Loss of innocence seems to be a pretty common one, there. In a way, I guess Treebeard lost his innocence as well, forced to take matters into his own hands and destroy living creatures - I'm sure Isengard wasn't
completely empty when the Ents arrived. In contrast, Bombadil seems to be one of the few characters that retained his innocence. And as a consequence he is portrayed as childish (although both extremely wise and learned) and basically a complete laughing-stock! Is Tolkien encouraging us all to grow up and achieve great things? Or is simply showing us that eventually we all have to grow up, unless we choose to stay in our own little house between the Downs and the Forest.
Quote:
No foolin'! I'mfrom North Kilt-Town!
Groundskeeper Willy
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