I don't think that this is a 'stretch'. It's a fascinating idea and I would love to read the original thread about Goldberry that you mention,
Bęthberry.
There are countless folk tales throughout British and European folklore that have river spirits as both friend and foe.Tolkien has concentrated on the friendly aspect, however.
Curiously, most of these water spirits are female, and the tales commonly begin with meeting a beautiful woman with exceptionally long hair, often sitting on a rock in a river or at the very edge of the water, whilst combing her hair, crying or lamenting. Sometimes these women have fish scales or indeed a fish tail. Goldberry it's interesting to note, wears shoes that glisten like fish scales and Tom Bombadil describes meeting her in such a fashion:
Quote:
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'By that pool long ago I found the River-daughter, fair young Goldberry sitting in the rushes. Sweet was her singing then, and her heart was beating.'
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Reading that quote something struck me.
Tom claims to be the 'Eldest' in Middle Earth. He remembers how it was in the beginning;
'
Tom was here before the river and the trees...'
Was he lonely as he watched the new life awaken on the land? The way he found Goldberry;
'...and her heart was beating...'
Did the River make its daughter come alive for Tom?
Tolkien suggests that there are elemental forces in M.E. Boromir's body is given into the keeping of a river;
'...and give him to the Anduin. The River of Gondor will take care at least that no evil creature dishonours his bones.' Is there an elemental power at work here, or am I reaching?
If Tom and Goldberry are elementals (Old Man Willow too) She obviously represents the idea of life and renewal, like Persephone and the Maid. If we begin to understand Goldberry perhaps we can more understand Tom.
Forgive my ramblings, this isn't at all what I intended to post.
Good topic BB.
