Tom Bombadil - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galadriel55 · 10-17-2010, 07:35 PM

I see Bombadil as leprechaun that is a bit taller than a dwarf (physically). I think that he was created for the same reason as the ents - to guard nature. They both are the the first living creatures on m-e, except for the valar who came to visit. The difference is that ents, in a way, die - they becoe regular trees. Tom, however, is maore like an elf - he probably didn't change one jot since any thousand years ago.

Galadriel55 · 11-20-2010, 01:04 PM

Could Bombadil perhaps be a Maia?

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 11-20-2010, 05:35 PM

See my post above.

The Downs has gone deep into the detail of Bombadil's nature, possibility of Maiardom included. I believe the consensus is: no, he was not a Maia.

Khazad-dûm · 12-10-2010, 03:27 PM

The last time I read that chapter I pictured a big brown bearded, big biceped grizzly lumberjack man skipping around in the forest singing to himself. wearing a tunic and tights kinda like Link in N64's Ocarina of Time but different colours and different hat kinda like Gandalfs but not as big and a huge feather sticking out higher then the tip of his hat. I laughed to myself a lot during that chapter lol.

Pitchwife · 12-10-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khazad-dûm

The last time I read that chapter I pictured a big brown bearded, big biceped grizzly lumberjack man skipping around in the forest singing to himself.

You don't want to know what image that conjured up in my head!

(But then again, it isn't that hard to guess...)

And welcome to the Downs, by the way, as we haven't met yet!

Bom Tombadillo · 12-03-2011, 11:40 PM

To get back on-topic from all the "nature of Bombadil" stuff . . .

My good twin? Well, I always envision him with a sharp object or three stuck in him (downright nauseatingly cheery, that one is).

More seriously, I think of him as . . . well, a semi-paternal figure. Wise and clearly old, but so active and cheerful that you don't really notice that. The sort of person who always knows what to do and has seen it all, and knows better than to be too serious. This is a bit more of a character description than a physical one of course, but that's how I see people - I probably couldn't describe my own parents to you in any detail, but I could tell you all about them.

leapofberen · 12-23-2011, 12:20 PM

I mostly imagine Tom as being mostly earthy...careless and unconcerned like the books say, with higher things which reminds me more of nature spirits, fairys, etc, but seemingly kinder; perhaps not any less mischievous. In "Letters" Tolkien refers to Tom as "the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxford and Berkshire countryside." He ponders if Tom could be made into the hero of a story (when he is pondering a sequel to "The Hobbit"), "or is he, as I suspect, fully enshrined in the enclosed verses?"

I think (simply my opinion/interpretation) that Tom represents just that for Tolkien, the embodiment of the "vanishing" of the passing of the old world that Tolkien mourns throughout his life which seems to bleed through in his writings. To me, when I first read "Fellowship," the hobbits encounter of Tom is a welcome and wonderful diversion. I think I was really sad when they left and had to get back to the "real world" of battle, good versus evil, etc. (Still sad he was not portrayed in the movies!)

Gandalf announces at the end of LOTR (paraphrase) that he is going to see Tom; that while he has been a rolling stone, Tom has been one who has more or less lain still for ages, gathering moss. Tom's power seems to be more "descent" based (earthy) rather than "ascent" based (like many of the elves, the Valar, even the dark lord.) He is limited in the range of his power, yet possesses a refreshing carelessness, an almost omnipotent kind of existence which is outside of the events of ME. He seems unconcerned with power, victory, defeat, the world of up and down, right or wrong. And yet, he is naturally pure and good...but perhaps not logical. I have to agree with the assertions that he is an anomaly, but a completely necessary one as he may be a character that very clearly reveals the heart and desire of the author moreso than many others.

All that to say...yes, something like a chubby elf, a sort of Santa, worn (not in a tired way though) and earthy yet young and refreshing. With a long beard. Always imagined him with a long beard. Can't remember if that is in the books or not right now.

11-20-2010, 01:04 PM	#2
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,493	Could Bombadil perhaps be a Maia? __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

11-20-2010, 05:35 PM	#3
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	See my post above. The Downs has gone deep into the detail of Bombadil's nature, possibility of Maiardom included. I believe the consensus is: no, he was not a Maia. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

12-03-2011, 11:40 PM	#6
Bom Tombadillo Wight Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Behind you . . . . BOO! Posts: 222	To get back on-topic from all the "nature of Bombadil" stuff . . . My good twin? Well, I always envision him with a sharp object or three stuck in him (downright nauseatingly cheery, that one is). More seriously, I think of him as . . . well, a semi-paternal figure. Wise and clearly old, but so active and cheerful that you don't really notice that. The sort of person who always knows what to do and has seen it all, and knows better than to be too serious. This is a bit more of a character description than a physical one of course, but that's how I see people - I probably couldn't describe my own parents to you in any detail, but I could tell you all about them. __________________ Every human should have a cat or two in their care, to teach them the meaning of the word, and to correct them. Phenris Dorph

12-23-2011, 12:20 PM	#7
leapofberen Pile O'Bones Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 14	The necessary anomaly I mostly imagine Tom as being mostly earthy...careless and unconcerned like the books say, with higher things which reminds me more of nature spirits, fairys, etc, but seemingly kinder; perhaps not any less mischievous. In "Letters" Tolkien refers to Tom as "the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxford and Berkshire countryside." He ponders if Tom could be made into the hero of a story (when he is pondering a sequel to "The Hobbit"), "or is he, as I suspect, fully enshrined in the enclosed verses?" I think (simply my opinion/interpretation) that Tom represents just that for Tolkien, the embodiment of the "vanishing" of the passing of the old world that Tolkien mourns throughout his life which seems to bleed through in his writings. To me, when I first read "Fellowship," the hobbits encounter of Tom is a welcome and wonderful diversion. I think I was really sad when they left and had to get back to the "real world" of battle, good versus evil, etc. (Still sad he was not portrayed in the movies!) Gandalf announces at the end of LOTR (paraphrase) that he is going to see Tom; that while he has been a rolling stone, Tom has been one who has more or less lain still for ages, gathering moss. Tom's power seems to be more "descent" based (earthy) rather than "ascent" based (like many of the elves, the Valar, even the dark lord.) He is limited in the range of his power, yet possesses a refreshing carelessness, an almost omnipotent kind of existence which is outside of the events of ME. He seems unconcerned with power, victory, defeat, the world of up and down, right or wrong. And yet, he is naturally pure and good...but perhaps not logical. I have to agree with the assertions that he is an anomaly, but a completely necessary one as he may be a character that very clearly reveals the heart and desire of the author moreso than many others. All that to say...yes, something like a chubby elf, a sort of Santa, worn (not in a tired way though) and earthy yet young and refreshing. With a long beard. Always imagined him with a long beard. Can't remember if that is in the books or not right now.

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10-17-2010, 07:35 PM	#1
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,493	I see Bombadil as leprechaun that is a bit taller than a dwarf (physically). I think that he was created for the same reason as the ents - to guard nature. They both are the the first living creatures on m-e, except for the valar who came to visit. The difference is that ents, in a way, die - they becoe regular trees. Tom, however, is maore like an elf - he probably didn't change one jot since any thousand years ago.

12-10-2010, 03:27 PM	#4
Khazad-dûm Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 12	The last time I read that chapter I pictured a big brown bearded, big biceped grizzly lumberjack man skipping around in the forest singing to himself. wearing a tunic and tights kinda like Link in N64's Ocarina of Time but different colours and different hat kinda like Gandalfs but not as big and a huge feather sticking out higher then the tip of his hat. I laughed to myself a lot during that chapter lol.