we wonders, precious, we wonders *gollum*

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Radagastly, that's an interesting thought, but I have my doubts as to whether Tolkien was influenced by the 'golem' legends. As far as I remember from the biography, he was never in Poland, certainly not as a child.

[Sharkû]

As far as I can remember, the Golem legend is completely fictitious and relatively recent, and the animation of an artificial creature is attributed to a Rabbi from Prague, CZ. I as well have my doubts that Tolkien would have needed to be inspired by that to name one of his characters after a simple guttural sound.

[Luthien_ Tinuviel]

As far as I can remember, the Golem legend is completely fictitious and relatively recent, and the animation of an artificial creature is attributed to a Rabbi from Prague, CZ. I as well have my doubts that Tolkien would have needed to be inspired by that to name one of his characters after a simple guttural sound.

As do I. I find it doubtful that he had even heard of the Golem... and you're completely correct, Sharkû (I used to live in Prague). I think it just originates from the sound, and nothing more.

[HerenIstarion]

find it doubtful that he had even heard of the Golem

No knowing. After all, he was a man of broad education and agile mind. And if even I have heard of Golem, why not Tolkien. That does not imply I think Gollum was influenced by Golem, just stand up in defence of much admired Professor's erudition

Why did Gollum utter such noises re: (with a condition of taking what follows at its face value, i.e. as a speculation):

Gollum might have had sustained cold (what with lack of clothes and constant living in dark, cold and wet places)

[radagastly]

I must admit it may be a stretch to think that 'The Golem' was necessarily an influence, but I would not discount the possibility. It may be fiction, and fairly recent, but it pre-dates 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit.' There was a film made in Germany with that title (and theme) produced in 1920 by Paul Wegener and Carl Boese. It might be interesting to compare the legend to the first version of Gollum from the original version of "Riddles in the Dark." Unfortunately, (like most people) I only posess the re-write that was done to tie it into 'The Lord of the Rings.'

[Saraphim]

The idea of a Golem is that it is a servant of whoever creates it, right? Well, then look at Gollum himself. He was a essentially a servant of the Ring, which had created him from Smeagol to Gollum

[Evisse the Blue]

The Golem hypothesis is interesting, and I wouldn't discount it as a possibility. The fact that it was a contemporary invention does not make it less valuable. Like any legend/invention it served a certain purpose at that moment in history, in this case, the wishful thinking that one could fashion a creature from mud (with the aid of faith) who would then fight for his creator. What is very important about the Golem myth is that the Golem is said to be brought to life by writing a word onto the back of his hand: the Hebrew equivalent of 'life'. To bring it back to Gollum, consider what Saraphim said. Gollum's will was no longer his own, he was as much a servant of the Ring as the Golem was his master's. And also don't forget the power of words all throughout LOTR, (i.e., the Ring poem and its effect when uttered in Dark Speech at the Council of Elrond.

So, can we call it plausible?

It could also be the fact that he forgot how to laugh, as Imladris suggested, so 'gollum' would be a strangled attempt to show his pleasure, which now only derived from the Ring; or that he kept choking on fish (how often does one have to choke, though, before the sound he makes becomes his nickname? ). Call me crazy, but I actually tried immitating the sound many times, and it never came out right (as is described in the book). It sounds somehow unnatural. And I agree the movie sound is not at all how I imagined it when reading the book description if it. However these theories do not contradict the Golem hypotheses - while one is true in the context of the 'real life inspiration', the others are true in the fictious world of ME ( did I say fictious - I uttered a blasphemy!).

Anyway, the only certainty we have so far is ElanorGamgee 's post, the rest is speculation.

Well, I say, let's keep the speculations coming!