Zoras vs. Gorons Analysis

Hello everyone. I’m not a timeline theorist, and I don’t think I’m gutsy enough to be one. However, theorizing about Zelda is pretty fun, as well as analyzing. In this thread, I’m going to analyze the two most famous (arguably) races in the Zelda Series- Gorons and Zoras.

Let’s start with Ocarina of Time, because it’s considered to be the “starting” of all the games. The Gorons are happy, bumbling, and sometimes a little idiotic people on the top of a relatively easily accessible mountain. They satisfy themselves with sitting around and eating rocks. They are a very simple race. Their government consists of a king with loyal subjects.

The Zoras are a bit different. They’re portrayed as wise, and the kind of race that would rather sit there and do nothing than anything. They do have a diving game, but it’s not much of a competitive game as I will discuss later. More importantly, the Zoras live completely in solitude, letting their own people in only (as well as only the most important people, i.e. Royal Family Messengers) Their domain is blocked by a waterfall that is not possible to cross without knowing Zelda’s Lullaby. Like the Gorons, they have a king with loyal subjects.

So, what am I getting at here? Not much yet, but I will emphasize common traits later on. Let’s go to Majora’s Mask now.

It’s safe to assume that the races in Majora’s Mask are pretty much comparable to the ones in Ocarina of Time. However, the traits that were subtly suggested in Ocarina of Time are expanded on in Majora’s Mask. The Gorons- after returning spring to the mountain, of course- show themselves to be a simple, happy people, like in Majora’s Mask. Returning to the Shrine as Darmani lets you see how much they appreciate your efforts, and how much of a big deal it is to them. And they know how to have fun, too! They have a competitive game going on: the Goron Races. This shows the Goron’s competitiveness, and begins their desire for money as they collect money from the races too. Their government has a leader, although the government is not completely defined.

The Zoras are even more secluded. Their home, the Zora Hall, is completely underwater, meaning that only Zoras can access it. They do have a game, the pot-breaking game, but it’s not nearly as competitive and fun as the Goron Races. The Zoras aren’t portrayed as much wise as they are one-minded in this game. Their whole race revolves around the Indigo-go’s, or at least that’s the impression given. They couldn’t care less about external affairs, and I don’t believe they even notice the Moon falling- where one of the Gorons do make a comment about that. Most important to notice is their lack of government and a social structure, which would suggest that they are less advanced than the Gorons.

I’d like to briefly mention Wind Waker to show that the Goron Merchant’s aim is to get money. Nothing much here, though. I’d also like to briefly mention A Link to the Past to show that the Zoras are, once again, completely in seclusion, and even hostile to outsiders.

In Twilight Princess, however, the races are the most defined. The Gorons live on top of the Mountain, and have completely turned the Mountain into a mine to make money. Their desire for money, and their practically because of that, is shown here. The Gorons also show that they like competition, as they did in Majora’s Mask with the Goron Races. A popular event for the Gorons in Twilight Princess is sumo wrestling, and much importance is held in who can sumo wrestle better. The Goron’s government has a leader, several wise men, and subjects. They mingle with other people in Kakariko Village, and are very friendly and willing to help you get to on top of buildings.

The Zoras are quite different. Like before, they are in complete seclusion. They stay on the very top of a waterfall, which is not accessible by any means. In TP, the three ways to get there are:
1. Warp (normal people can’t do this)
2. Midna Jump (normal people can’t do this)
3. Ask the Zora at the base of the waterfall to give you a ride (normal people wouldn’t want to go through this trouble)
Of course, part of their domain is at the bottom of the waterfall too, but the vast majority of the Zoras stay at the top. Once again, the Zoras don’t associate with other people. The only time you see them outside of their domain is when their own Temple is in danger, and Zoras are outside everywhere trying to solve the problem. Once the problem is fixed, you can’t see them there anymore- you can only see them right outside the temple, which is underwater meaning that once again they are in seclusion.

The Zora government is also not advanced. It’s a step up from the no-government of Majora’s Mask, but they’re being ruled by a young prince and following him blindly, and there are no other people involved in the government.



That concludes my analysis. In case you fell asleep, here's a summary:

GORONS

• Friendly and easily accessible
• Money making
• Competitive
• More advanced government
• Social

ZORAS

• Live in seclusion
• Not much of a government
• Unsocial

I’d like to hear your thoughts on this; if you have anything to add, anything to argue about, or anything to negate or invalidate, please post. Thanks!

The Zora government is also not advanced. It’s a step up from the no-government of Majora’s Mask, but they’re being ruled by a young prince and following him blindly, and there are no other people involved in the government.

The Queen had just died, and many described her as strong, a good leader. In fact, talking to a lot of Zoras after you have unfrozen Zora's domain, many of them are concerened about the Zora prince, the death of their queen and who will lead them. I feel that in Twilight Princess at least, the Zoras had a goverment, a recently broken one. They relied heavily on one woman, their queen.

Originally Posted by Blue fire

The Queen had just died, and many described her as strong, a good leader. In fact, talking to a lot of Zoras after you have unfrozen Zora's domain, many of them are concerened about the Zora prince, the death of their queen and who will lead them. I feel that in Twilight Princess at least, the Zoras had a goverment, a recently broken one. They relied heavily on one woman, their queen.

Looking back, I think that I was wrong in saying the Zora's government strucutre was less advanced. You're right; the Zora's just have a monarchy while the Gorons have more of a democracy (not exactly a democracy, but closer to one) You're definitely right that the Zoras had a government though.

Where did you get the idea that Gorons are lovers of money? It may be more a matter of them needing money to fund their projects. They certainly enjoy competition, but I have never heard any of them talk about which of them is the richest. They may obtain a lot of Rupees, but I have as of yet to see any evidence that they do not normally share them in a commune-like manner.

Honestly, Hylians would have to be the money-lovers, what with the constantly cursed greedy people (Golden Skulltulas, Poe souls), the ones who charge exorbitant prices (Tingle), and the obscenely wealthy (Agitha).

Originally Posted by HurriPen

Where did you get the idea that Gorons are lovers of money? It may be more a matter of them needing money to fund their projects. They certainly enjoy competition, but I have never heard any of them talk about which of them is the richest. They may obtain a lot of Rupees, but I have as of yet to see any evidence that they do not normally share them in a commune-like manner.

Perhaps I misworded it. I meant that they've shown a trend of obtaining a lot of money, not really being money-lovers.

Originally Posted by HurriPen

Honestly, Hylians would have to be the money-lovers, what with the constantly cursed greedy people (Golden Skulltulas, Poe souls), the ones who charge exorbitant prices (Tingle), and the obscenely wealthy (Agitha).

Most definitely. Don't forget the deceitful cheaters like the Star Game guy, and the extortionists like Fyer and Falibi.

Purlo I can understand, but Fyer and Falbi simply have a successful business model: they are extorting people just about as much as Nintendo extorts people. Now, if they were behaving like Sony, they would charge 200 rupees a pop. Then, you could blast them for all they are worth.

Back on-topic, this thread does cover the basic personalities of the races pretty well, with facts given to support it: nice job!

Originally Posted by HurriPen

Purlo I can understand, but Fyer and Falbi simply have a successful business model: they are extorting people just about as much as Nintendo extorts people. Now, if they were behaving like Sony, they would charge 200 rupees a pop. Then, you could blast them for all they are worth.

Fyer charges people to simply get back on Hyrule Field. For 20 (or is it 10? I forgot) Rupees per travel, it may seem like nothing, but for someone who would need to get there many times, it adds up quite a bit. Falbi I can understand, because he charges for a game, which is optional, since there are other ways for a normal person to get down to the lake. But a normal person can't get up to Hyrule Field without forking over some dough to Fyer.

Then again, I suppose this would be analogous to the airport systems; you have to pay to fly to get somewhere. Still, while playing the game, and having to pay him so many times just to get up to Hyrule Field, it certainly felt like extortionism.

Originally Posted by HurriPen

Back on-topic, this thread does cover the basic personalities of the races pretty well, with facts given to support it: nice job!

Thanks very much! This is my first thread dealing with Zelda Theorizing and whatnot, so I hoped it wouldn't be a flunk.

Originally Posted by Grass

Fyer charges people to simply get back on Hyrule Field. For 20 (or is it 10? I forgot) Rupees per travel, it may seem like nothing, but for someone who would need to get there many times, it adds up quite a bit. Falbi I can understand, because he charges for a game, which is optional, since there are other ways for a normal person to get down to the lake. But a normal person can't get up to Hyrule Field without forking over some dough to Fyer.

Then again, I suppose this would be analogous to the airport systems; you have to pay to fly to get somewhere. Still, while playing the game, and having to pay him so many times just to get up to Hyrule Field, it certainly felt like extortionism.

Let me put it like this: they are only charging the morons who got stuck down there in the first place. Most people have the sense to stay on the bridge. However, Falbi's appeal to greed does quite well at getting them off, I wager (no double entendre intended, I assure you!).

Thanks very much! This is my first thread dealing with Zelda Theorizing and whatnot, so I hoped it wouldn't be a flunk.

You are welcome to my praise when it is warranted. Now, I am off to bed for the morning!

in OoT the Gorons don't have a King but just a leader(Darmani). in TP they have a Patriarch. just pointing out...

Originally Posted by king of termina

in OoT the Gorons don't have a King but just a leader(Darmani). in TP they have a Patriarch. just pointing out...

Correction, Darunia is the leader from OoT, Darmani would be the Goron Hero in MM. Also the 4 elders in TP seem to have a more somewhat political role in the Goron community than the Patriarch, where he seems more a figure of great respect. This is more my view though.

The only time you see them outside of their domain is when their own Temple is in danger, and Zoras are outside everywhere trying to solve the problem. Once the problem is fixed, you can’t see them there anymore- you can only see them right outside the temple, which is underwater meaning that once again they are in seclusion

.

There is a lone Zora who visits Death Mountain after this period, although it is not specified if it is a social meeting. Just thought I would add this, as it does suggest there could be some communication between the Zora and Gorons.

Originally Posted by Darknut King

There is a lone Zora who visits Death Mountain after this period, although it is not specified if it is a social meeting. Just thought I would add this, as it does suggest there could be some communication between the Zora and Gorons.

I've never seen that, but it's a good point. Imagining a Zora amongst Gorons makes the term "fish out of water" come to mind. However, it's not half as awkward as the Goron who just stands there underwater in Zora's Domain .

well,he can't exactly swim out can he ??

Originally Posted by Grass

3.Ask the Zora at the base of the waterfall to give you a ride (normal people wouldn’t want to go through this trouble)

I loved it, but people don't usualy take the trouble to climb up a mountain to see some living rocks either.

Originally Posted by Hyrule Pheonix

I loved it, but people don't usualy take the trouble to climb up a mountain to see some living rocks either.

I understand your point. But it's not about which race more people would want to see, it's how easily one can see the race if they needed too. For example, if someone wanted to see the Zoras, they'd have to go through all that trouble. But if someone wanted to see the Gorons, they're very much present in Kakariko Village. And they're also situated in various locations on Death Mountain, so one wouldn't have to scale the whole mountain.

My argument only falls apart due to the fact that there are a few Zoras on the lower part of the domain.

The Zora's in ALttP are not the Zora's in OoT.

There are 2 different types of Zora...

River Zora: ALttP

Sea Zora: OoT and other.