Harly admirable, in my opinion.

Well, that's my two cents. And yes, I'm new to this board, but not to Tolkien at all. Hello all!