[LMB] ( now Tolkien) TSK:B vs Dragonflight

[Mark A. Mandel]

Lois scripsit:

I think even on my first reading, at a naive 15, I got that Goldberry 
was a local river spirit of, specifically, the Withywindle, and no more 
human than Tom.  "Goldberry's washing day" wasn't about laundry.

Unlike many, I love the Old Forest sequence, and re-read it frequently 
(when not just starting with the first appearance of Strider.)


Yeah, ditto ditto! "Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter!"

Ehh... but then what was her washing day about? ... (Go to shelf, browse FOTR... I.7 "In the House of Tom Bombadil" ... p. 140): 

[section break]

The upper wind settled in the West and deeper and wetter clouds rolled up to spill their laden rain on the bare heads of the Downs. Nothing could be seen all round the house but falling water. Frodo stood near the open door and watched the white chalky path turn into a little river of milk and go bubbling away down into the valley. Tom Bombadil came trotting round the corner of the house, waving his arms as if he was warding off the rain -- and indeed when he sprang over the threshold he seemed quite dry, except for his boots. These he took off and put in the chimney-corner. Then he sat in the largest chair and called the hobbits to gather round him.

'This is Goldberry's washing day,' he said, 'and her autumn-cleaning. Too wet for hobbit-folk -- let them rest while they are able! It's a good day for long tales, for questions and for answers, so Tom will start the talking.'


Not a day for hanging the linens out to dry! And all that long day of stories, Goldberry isn't seen, till

'The rain has ended,' she said; 'and new waters are running downhill, under the stars. Let us laugh and be glad!'


Indeed, what is she washing? The hills, the river... Thanks, Lois; I never, uh, twigged to that before now, and I've been reading this book for over forty years.

m a m









       
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