Inspirations behind Goldberry

For Lembas, I wrote a short article about the mythical and folkloric backgrounds of J.R.R. Tolkien’s water nymph Goldberry. This weblog contains an English translation.

Goldberry is a key character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic novel The Lord of the Rings. She is introduced as the wife of Tom Bombadil and plays a crucial role in the story of the hobbits’ journey to Mordor. In The Lord of the Rings, she is described as a “river-daughter”. She is particularly beautiful – “Botticelli-like” according to Katherine Hesser – and gentle, with a billowing dress. At the first meeting, her dress is green, and thus Goldberry reflects the Ainur, especially the Vala Yavanna, who also have blonde long hair and wear green dresses. On the second day, however, Goldberry’s dress is silver. She is the wife of Tom Bombadil, the master of the Old Forest, who names her as the daughter of the River Woman. She is a spirit of nature and is often associated with water and the river. Kind and hospitable, Goldberry acts as a guide and mentor to the hobbits on their journey.

In his poem “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil”, published in Oxford magazine in 1933, Tolkien tells how Goldberry and Tom originally met. Despite this additional explanation, Goldberry remains a mysterious and enigmatic character for many readers. Her role in the story is difficult to interpret partly because of this. Some readers have suggested that Goldberry represents the natural world and its connection to the divine (Shippey, 2002). Others argue that she is a symbol of the inherent goodness of nature, and that her presence in the story serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the natural world (Carpenter, 1977). Because of these elements, Goldberry also shows parallels with the Greek goddess Persephone – who lived with the seasons – and with the Irish heroine Étaín – who is sometimes seen as a sun goddess. But her function in the narrative is different and so is her symbolism. Goldberry is a source of comfort and hospitality for the hobbits, and she helps them reconnect with the natural world. In particular, Goldberry’s song, which she sings to the hobbits as they rest in Tom Bombadil’s house, is a powerful reminder of the beauty and mystery of the natural world (Tolkien, 1954).

According to literary scholar Isabelle Pantin (1999), the passage about Goldberry in The Lord of the Rings resonates with a section from George MacDonald’s The Golden Key (1867). In it, the heroine, Tangle, after she is nearly suffocated by a tree and thinks she is being chased by Goldberry’s bears, is taken in by a kindly old lady dressed in the clothes of a mermaid and with a basin full of fish. Pantin notes that Goldberry herself is somewhat reminiscent of Goldilocks’ character: she has a similar haircut and her house seems as comfortable as that of the bears. So it could be that this fairy tale inspired Tolkien.

One of the most interesting aspects of Goldberry’s character is the contrast between her appearance and her true nature. On the surface, she is a beautiful and gentle creature, with long golden hair and a soothing voice. But as readers and hobbits soon discover, Goldberry is also a powerful personality, capable of defending herself and those she cares about. She is probably immortal and a force of nature, with power over water, as her song could bring rain, and over the seasons in the river area where she lived. It is interesting how often the hobbits in Tom’s house are told that they need not fear anything and need not worry about night noises . They are absolutely safe with Tom and Goldberry – no Nazgûl would dare go near there!

The contrast between her soft exterior and her strong inner strength can be read as a metaphor for the importance of not judging others by their appearance (Carpenter, 1977). Goldberry can also heal the hobbits’ mental wounds, and is able to restore their strength and vitality. In short, she is a complex and important figure in The Lord of the Rings. To further unravel her narrative function(s), her story is briefly analysed below using narrative theory.

Goldberry’s narrative functions

Narrative theory provides a framework for understanding Goldberry’s function and meaning in narrative. According to this approach, characters serve as “narrative agents” who drive the action of the story and influence its outcome. In Goldberry’s case, she acts as a guide and mentor to the hobbits, helping them better understand the world and their place in it.

One of the most important aspects of Goldberry’s character is her connection to nature, and thus to Tolkien’s vision of the pastoral. She is described as the “daughter of the river”, indicating her close relationship with the river that flows near her home. She is also associated with the “golden brown” colour of the leaves and the “singing” of the birds, further emphasising her connection to nature. This connection with nature is also reflected in her actions and interactions with the hobbits, helping them to understand the dangers of nature and find the right way. For example, when they are lost in the Old Forest, Tom and Goldberry – the man of earth and the woman of water – together lead them back to their path. Goldberry also provides the hobbits with food and shelter and helps them understand the meaning of nature.

In summary, as Tom’s equal partner, Goldberry plays an important role in the narrative structure of The Lord of the Rings. She acts as a guide and mentor to the hobbits, helping them understand the beauty and meaning of the natural world and overcome the dangers on their journey. Her connection to nature and her actions reflect her role as a narrative agent who influences the course of the story. In addition, her characterisation can be read as foreshadowing Galadriel – both are similarly beautiful, of regal allure, living in an isolated area and associated with water. (The Mirror of Galadriel was filled with water, as was the Phial of Galadriel, and her ring was Nenya, the ring of water).

Jenny Greenteeth

As has long been noted by other academics – such as Tom Shippey – the character Goldberry bears strong similarities to water spirits from traditional English folklore, such as Jenny Greenteeth. She is often described as a water witch or river spirit, and is associated with drowning (a major theme in English folklore, also reflected, for example, in the 14th-century song “The Maid of the Moor”). Therefore, Jenny Greenteeth is often seen, described and depicted as an evil and dangerous creature. So therein lies directly the main difference. For although Goldberry and Jenny Greenteeth are both associated with rivers and water, their portrayals and roles in their respective stories are very different. Goldberry is depicted as a kind and caring figure, while Jenny Greenteeth is depicted as an evil and dangerous creature. (Perhaps she was not originally so, but changed under the influence of Christianity).

Using these two characterisations – of Goldberry vs Jenny Greenteeth – we can see how different cultural and literary contexts influence the way characters are portrayed. As described above, Goldberry is a symbol of nature and the natural world, and her relationship with Tom Bombadil and the hobbits is one of hospitality and nurturing. She is a protective figure, and her presence brings peace and comfort to those who meet her. Jenny Greenteeth, on the other hand, is often depicted as an evil and dangerous figure, associated with drowning and death. She is feared and shunned by those who live near the rivers and streams where she is said to reside.

One possible explanation for the different portraits of these two characters is their respective cultural contexts. Goldberry, a fictional character created by Tolkien, is portrayed with his own cultural and literary influences. Jenny Greenteeth, on the other hand, is a character from English folklore, and her portrayal reflects the beliefs and fears of all the people who created and shared her stories. The different portraits of these two characters show how cultural and literary contexts greatly influence the way characters are portrayed.

Peg Powler

I can say the same about the comparison between Goldberry and Peg Powler – another evil water spirit associated with the River Tees in northern England. Peg Powler is described as a woman with a green appearance and long, tangled hair, who attacks children who get too close to the water. While Goldberry is a beneficent spirit associated with fertility and abundance, Jenny Greenteeth and Peg Powler are evil spirits associated with death and destruction. They are only there to frighten the protagonists – and thus the listeners and readers. Goldberry is a gentle and caring mother figure while Jenny Greenteeth and Peg Powler are cruel and evil monsters. When it comes to looks, Goldberry is beautiful and radiant while Jenny Greenteeth and Peg Powler are grotesque and terrifying. Goldberry is linked to the natural beauty of the River Withywindle, while Jenny Greenteeth and Peg Powler are linked to the dark and murky depths of the rivers and streams where they appear. Unlike Goldberry, who has a supporting role, Jenny Greenteeth and Peg Powler have no positive function in the stories in which they appear.

The Biblical Eve

Another comparison often made is that of Goldberry to the first woman in the Bible: Eve. Ann McCauley Basso (2008), for example, considers Goldberry as an Eve-like figure, and shows how Tom and Goldberry’s relationship provides a paradigm for an ideal marriage. Goldberry and Eve are both associated with nature and the natural world, and seen as figures of beauty, wisdom and healing power. Yet there are also significant differences between the two characters. Goldberry is a more active and powerful figure than Eve, as she is able to exert control over nature and perform magical feats. Eve, on the other hand, is depicted as a passive figure, being seduced and tricked by the serpent. Another important difference is that Goldberry is connected to the natural world, while Eve is connected to the human world. Goldberry is a spirit of the river and the forest, while Eve is a human, created by God to be the mother of humanity.

Kalevala

Another story that ties in with Goldberry’s tale can be found in the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. The Kalevala contains a story about Väinämöinen, a powerful and wise shaman who possesses magical powers and abilities. In the story, Väinämöinen falls in love with the beautiful young woman Aino, the daughter of a rich and influential man. Aino hesitates to marry Väinämöinen because she thinks he is too old and fears losing her freedom and independence. In the most famous version of the story, Aino has a brother, named Joukahainen. Joukahainen had lost a singing contest to the famous Väinämöinen and promised Aino’s “hands and feet” in marriage if Väinämöinen would save him from drowning in the swamp into which Joukahainen had been thrown. Aino’s mother was thrilled at the idea of marrying off her daughter to such a famous and wealthy person, but Aino did not want to marry such an old man. She drowned (in some versions deliberately, in others as an accident) and came back as a perch. In all the stories, Aino has a strong connection with water.

In the story of The Lord of the Rings, Goldberry and Bombadil serve as similar characters to Väinämöinen and Aino in the Kalevala. Like Väinämöinen, Bombadil is a powerful and wise being who possesses magical powers and abilities, and can protect and guide the hobbits on their journey. Similarly, Goldberry is a beautiful and mysterious woman who initially hesitates to marry Bombadil, but eventually agrees to the marriage after he promises to take care of her and protect her. Moreover, both Väinämöinen and Bombadil are closely connected to the natural world, and can communicate with and control the elements of nature. In the Kalevala, Väinämöinen is able to chant the world and control the natural elements with his powerful magic. Similarly, Bombadil is able to control the nature around him and summon the wind and rain with his songs and spells.

Overall, the themes of hospitality, generosity and the power of nature are important in both the Kalevala and The Lord of the Rings, and the characters – Väinämöinen and Aino vs Bombadil and Goldberry – reflect these themes in their respective stories.

Reflections and conclusions

In The Lord of the Rings, Goldberry primarily serves as a guide and mentor to the hobbits. She is described as a beautiful and gentle woman with long golden hair. In The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, she lives in the River Woman’s house by the River Withywindle, and in The Lord of the Rings in Tom’s house. Goldberry’s role in the story is to offer hospitality and guidance to the hobbits, help them overcome their fears and doubts, and prepare them for their journey to Mordor.

As a nature spirit, Goldberry does bear some resemblance to Jenny Greenteeth and Peg Powler, two mythical creatures from English folklore. Like Goldberry, Jenny and Peg are creatures that live in water. But where they are associated with an evil disposition – they want to lure people into the water and drown them – Goldberry is a kind and benevolent creature, helping the hobbits on their journey. Compared to other mythical figures, Goldberry bears more resemblance to the biblical Eve. Like Eve, Goldberry is a nurturing and caring figure, providing food and shelter to the hobbits, and helping them overcome their challenges. But even this comparison backfires, because where Eve is associated with temptation and sin, Goldberry is a purely benevolent character. Another possible inspiration is the character of Väinämöinen’s fiancée Aino from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala (although the similarity stops if we assume the versions in which Aino drowns herself out of grief).

From a narrative perspective, Goldberry’s role in The Lord of the Rings can be seen as similar to the function of the story of Väinämöinen and Aino in the Kalevala, namely as representing the virtues of hospitality and generosity. Goldberry serves as a guide and mentor to the hobbits, helping them overcome their fears and doubts, and preparing them for their journey to Mordor.

Hospitality and generosity play an important role in the story of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. In the world of Middle-earth, hospitality is a sacred duty, and those who do not offer it to those in need are considered dishonourable and disgraceful. This is evident in the actions of characters like Tom Bombadil and Goldberry, who all offer shelter and food to the hobbits and other travellers who knock at their door.

In the case of Goldberry, Tom Bombadil’s wife, her hospitality is seen as a representation of the natural world and its abundance. She is described as a beautiful and ethereal figure, who is both guide and mentor to the hobbits. She offers them food, drink and shelter, and teaches them about the ways of the forest and the river. Galadriel, already briefly mentioned earlier, and Faramir (the steward of Gondor after the War of the Ring) also embody the virtues of hospitality and generosity. Faramir offers the hobbits shelter and food, and shows them kindness and respect, even though they are strangers to him and he is in the middle of a war with Sauron.

Thus, Goldberry represents the strength and beauty of the natural world, and her actions reflect the importance of the virtues of kindness, generosity and hospitality in facing life’s challenges.

With many thanks to Nathalie Kuijpers and Chiara Marchetti.

References

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