Posted: April 19, 2000 at 15:03:26: by Dave aka Don Quixote
: : Could it be that our interpretations of Elf-Dwarf relations (and perhaps other "inter-race" relations in ME) are shaped more than we know by our living in the 21st century in the United States or Europe (as it seems most of us do), where various issues of racism in the modern sense form some of the background of our basic experience? :
: No, certainly not, again I say - the elves were certainly pregidous, one need only to look at Thingol's remarks to ascertain this (Not to mention Gimli's treatment at the entrance to Lorien)- why complicate it? Gimli's 'treatment' entering Lorien was by a border guard following orders which were outdated, not the actions of a whole race.
Aragorn was the heir to M-E and the betrothed of G and C's Grandaughter, Boromir the heir to the stewardship of Gondor, Legolas a kinsman, the hobbits no threat and one the ringbearer. Gimli is an unknown quantity to the Border Guard Haldir, and his actions are completely understandable. Dwarvish nibbling in Moria unleashed the Balrog and caused indirectly the death of Amroth and the disappearance of Nimrodel, its not surprising that Haldir wanted him blindfolded. This is an isolated elf protected kingdom and does not reflect the worldview of elves v dwarves. Thranduil locked up trespassers, and there is NO, repeat NO enmity between Elves and Dwarves on a worldwide scale, only localised like any differences. Azaghal of Belegost fought very bravely with the Elves in the first age against Glaurung for one example.
Don Q
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