Goblin Feet

"Goblin Feet" is a poem written in 1915 by J. R. R. Tolkien for Edith Mary Bratt, his wife-to-be, which was published in Oxford poetry 1915 before being reprinted in anthologies such as The Book of Fairy Poetry (1920): it thus marks Tolkien's first appearance in the capacity of a writer for children.[1]

His fiancee, had expressed her liking for “spring and flowers and trees, and little elfin people”,[2] and the poem with its rather twee references to “the tiny horns of enchanted leprechauns...their little happy feet”[3] reflects her preferences. Tolkien himself would later wish that “the unhappy thing, representing all that I came (so soon after) to fervently dislike, could be buried for ever”.[4]

Elven traditions

"Goblin Feet" reflects one strand in the twin elven traditions Tolkien inherited – the frivolous, small-scale, singing and dancing elves of the Edwardians, as opposed to the (medieval) warrior elves who would become the mainstream of his legendarium.[5]

Despite his repudiation of Goblin Feet, similarly frivolous elves would re-appear in the Rivendell of The Hobbit with their ridiculous songs - “pretty fair nonsense I daresay you think it”.[6]

Philology

Tolkien's use of words like 'flittermouse' for bat in the poem mark an important opening of his philological interests into his fairy world.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ J. Rateliff, The History of The Hobbit, Pt 1: Mr Baggins (2007) p. 120
  2. ↑ H. Carpenter, J. R. R. Tolkien (2002) p. 106
  3. ↑ H. Carpenter, J. R. R. Tolkien (2002) p. 107
  4. ↑ J. Rateliff, The History of The Hobbit, Pt 1: Mr Baggins (2007) p. 125
  5. ↑ J. Rateliff, The History of The Hobbit, Pt 1: Mr Baggins (2007) p. 120
  6. ↑ J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1983) p. 56
  7. ↑ T. A. Shippey, The Road to Middle-Earth (1992) p. 31-2
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