bombadils influence on our reading of the narrative - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 05-27-2005, 11:08 PM

Wow, Kuruharan! I actually owned that magazine issue at one time! (Mythlore #47) - but I forgot about the Aulë connection. Thanks for a trip down memory lane.

Saurreg · 05-28-2005, 12:27 AM

Tom Bombadil was very distructing. But then again to me, the first part of FoTR was pretty draggy. Only after they started the quest did things start to liven up. IMO of course!

I always wondered why was Tom Bombadil and Goldberry included in the story. Perhaps Tolkien felt that it was too early to introduce Strider or other characters and hence invented a totally new being to fit the loop?

Kath · 05-28-2005, 05:04 AM

Quote:

(I don't know why he would have boundaries though.)

It could be that his power faded over the years, or that he chose to become reclusive as he did not want to be an influence on ME anymore. The Valar had pretty much disappeared outside of myth and though there were the Maiar like Gandalf the people of ME knew them simply as wizards. Maybe he thought he would not be counted for much anymore.

littlemanpoet · 05-28-2005, 11:14 AM

There is no proof that Tom Bombadil and Goldberry were Maiar. It's as reasonable to conjecture it as anything else, but it's far from certain.

As for Tolkien's reason for including Tom, he liked the guy and wanted him in. When Strider first appeared in the inn at Bree, it was as much a surprise to Tolkien as it was to the Hobbits, according to one of his many letters.

05-28-2005, 12:27 AM	#2
Saurreg Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In self imposed exile... Posts: 465	Tom Bombadil was very distructing. But then again to me, the first part of FoTR was pretty draggy. Only after they started the quest did things start to liven up. IMO of course! I always wondered why was Tom Bombadil and Goldberry included in the story. Perhaps Tolkien felt that it was too early to introduce Strider or other characters and hence invented a totally new being to fit the loop? __________________ "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. " ~Voltaire

05-27-2005, 11:08 PM	#1
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Wow, Kuruharan! I actually owned that magazine issue at one time! (Mythlore #47) - but I forgot about the Aulë connection. Thanks for a trip down memory lane.

05-28-2005, 11:14 AM	#4
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	There is no proof that Tom Bombadil and Goldberry were Maiar. It's as reasonable to conjecture it as anything else, but it's far from certain. As for Tolkien's reason for including Tom, he liked the guy and wanted him in. When Strider first appeared in the inn at Bree, it was as much a surprise to Tolkien as it was to the Hobbits, according to one of his many letters.