Abstract
Throughout J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium, opportunities exist for male characters to participate in and learn from the wisdom and experience offered by female characters: what is remarkable is how often they fail to do so. The consequences of this failure are often considerable, ranging from a failed marriage (Aldarion and Erendis) to the loss of an entire kingdom (Melian and Thingol). However, on one occasion where a female character, Aredhel, is listened to, she is then severely punished via the narrative. The question must therefore be asked – what is Tolkien telling us about this gendered space of learning?
Recommended Citation
Brown, Sara
(2025)
"No One Listens to Melian: When Women Speak and Men Ignore Them in Middle-earth,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 22:
Iss.
1, Article 8.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol22/iss1/8
Included in
Literature in English, British Isles Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Comments
Paper given at the Leeds International Medieval Congress, 2025.