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The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-10-2002, 09:27 AM

I think that Tom Bombadil is included (in LoTR at least) to provide some light relief and a short rest for Frodo et al, not to mention the reader. This would explain why he disappears, apart from a necessary mention at the Council of Elrond, after they leave the Barrow Downs.
As such, there's not really much need to explain a great deal about him; in fact the enigma makes him more compelling than he would be if we knew the whole story. I do wish he'd associated a name with that brooch, though...

My question would be: Do we really want to pin Bombadil down? Surely he's more interesting as an enigma and there is a saying that we lessen what we define.

01-10-2002, 09:27 AM	#36
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	I think that Tom Bombadil is included (in LoTR at least) to provide some light relief and a short rest for Frodo et al, not to mention the reader. This would explain why he disappears, apart from a necessary mention at the Council of Elrond, after they leave the Barrow Downs. As such, there's not really much need to explain a great deal about him; in fact the enigma makes him more compelling than he would be if we knew the whole story. I do wish he'd associated a name with that brooch, though... My question would be: Do we really want to pin Bombadil down? Surely he's more interesting as an enigma and there is a saying that we lessen what we define. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne? Last edited by The Squatter of Amon Rûdh; 06-13-2004 at 03:09 PM.