An Examination of Tom Bombadil

Tom Bombadil is one of the most puzzling and engaging characters to appear in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He first shows up to save Merry and Pippin from the malevolent spirit Old Man Willow, and makes a grand entrance with his ridiculous, brightly colored clothing and cavorting about. He then takes the hobbits into his home for two nights, providing them with safe shelter in a dangerous area. He entertains them (and the reader) with a variety of songs, stories and food. Later, he again shows up to rescue the hobbits from the Barrow-wight. His weapon of choice is song, as he sings a tune to both Old Man Willow and the wight to drive them off. Interestingly, he doesn’t appear to harm Old Man Willow as much as just chase him off, although he does appear to vanquish the wight. It is difficult to gauge Bombadil’s power. Tom states that he is the “Eldest,” and that he was around long before any other beings, and even before the very formation of the landscape. While he evidently is “the master” of his domain, Gandalf comments at the Council of Elrond that he always stays within “bounds that he has set.” Why would a being of seemingly immense power stay within such a limited area? Tom himself states that he does not leave the Old Forest, and one has to wonder why when the fate of the free world is being decided.
At the council of Elrond, the idea of obtaining Bombadil’s help in the fight against the ring is brought up. Many of the council’s representatives are in favor of the idea, and there does seem to be some merit to the thought. While the hobbits were staying with Bombadil, he took the ring from Frodo and slipped it on – and nothing happened! In fact, Tom actually made the ring itself disappear, although it is unclear if this was mere sleight of hand. Also, when Frodo put on the ring, Tom was able to see exactly where Frodo stood, a feat accomplished by no one else. He is the only being in the entire trilogy, as well, who does not appear to be tempted by the ring. However, Gandalf, who appears to have some dislike for Bombadil, insists that Bombadil does not have power over the ring, but merely that the ring has no power over him. Gandalf also states that, if given the ring, Tom “would soon forget it, or most likely throw it away. Such things have no hold on his mind.”
Why does Tom care so little about the ring? After all, it is agreed upon at the Council of Elrond that the concentrated might of Sauron could not be “defied by Bombadil alone,” and that if Sauron does indeed win the war, Tom will fall “Last as he was First.” Tolkien himself said, in one of his many letters, that “ultimately only the victory of the West will allow Bombadil to continue, or even to survive.” Tom Bombadil apparently is some kind of recluse or hermit, who decided long ago to leave the world to its own doings. He still keeps up to date on what is happening, but has no desire to alter the course of events. No clear explanation for Tom’s apparent apathy is forthcoming. In this, as in all things, Tom truly remains a delightful mystery.

- Sikatanon

~ by gablogger on September 21, 2007.