Gollum or Golem - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Brinniel · 03-12-2007, 09:50 PM

Today in my class Making Monsters (indeed an awesome course), we learned about the golem and its background. During our discussion, a student came up with an interesting question: Is there any connection between the golem and Tolkien's Gollum?

Now at first glance, it doesn't seem that the two would have anything in common. After all, the golem is "an animated being created entirely from inanimate matter." It is brainless and cannot speak. And of course, we all know Gollum was never made from mud or clay, and he definitely had plenty to say. Yet, there is a connection. As my professor commented: Tolkien was a scholar, so he was aware of the meaning of the word golem. So, he must have had a reason behind of the choice of the name Gollum.

Smeagol may not have any connection, but looking at it closely, I can see the similarities in Gollum. Like the golem, Gollum has no will of his own. He is enslaved to the power of the Ring. Also, as Smeagol transforms into Gollum his form takes that of a creature, or as some may describe, a monster. While in this form, Gollum may not be slow and clumsy, his appearance certainly reflects the impact the Ring has on him - another idea that can be connected to the golem.

Anyways, I was just curious on what everyone's thoughts are on this. The golem is an interesting creature, as is Gollum, and some may know more about it then others (and I'm sure there are plenty who know more about it than I do). What other elements of the golem do you see in Gollum, if any?

For reference:
The Golem on Wikipedia.
An article that compares the golem and Gollum.

03-12-2007, 09:50 PM	#1
Brinniel Reflection of Darkness Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Polishing the stars. Well, somebody has to do it; they're looking a little bit dull. Posts: 2,983	Gollum or Golem Today in my class Making Monsters (indeed an awesome course), we learned about the golem and its background. During our discussion, a student came up with an interesting question: Is there any connection between the golem and Tolkien's Gollum? Now at first glance, it doesn't seem that the two would have anything in common. After all, the golem is "an animated being created entirely from inanimate matter." It is brainless and cannot speak. And of course, we all know Gollum was never made from mud or clay, and he definitely had plenty to say. Yet, there is a connection. As my professor commented: Tolkien was a scholar, so he was aware of the meaning of the word golem. So, he must have had a reason behind of the choice of the name Gollum. Smeagol may not have any connection, but looking at it closely, I can see the similarities in Gollum. Like the golem, Gollum has no will of his own. He is enslaved to the power of the Ring. Also, as Smeagol transforms into Gollum his form takes that of a creature, or as some may describe, a monster. While in this form, Gollum may not be slow and clumsy, his appearance certainly reflects the impact the Ring has on him - another idea that can be connected to the golem. Anyways, I was just curious on what everyone's thoughts are on this. The golem is an interesting creature, as is Gollum, and some may know more about it then others (and I'm sure there are plenty who know more about it than I do). What other elements of the golem do you see in Gollum, if any? For reference: The Golem on Wikipedia. An article that compares the golem and Gollum. __________________ Nolite te bastardes carborundorum