Goldberry

[This analysis is the second in a series that examines the portrayal of female characters in The Fellowship of the Ring.] 

Frodo and his hobbit companions visited the House of Tom Bombadil on their way to Rivendell.

Tom’s home was an oasis of food, rest, and merriment during their dangerous journey.

During their stay, Frodo and his friends spent time with Tom Bombadil and his wife, Goldberry.

Tom and Goldberry’s marital status isn’t specified in The Fellowship of the Ring.

But it is confirmed in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, a collection of poems written by J.R.R. Tolkien, which can be found in Tales from the Perilous Realm, a book which features several of Tolkien’s lesser-known works. 

It isn’t clear which fantasy race Tom or Goldberry belong to.

Goldberry described Tom as the “Master of wood, water, and hill.” 

Both Tom and Goldberry referred to Goldberry as “River-daughter.”

“Five Great Tom Bombadil Theories,” a wonderful video from the YouTube channel “Nerd of the Rings,” examines several fan theories about the background and origin of Tom Bombadil.

Our focus today, however, is Tom’s wife Goldberry, a joyful woman who regularly broke into song and lived happily with her husband surrounded by the beauty of the natural world. 

 

Music 

When the hobbits arrived at Tom and Goldberry’s home, Goldberry welcomed them with a song.

“Then another clear voice, as young and as ancient as Spring, like the song of a glad water flowing down into the night from a bright morning in the hills, came falling like silver to meet them:

Now let the song begin! Let us sing together

Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,

Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,

Wind on the open hill, bells on the heather,

Reeds by the shady pool, lilies on the water:

Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter!

And with that song, the hobbits stood upon the threshold, and a golden light was all about them.” (The Fellowship, Book One, Chapter 6)

 

Soon after meeting Goldberry, Frodo himself broke into song. The hospitality of Tom and Goldberry inspired happiness among their guests.  

 

“’Fair lady Goldberry!’ He said again. Now the joy that was hidden in the songs we heard is made plain to me.

O slender as a willow-wand! O clearer than clear water!

O reed by the living pool! Fair River-daughter!

O spring-time and summer-time, and spring again after!

O wind on the waterfall, and the leaves’ laughter!’” (The Fellowship, Book One, Chapter 7)

  

The hobbits sang merrily during their first meal at the Bombadil residence.

“Before long, washed and refreshed, the hobbits were seated at the table, two on each side, while at either end sat Goldberry and the Master. It was a long and merry meal.

Though the hobbits ate, as only famished hobbits can eat, there was no lack.

The drink in their drinking-bowls seemed to be clear cold water, yet it went to their hearts like wine and set free their voices. The guests became suddenly aware that they were singing merrily, as if it was easier and more natural than talking.” (The Fellowship, Book One, Chapter 7)

 

Natural beauty 

Tolkien’s description of Goldberry highlights her deep connection to the natural world.

“In a chair at the far side of the room facing the outer door, sat a woman. Her long yellow hair rippled down her shoulders; her gown was green, green as young reeds, shot with silver like beads of dew; and her belt was of gold, shaped like a chain of flag-lilies set with the pale-blue eyes of forget-me-nots.” (The Fellowship, Book 1, Chapter 7)

 

Forget-me-nots are flowers that come in several different colors, including blue, pink, white, yellow, and purple.  

(Blue forget-me-not flowers)

White flowers surrounded Goldberry when her guests arrived. 

“About her feet in wide vessels of green and brown earthenware, white water-lilies were floating, so that she seemed to be enthroned in the midst of a pool.” (The Fellowship, Book 1, Chapter 7)

The hobbits were immediately struck by Goldberry’s physical beauty.

 

“Enter, good guests!’ she said, and as she spoke they knew that it was her clear voice they had heard singing. They came a few timid steps further into the room, and began to bow low, feeling strangely surprised and awkward, like folk that, knocking at a cottage door to beg for a drink of water, have been answered by a fair young elf-queen clad in living flowers.

But before they could say anything, she sprang lightly up and over the lily-bowls and ran laughing towards them; and as she ran her gown rustled softly like the wind in the flowing borders of a river.” (The Fellowship, Book One, Chapter 7)

 

After Goldberry wished the hobbits good night, Tolkien described Goldberry using imagery to compare the “river-daughter” to the calming sound of flowing water.   

“The sound of her footsteps was like a stream falling gently away downhill over cool stones in the quiet of night.” (The Fellowship, Book One, Chapter 7)

 

A loving relationship 

During their second supper at the Bombadil home, the hobbits observed the deep connection between Tom and Goldberry, who lived alone with each other, far away from the settlements of hobbits, men, elves, and dwarves.  

They acted in harmony with one another as they prepared the table for their guests.

 

“Quickly he returned, bearing a large and laden tray. Then Tom and Goldberry set the table; and the hobbits sat half in wonder and half in laughter: so fair was the grace of Goldberry and so merry and odd the caperings of Tom.

Yet in some fashion they seemed to weave a single dance, neither hindering the other, in and out of the room, and round about the table; and with great speed food and vessels and lights were set in order. The boards blazed with candles, white and yellow. Tom bowed to his guests.

‘Super is ready,’ said Goldberry; and now the hobbits saw that she was clothed all in silver and a white girdle, and her shoes were like fishes’ mail.

But Tom was all in clean blue, blue as rain-washed forget-me-nots, and he had green stockings.” (The Fellowship, Book One, Chapter 7)

 

After super, Goldberry sang for her guests and evoked images of beautiful waters. 

 

“After they had eaten, Goldberry sang many songs for them, songs that began merrily in the hills and fell softly down into silence; and in the silences they saw in their minds waters wider than any they had known, and looking into them they saw the sky below them and the stars like jewels in the depths.” (The Fellowship, Book One, Chapter 7)

 

In my next analysis, I will examine Arwen, the daughter of King Elrond, an elf woman who was renowned for her beauty.