You know, lots of people have written about women in the fantasy genre. Most probably better than I can. But I’m going to give it a go anyways.
Fantasy has a problem with women.
The grandfatherly books that defined the fantasy genre, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, are, unfortunately, the worst offenders.
The Hobbit does not have a female character. I don’t mean a female character with a speaking role. I mean there are NO females who are so much as seen in the book (other than a few townspeople mentioned in passing).
The Lord of the Rings does slightly better by having Eowyn and, unforgettably, Galadriel, but no one else of agency. No women in the fellowship. The story’s protagonist is either Frodo or Aragorn, depending on your point of view.
Of these women, much of Eowyn’s character development happens through Aragorn’s rejection of her affection, and the growth of her love for Faramir instead. (Realize I said development—she has more character than this, but this is the great change that happens to her as a character).
Arwen says almost nothing, and does nothing for the story except marry Aragorn at the end. She is, quite literally, the prize he earns for winning. There is also Ioreth, who gabs on and on in the Houses of Healing, prompting Gandalf to tell…
