A mystery within a mystery, involving Tom Bombadil. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Fingolfin II · 06-24-2004, 08:19 PM

I also don't own a copy of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, but my guess is that he is touched by the brooch's beauty, and that it could be a symbol of the beauty of the environment before the Barrow-wights and 'sinister' trees (i.e. Old Man Willow) moved into the Barrow-Downs.

Quote:

'Here is a pretty toy for Tom and his for his lady! Fair was she who long ago wore this on her shoulder. Goldberry shall wear it now, and we will not forget her!

This suggest to me that this was worn by some beautiful Elven lady in the First Age, possibly even Luthien or her Maia mother, Melian. As Goldberry is described as fair as 'a young elf-queen clad in living flowers', no doubt the beauty of probably a dead, or gone, Elf lady who wore this long ago brought to mind Tom's beautiful mistress, Goldberry. So I think this is probably a better answer than the one above, and that he remembered not only the beautiful Elf lady long ago, but all Elves that have perished and gave it to Goldberry in memoriam of them.

Bombadil · 06-24-2004, 09:44 PM

Thank you! I completely forgot to put in that part of the quote which was very important! That is a very good theory, and most likely true, I just wonder if there is any evidence or not to the exact nature of the object.

**The Saucepan Man** · 06-25-2004, 04:20 AM

There is an interesting discussion of Bombadil's brooch here.

Quote:

This suggest to me that this was worn by some beautiful Elven lady in the First Age

As noted in the thread linked to above, the brooch is more likely to have belonged to a lady of the race of Man, as the Barrow-Downs were used as burial sites by the Edain in the First Age and by the Kingdom of Cardolan in the Third Age.

Lalaith · 06-25-2004, 04:55 AM

Thanks Mr Saucepanman, I had a feeling we'd talked about this before...but I must say this is one of the things I love about Tolkien, these little throwaway lines which hint at hidden historical texture. It's what helps make Middle Earth feel such a real place.

Bombadil · 06-25-2004, 09:48 AM

Thanks Saucepan!

I suppose I didn't look hard enough, I apologize! Perhaps we could change the topic to where I could find The Adventures of Tom Bombadil cheap, or if someone has read the book of poems.

Fingolfin II · 06-25-2004, 06:18 PM

Try looking at your local, school or State Library. My school has The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. If you're looking to buy it, then try Amazon, or Collin's Books, or Angus and Robertson or a good site for out-of-print books is Biblioz.com.au.

Note that these are all Australian websites, except for Amazon. Hope that helps!

Rinfanawen · 06-29-2004, 12:48 PM

Well, while we're on the topic of where to find The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, I have a question. Is there more than one version of the poems? I own a copy of it that is called The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. It is said to contain 16 poems in it. My suspicion arose when Bombadil said:

Quote:

Perhaps the answer lies in the poem of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, but I do not own a copy - because I don't have 300 dollars to buy one!

My copy came in a book with, I think, 6 other things written by Tolkien, and my mom got it for me for about $40.00. Is this the real version, or is there another version out there that I don't know about? I would really like to know if I have the real thing or not.

06-24-2004, 09:44 PM	#2
Bombadil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Old Forest Posts: 488	Thank you! I completely forgot to put in that part of the quote which was very important! That is a very good theory, and most likely true, I just wonder if there is any evidence or not to the exact nature of the object. __________________ "'Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.'"

06-25-2004, 09:48 AM	#5
Bombadil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Old Forest Posts: 488	Thanks Saucepan! I suppose I didn't look hard enough, I apologize! Perhaps we could change the topic to where I could find The Adventures of Tom Bombadil cheap, or if someone has read the book of poems. __________________ "'Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.'"

06-25-2004, 06:18 PM	#6
Fingolfin II Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Where you want me to be Posts: 1,036	Try looking at your local, school or State Library. My school has The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. If you're looking to buy it, then try Amazon, or Collin's Books, or Angus and Robertson or a good site for out-of-print books is Biblioz.com.au. Note that these are all Australian websites, except for Amazon. Hope that helps! __________________ Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.

06-25-2004, 04:55 AM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Thanks Mr Saucepanman, I had a feeling we'd talked about this before...but I must say this is one of the things I love about Tolkien, these little throwaway lines which hint at hidden historical texture. It's what helps make Middle Earth feel such a real place.