Daytracer

Published on 2 January 2014 | Short Story | Author's Choice | Gift Story 

After the Darkening of Valinor, the Aulendur struggle to find a way to bear aloft the final fruit and flower of the Two Trees. Nerdanel finds a unexpected ally in Arien, who helps her discover the secret knowledge that will return the world to light.

This work is part of the collection Felakverse.

The Inequality Prototype: Gender, Inequality, and the Valar in Tolkien’s Silmarillion

Published on 8 July 2018 | Essay

The Valar present an interesting case study of sexism in Tolkien's legendarium because they occupy a prototypical role, representing Iluvatar's intentions on how the universe should operate. My research shows that the female Valar not only appear far less frequently in The Silmarillion than the male Valar but are less involved, less assertive, and speak less.