The River Mother??? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 11-15-2003, 03:20 AM

My suggestion of the River Woman & Old Man Willow symbolising the Female & Male aspects of the Old Forest wasn't meant to be a 'definitive' statement. It had occurred to me just before I posted! But at the same time, we can't judge either of these beings as 'evil' - the figures of Peg Powler & Jenny Greenteeth are not 'evil' in folkore accounts - they are dangerous, their 'infamy' serves as a warning to the unwary.

As far as OMW goes - surely we can understand his reaction to the Hobbits, who as Merry has said, have been hacking down trees. Probably OMW sees Hobbits in the same way as Treebeard sees Orcs - but, of course, the Red Book is written by Hobbits, so when Hobbits hack down & burn trees, they must have a good reason & be in the right. However, when Orcs or Ruffians cut down trees the Hobbits care for then the Trees are justified in taking revenge!

If we lose the idea of OMW being 'evil' is it going too far to suggest that there may have been something in the back of Tolkien's mind about OMW & RW symbolising the 'primal parents?

11-15-2003, 03:20 AM	#20
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	My suggestion of the River Woman & Old Man Willow symbolising the Female & Male aspects of the Old Forest wasn't meant to be a 'definitive' statement. It had occurred to me just before I posted! But at the same time, we can't judge either of these beings as 'evil' - the figures of Peg Powler & Jenny Greenteeth are not 'evil' in folkore accounts - they are dangerous, their 'infamy' serves as a warning to the unwary. As far as OMW goes - surely we can understand his reaction to the Hobbits, who as Merry has said, have been hacking down trees. Probably OMW sees Hobbits in the same way as Treebeard sees Orcs - but, of course, the Red Book is written by Hobbits, so when Hobbits hack down & burn trees, they must have a good reason & be in the right. However, when Orcs or Ruffians cut down trees the Hobbits care for then the Trees are justified in taking revenge! If we lose the idea of OMW being 'evil' is it going too far to suggest that there may have been something in the back of Tolkien's mind about OMW & RW symbolising the 'primal parents? __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."