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

Lalwendë · 05-27-2005, 12:42 PM

To me the chapters with Tom Bombadil, from the Old Forest to the Barrow Downs, are very important to the story. Here we have the Hobbits making the transition from the 'safe' and almost-but-not-quite familiar world of The Shire to the world of Men. Even the Elves they meet in The Shire have an ethereal, elegiac quality; they are gentle and are leaving the concerns of Middle Earth behind, whereas the other Elves we will go on to meet are much more solid, even slightly dangerous.

The Hobbits, unlike the band of Elves, are in effect joining Middle Earth. The episodes in these chapters serve to form a bridge between The Shire and the safety there and the world of Men which is full of tangible danger. In the story we are about to jump from one type of danger to another. All the Hobbits must do in The Shire is keep hidden from the Ringwraiths and keep moving. Once they leave The Shire they will meet a myriad of dangers which must be faced up to.

These chapters, to me, also serve to provide an opportunity for Tolkien to deepen and develop the tale. In a story of a journey it would be all too easy to simply allow the narrative impulse to sweep the characters and readers on ahead, but reflective points, such as the interlude at Tom's house are necessary to allow development of some of the concepts.

And another reason strikes me as to why these chapters are important. They are foreshadowings of other chapters/events to come. The Old Forest is a remnant of Fangorn and the anger of Old Man Willow is later seen multiplied in the Huorns. The mysterious atmosphere of Tom and Goldberry's house mirrors that of Galadriel's realm (and it might be interesting to compare these two women), and memories of the Barrow Wight's actions serve to underline how perilous the Paths of the Dead are.

My final reason as to why I think the chapters are important is purely personal, and that's that I like the mystical, magical atmosphere they impart. These chapters are full of pagan or old religion atmosphere, echoes of folklore; they conjour up an image of an ancient England and I love the archaeological detail. I realise Tom's poems aren't to everyone's taste, as they are a bit mad, but I find them quite funny.

05-27-2005, 12:42 PM	#10
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	To me the chapters with Tom Bombadil, from the Old Forest to the Barrow Downs, are very important to the story. Here we have the Hobbits making the transition from the 'safe' and almost-but-not-quite familiar world of The Shire to the world of Men. Even the Elves they meet in The Shire have an ethereal, elegiac quality; they are gentle and are leaving the concerns of Middle Earth behind, whereas the other Elves we will go on to meet are much more solid, even slightly dangerous. The Hobbits, unlike the band of Elves, are in effect joining Middle Earth. The episodes in these chapters serve to form a bridge between The Shire and the safety there and the world of Men which is full of tangible danger. In the story we are about to jump from one type of danger to another. All the Hobbits must do in The Shire is keep hidden from the Ringwraiths and keep moving. Once they leave The Shire they will meet a myriad of dangers which must be faced up to. These chapters, to me, also serve to provide an opportunity for Tolkien to deepen and develop the tale. In a story of a journey it would be all too easy to simply allow the narrative impulse to sweep the characters and readers on ahead, but reflective points, such as the interlude at Tom's house are necessary to allow development of some of the concepts. And another reason strikes me as to why these chapters are important. They are foreshadowings of other chapters/events to come. The Old Forest is a remnant of Fangorn and the anger of Old Man Willow is later seen multiplied in the Huorns. The mysterious atmosphere of Tom and Goldberry's house mirrors that of Galadriel's realm (and it might be interesting to compare these two women), and memories of the Barrow Wight's actions serve to underline how perilous the Paths of the Dead are. My final reason as to why I think the chapters are important is purely personal, and that's that I like the mystical, magical atmosphere they impart. These chapters are full of pagan or old religion atmosphere, echoes of folklore; they conjour up an image of an ancient England and I love the archaeological detail. I realise Tom's poems aren't to everyone's taste, as they are a bit mad, but I find them quite funny. __________________ Gordon's alive!