Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner
Thomas the Rhymer is a legendary figure in Scottish folklore, known for his remarkable storytelling abilities and prophetic gifts. The narrative begins with his youth, where he impresses the local sheep farmers, Gavin and Meg, with his harp-playing and tales of grandeur, although they initially doubt his claims of having performed for royalty. As he matures, Thomas gains renown as the Rhymer, attracting many to hear his songs and stories, while also forming a romantic connection with a local woman named Elspeth. His life takes a fantastical turn when he is seduced and abducted by the queen of Elfland, who grants him the gift of prophecy while keeping him enthralled in her kingdom.
After seven years, Thomas returns to the mortal world unchanged, but with the newfound ability to speak only the truth. Initially met with skepticism regarding his prophetic insights, he gradually wins over those around him, including Elspeth. The couple eventually marries and leads a fulfilling life, although they encounter challenges, such as the revelation of Thomas’s hidden parentage to a child. The story concludes after two decades of happiness when Elspeth is left to reflect on Thomas as he mysteriously departs, symbolized by a white deer. Thomas the Rhymer’s tale intertwines themes of love, ambition, and the intersection of reality and the supernatural, reflecting the rich tradition of storytelling in Scottish culture.
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Subject Terms
Thomas the Rhymer
First published: 1990
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—high fantasy
Time of work: The Middle Ages
Locale: Scotland and Elfland
The Plot
This book covers the whole of Thomas’ life, until his death in his early fifties. The story begins with Thomas the Harper’s arrival as a youth at the croft of Gavin and Meg, poor sheep farmers. Gavin narrates the first section. Despite Tom’s exuberance in storytelling and skill with the harp, neither Gavin nor Meg believes Tom’s stories about playing for the king. Meg believes he is a valley boy. They do not object to his lies, believing fantasizing to be the nature of harpers. Such is his talent that Meg believes he will soon substantiate his tales. They both like him and invite him to return.
When he does so, he is clearly prosperous. He is now known as the Rhymer and has a seemingly endless stock of songs, tunes, and stories. He attracts many of their neighbors to see and hear him. Despite his obvious success with the women of the court, he becomes close to a young local woman, Elspeth. They argue and bicker but, as he leaves and returns, they grow closer, becoming lovers on his last visit. He then disappears.
Thomas takes up the narrative as he describes how the queen of Elfland seduces him and abducts him to her kingdom. There, he is a virtual pet, kept in thrall by overpowering sexual attraction. In return, she orders him to speak to no one but her, though he may sing to all, and she provides him with earthly food so that he can leave in seven years. These seem like seven long days, but still he is caught up in court intrigue. The queen’s rival for dominance of Elfland is her brother, the Hunter. A misanthrope, he delights in hunting the souls of dead humans condemned to Elfland. Through his talent, Thomas makes a song that deprives the Hunter of his newest prey and reasserts the queen.
As a parting gift, the queen makes Thomas a truth-sayer, giving him the gift of prophecy. He returns to Meg and Gavin unchanged by the years, and the former takes up the narrative. At first, no one believes Tom, though Meg slowly is convinced. His newfound gifts convince all except Elspeth, who has suffered a bad marriage and embitterment. Tom is, however, disoriented and unable to lie. It takes time for him to relearn how to tune and play a normal harp, and Meg nurses him. His playing becomes better than ever. He is even more famous now as True Thomas. Whenever he returns to the croft, lords pursue him for prophecies, but he is protected by the great lords as a national treasure.
Eventually, he wins over Elspeth. She becomes the narrator in the last section. They marry, and he takes her with him on his travels, even to France. They have children and are happy. Their happiness occasionally is marred by such occurrences as the arrival of a great lord’s son whose true father was Tom, as he demonstrates by looks and musical ability.
The end comes after twenty happy years. The queen appears as a white deer, and Elspeth is left to imagine Tom’s playing in Elfland.