Elmar, Aerin, and Aredhel: Female Enslavement in Tolkien’s Legendarium

Authors

Clare Moore, University of GlasgowFollow

Abstract

Argues that Elmar, Aerin, and Aredhel’s narratives convey experiences of female enslavement. Understanding these characters as enslaved reveals the violent nature of their experiences, necessitating an interpretation of their relationships with their husbands/enslavers as sexual assault. Their narratives reveal patterns within the legendarium connecting beauty and violence. However, these three stories also demonstrate Tolkien’s interest in portraying this kind of story and its value to the legendarium. These narratives offer a unique female perspective on loss and lived experience within the legendarium.

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Erratum

On page 155, for the entry on the chart listed under the name Thomas Hillman, the quote in the Characterization column should read 'Not "wholly unwilling," citing Tolkien.' We apologize for the error.