September 13, 2005

More Rich, Tolkien Geekiness

Gary the Tolkien Geek has posted his latest entry on FOTR - Book One, Chapter 7 - In the House of Tom Bombadil.

In it, he provides a nifty round-up of theories and links surrounding the central issue of this chapter, namely, "Who the hell is this guy?"

I'd personally never given it that much thought except to suppose Tom might be one of the Maiar. But I really like Gary's theory and I especially like the way it fits in with what is right in front of you in the chapter.

Of course, if all of this is just a little too brainy, you can always go and have a look at Naughty Hobbits.

UPDATE: Spaceman Spiff in the White Tower? Don't ask, just go. Lots more here. Yips! to Mixolydian Don.

Posted by Robert at September 13, 2005 11:24 AM | TrackBack
Comments

There is a lot of merit in it -- Bombadil as an avatar of simple goodness. He is certainly all of that.

Of course we risk making too much of it; remember Tolkien's dislike of allegory and his preference for "history, true or feigned".

I like the Aule and Yavanna theory, also -- I had not considered it. Though Aule is the creator of the Dwarves, and you would expect that if Bombadil had created the dwarves, they'd be more like him. Jollier.

He is a person to whom the normal rules of the world don't apply -- an interloper in Middle Earth from a different universe. He is not, strictly speaking, necessary from a plot point of view -- as Jackson showed in the movie by eliminating him -- but I think he helps by showing the hobbits that

a) they are not alone,
b) simple goodness is a great thing, and
c) that it will all work out in the end.

I'd add my own latest theory, which is that he is, in a sense, Tolkien himself, winking at us. A Hitchcock cameo.

Posted by: The Colossus at September 13, 2005 12:51 PM

Mmyy precious it is my precious and the eagles are leading a attack on the orcs never ever trust a orc

Posted by: spurwing plover at September 17, 2005 09:47 AM