Who or What is Tom Bombadil? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 04-10-2006, 04:10 PM

But if Tom represents or symbolises something that would otherwise be left out, what does that make him - what is he?. Goldberry simply says 'He is', & then goes on to qualify that statement (or is she actually 'qualifying' it - maybe she's actually making another, different, statement about him) by saying 'He is as you see him.' It seems that she is saying He is what he appears to be - he doesn't wear a 'mask'.

Yet from Tom's statements about himself it seems he is far more than he appears to be. Unless all Tom's statements about himself are attempts to communicate what should be apparent in his very 'appearance' but aren't.

Its obvious that Tolkien knew exactly who & what Tom was but refused to say. One wonders why.

He is like a window onto a great Mystery - the mystery of Being. Contemplating Tom is a bit like contemplating infinity.

View Poll Results: Who or What is Tom Bombadil
A nature spirit?	14	29.17%
The spirit of Middle-earth itself?	11	22.92%
A Maiar?	5	10.42%
A Vala?	3	6.25%
An Elf?	0	0%
A Dwarf?	1	2.08%
An immortal Man?	0	0%
The reader?	1	2.08%
Eru?	0	0%
I'll tell you in my post!	13	27.08%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

04-10-2006, 04:10 PM	#34
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	But if Tom represents or symbolises something that would otherwise be left out, what does that make him - what is he?. Goldberry simply says 'He is', & then goes on to qualify that statement (or is she actually 'qualifying' it - maybe she's actually making another, different, statement about him) by saying 'He is as you see him.' It seems that she is saying He is what he appears to be - he doesn't wear a 'mask'. Yet from Tom's statements about himself it seems he is far more than he appears to be. Unless all Tom's statements about himself are attempts to communicate what should be apparent in his very 'appearance' but aren't. Its obvious that Tolkien knew exactly who & what Tom was but refused to say. One wonders why. He is like a window onto a great Mystery - the mystery of Being. Contemplating Tom is a bit like contemplating infinity. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."