Previously in my series analyzing Éowyn in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings in light of historical counterparts, I discussed the experiences of women soldiers. Click [HERE] for that post. In this part, I will share a few examples of how men reacted to women fighting on a battlefield.
Victorian women went to great lengths to disguise themselves in order to serve in the military, an endeavor that was off limits to them. They cut their hair short in order to assume a male appearance They enlisted under male names. And they imitated male mannerisms as well as engaged in masculine interests in order to fit in with their male comrades. Yet, despite the care some of these women put into developing and maintaining their disguise, many nevertheless fell victims to the poor fortunes of war — along with other means — which exposed their true identities. Men privy to this revelation always exhibited some sort of reaction, which varied Some were sympathetic. Some were complimentary. Yet others did not hesitate to voice their opposition to women stepping outside their traditional gender roles and serving on the battlefield.
