Puddleglum

Character Analysis

Puddleglum is the first of his species in The Chronicles of Narnia. He is a Marsh-wiggle, and we are told that these are frog-like characters who do the "watery and fishy" types of work in Narnia. Lewis provides this additional description of the children's guide: "His expression was solemn, his complexion muddy, and you could see at once that he took a serious view of life" (5.68). He isn't kidding, either.

A Glass Half-Empty Kind of Guy

Puddleglum's name pretty much says it all. Dude's just never going to be a motivational speaker. He's so glum, in fact, that he nearly drives Eustace and Jill to distraction on the first day of their acquaintance, predicting poor sleep in his wigwam, sour bellies from eating eels, and wet wood for their fires (none of which comes to pass). After Puddleglum tells them that their mission will most likely end with them knifing one another, Eustace flares up:

I don't believe the whole thing can be half as bad as you're making out; any more than the beds in the wigwam were hard or the wood was wet. I don't think Aslan would ever have sent us if there was so little chance as all that. (5.74)

Despite Puddleglum's eternal pessimism, he has good qualities that eventually endear him to the children. For one, he has a sick sense of humor. When Jill argues about the unfair weapon distribution, Puddleglum says, "Ah, there you are. I thought as much. That's what usually happens on adventures" (5.77)—referring to his prediction that they will end up "knifing" one another. He also relishes thinking of the worst-case scenario and usually ends discussions about adventures with a phrase like "it'll probably kill us, I shouldn't wonder…" Good time, this guy.

Put a Bold Face on It

But for all this gloomy talk, Puddleglum is never depressed. In fact, he's about as motivated and enthusiastic for this adventure as either Jill or Eustace, even if he has a funny way of showing it. The children wonder that he should want to go on a journey that he's so sure will end poorly, but Puddleglum feels that it is just the kind of thing he needs:

I'm not going to lose an opportunity like this. It will do me good. They all say—I mean, the other wiggles all say—that I'm too flighty; don't take life seriously enough… Now a job like this—a journey up north just as winter's beginning, looking for a Prince that probably isn't there, by the way of a ruined city that no one has ever seen—will be just the thing. If that doesn't steady a chap, I don't know what will. (5.75)

This mixture of pessimism and enthusiasm leads Puddleglum to formulate a unique approach to life. Though they'll probably be uncomfortable or giants may take over the whole kingdom or following the signs will likely lead to a horrible death, they've just got to face it—and look good while doing it.

Puddleglum's philosophy of putting "a bold face" on bad situations works in two ways: It helps them do their duty, as well as to be brave when they're not feeling it. It's a kind of fake-it-till-you-make-it approach to courage. While Puddleglum doesn't agree with the idea to visit Harfang, but once he's there, he embraces the foolhardy adventure with gusto:

"Don't look frightened, whatever you do. We've done the silliest thing in the world by coming at all: but now that we are here, we'd best put a bold face on it." With these words, he strode forward to the gateway, stood still under the arch where the echo would help his voice and called out as loud as he could. (7.104)

He does this kind of thing throughout the adventure, reminding them that Aslan is at the back of their perilous journey and that fear of death is no excuse to shirk their duty. In the end, this fake bravery and pretend enthusiasm turn into the real thing at the moment of greatest need.

When confronting the Queen of Underland and fighting off her mind-controlling fire and song, Puddleglum summons a reserve of conviction and courage built by "whistling in the dark" and always facing the worst-case scenario head-on. His bravery saves his friends from falling prey to the witch queen and ultimately gets Rilian back to the king in the nick of time.

But don't worry: The happy ending doesn't go to Puddleglum's head. Just when everyone gets their happily-ever-afters, he reminds us "that bright mornings brought on wet afternoons, and that [we can't] expect good times to last" (16.243). And this is exactly how we'd expect him to meet such happiness.