Éowyn vs. the Nazgûl: Love as a Battle
Jul. 5th, 2013 12:22 pm-For ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
attackfish's mother and the countless other parents, spouses, children, family, and friends who have the scars to show for love.
I mentioned before in a post about the nature of heroism that Éowyn's battle against the Witch-king of Angmar reads to me like a metaphor for taking care of a loved one in need. I decided to elaborate on that after talking to attackfish about her own mother's struggles in caring for her ailing daughter and son.
( This book is like a zillion years old and I will not insert spoiler warnings )
Who will care for the caretaker? She may fell the Nazgûl with the strength of her steadfast courage, but win or lose she is left with battle wounds that need tending. Her friends and allies can help with their support, both physical and moral. The greatest gift we can give from our position outside the battle and looking in, however, may be our willingness to acknowledge our own ignorance of what she has been through. and our humility in listening to her--her feelings, her suffering, her experiences. It's the least we can offer our hero: If she can stand against the monster at risk to her body and spirit, can't we muster the courage to face the reality of her hurts?
attackfish's mother and the countless other parents, spouses, children, family, and friends who have the scars to show for love.I mentioned before in a post about the nature of heroism that Éowyn's battle against the Witch-king of Angmar reads to me like a metaphor for taking care of a loved one in need. I decided to elaborate on that after talking to attackfish about her own mother's struggles in caring for her ailing daughter and son.
( This book is like a zillion years old and I will not insert spoiler warnings )
Who will care for the caretaker? She may fell the Nazgûl with the strength of her steadfast courage, but win or lose she is left with battle wounds that need tending. Her friends and allies can help with their support, both physical and moral. The greatest gift we can give from our position outside the battle and looking in, however, may be our willingness to acknowledge our own ignorance of what she has been through. and our humility in listening to her--her feelings, her suffering, her experiences. It's the least we can offer our hero: If she can stand against the monster at risk to her body and spirit, can't we muster the courage to face the reality of her hurts?
