*applaudes* Excellant!

You have to consider when these books were written. I dislike the lack of prominent strong women in LotR as much as any other, but it is quite understandable. Also there are some refences that show that Tolkien thinks women are anything but lacking. His wife for example was the model for most elves, which are generally considered to be everything a human desires to be like.
Arwen a female is a symbol for everything good in that world. There is also Eowyn, who while a prominent side character at best, shows that she is just as strong and capable as any man. I also believe that it was said that elf-women learn to fight, but usually decide against taking up arms, because it seems wrong to take life on one occasion and give it another. This shows a far deeper understanding of what war entails than most characters seem to be capable of in LotR.

roflcopter! and you're totally right. the insane lack of female characters was my biggest problem with LotR. im so fav ing this

Ha! Loved it! You know, C.S. Lewis was friends with J.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis was very misogynistic (anti-female, at least the ones past puberty), so I suppose Tolkien might be misogynistic too... great story! I was laughing so hard!

Yay feminism! That was great, I always love reading your stuff. :)