Characters:
Dís, Daughter of Thráin II
Gimli
Dwarf-women
Dís was the daughter of Thráin II. She is the only Dwarf-woman named in these
histories. It was said by Gimli that there are few Dwarf-women, probably no
more than a third of the whole people, they seldom walk abroad except at great
need. They are in voice and appearance, and in garb if they must go on a
journey, so like to the Dwarf-men that the eyes and ears of other peoples
cannot tell them apart. This has given rise to the foolish opinion among men
that there are no Dwarf-women, and that the Dwarves ‘grow out of stone’.
It is because of the fewness of women among them that the kind of the Dwarves
increases slowly, and is in peril when they have not secure dwelling. For
Dwarves take only one wife or husband each in their lives, and are jealous, as
in all matters of their rights. The number of Dwarf-men that marry is actually
less than one-third. For not all the women take husbands: some desire none;
some desire one that they cannot get, and so will have no other. As for the
men, very many also do not desire marriage, being engrossed in their crafts.
Questions:
1. Dwarf Women: Why did they have so few women? Was it the same in most
Dwarf communities?
2. Only Dwarf-woman Named: Why would only one be named? Why name one at all?
3. Walk Abroad: Any speculation on why Dwarf-women would seldom walk abroad?
4. Like to the Dwarf-men: "They are in voice and appearance, and in garb if
they must go on a journey, so like to the Dwarf-men that the eyes and ears of
other peoples cannot tell them apart". Do they disguise themselves as dwarf-men
when they travel? Might this be a safety issue?
5. "It’s the Beards!": Do Dwarf-women have beards? How do you know?
6. Contribute to any Story: What would you like to see Dwarf-women doing in
action? What do you think they could contribute to any story?
7. In Peril: because of the fewness of women among them that the kind of the
Dwarves increases slowly, and is in peril when they have not secure dwelling"
So how much in peril were Durin’s Folk over the past generations? Was it
getting serious? Does that put Thorin’s Quest for Erebor in a new light? Then,
they seemed pretty secure at Ered Lhûn. But then, isn’t it a good thing for ME
that he did!
8. Some Desire None: "For not all the women take husbands: some desire none;
some desire one that they cannot get, and so will have no other. As for the
men, very many also do not desire marriage, being engrossed in their crafts."
No questions: Open for thoughts!
Please feel free to contribute any thoughts or questions of your own, that
makes it lively.
Reference:
Links:
1. Dís
2. Dwarf
Women (Google Search)
3. Baby
Beards Green Books: about Dwarf women and
beards.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Mightier than Estë is Nienna, sister of Fëanturi; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda suffered in the marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began. But she does not weep for herself; and those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope. . . . All those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom.
Valaquenta
