Goldmund and the Lives He Touches

Narcissus and Goldmund

Goldmund’s encounters with companions, lovers, and strangers reveal how his freedom can create intimacy without overcoming separation or unequal vulnerability.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Lise’s Brief Welcome Lise’s Brief Welcome from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Lise’s Brief Welcome A First Intimacy Lise initiates Goldmund into sexual love and accompanies his first night outside the cloister.

Lise’s Brief Welcome from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Lise’s Brief Welcome A First Intimacy Lise initiates Goldmund into sexual love and accompanies his first night outside the cloister.

Lise’s Brief Welcome A First Intimacy Lise initiates Goldmund into sexual love and accompanies his first night outside the cloister. Their closeness gives him a powerful sense of belonging to life. Separate Roads She returns to her husband, and Goldmund accepts that desire need not create a lasting household. The encounter becomes a beginning, not a destination.

Viktor’s Hard Lesson Viktor’s Hard Lesson from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Viktor’s Hard Lesson A Roadside Education Viktor teaches Goldmund how experienced wanderers find food and shelter.

Viktor’s Hard Lesson from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Viktor’s Hard Lesson A Roadside Education Viktor teaches Goldmund how experienced wanderers find food and shelter.

Viktor’s Hard Lesson A Roadside Education Viktor teaches Goldmund how experienced wanderers find food and shelter. His wit and knowledge offer a practical counterpoint to Goldmund’s trusting approach. Trust Destroyed Viktor attempts to steal from Goldmund and strangles him. Goldmund kills him and learns that companionship cannot eliminate danger.

Lene’s Temporary Household Lene’s Temporary Household from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Lene’s Temporary Household Escape from the City Goldmund takes Lene away from a plague-stricken town and forms a temporary household with her and Robert.

Lene’s Temporary Household from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Lene’s Temporary Household Escape from the City Goldmund takes Lene away from a plague-stricken town and forms a temporary household with her and Robert.

Lene’s Temporary Household Escape from the City Goldmund takes Lene away from a plague-stricken town and forms a temporary household with her and Robert. For a brief period, care and shared labor imitate settled life. Different Expectations Lene imagines a continuing home, while Goldmund treats their shelter as temporary. Their unequal hopes expose the limits of his freedom when another person depends on him.

Rebekka’s Refusal Rebekka’s Refusal from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Rebekka’s Refusal Aid and Grief Goldmund helps Rebekka bury her father after anti-Jewish violence.

Rebekka’s Refusal from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Rebekka’s Refusal Aid and Grief Goldmund helps Rebekka bury her father after anti-Jewish violence.

Rebekka’s Refusal Aid and Grief Goldmund helps Rebekka bury her father after anti-Jewish violence. He then tries to persuade her to travel with him, believing protection and affection can restore her desire to live. A Moral Boundary Rebekka rejects his courtship as another Christian claim on a woman whose family has been murdered. Goldmund recognizes that kindness does not erase the harm surrounding his identity.

Marie’s Unreturned Love Marie’s Unreturned Love from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Marie’s Unreturned Love A Quiet Welcome Marie recognizes Goldmund and brings him into the home where she once served him milk.

Marie’s Unreturned Love from "Narcissus and Goldmund". Marie’s Unreturned Love A Quiet Welcome Marie recognizes Goldmund and brings him into the home where she once served him milk.

Marie’s Unreturned Love A Quiet Welcome Marie recognizes Goldmund and brings him into the home where she once served him milk. Her affection gives him comfort after the deaths and disappointments of the road. Kindness Without Reciprocity Goldmund cannot return her love, though he values her care. Their relationship reveals the tenderness he can receive but cannot turn into a settled commitment.

On Goldmund’s first day beyond Mariabronn

During the winter of Goldmund’s early wandering

During the Black Death, after Goldmund leaves the isolated plague town

During Goldmund’s journey through the plague region

When Goldmund returns to the bishop’s city