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Oldest and Fatherless: The Terrible Secret of Tom Bombadil (2011)

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Re: Oldest and Fatherless: The Terrible Secret of Tom Bombadil (2011)

#3

Post by tevon »

To me, Tom Bombadil is the introduction of natural magic. He is nature, indicating to the reader that there is a source of magic beyond the elves, Wizards, and Sauron.

There are many magical creatures in Middle-Earth without a described source, which to me makes the whole story feel more magic. The Ents probably being the chief example.

Another important role of Tom’s is his introduction of magic and power outside of the “good vs evil” struggle.

Re: Oldest and Fatherless: The Terrible Secret of Tom Bombadil (2011)

#4

Post by stevekemp »

tevon wrote: post #3

To me, Tom Bombadil is the introduction of natural magic. He is nature, indicating to the reader that there is a source of magic beyond the elves, Wizards, and Sauron. There are many magical creatures in Middle-Earth without a described source, which to me makes the whole story feel more magic. The Ents probably being the chief example. Another important role of Tom’s is his introduction of magic and power outside of…

> The Ents probably being the chief example.

The Ents were made by Yavanna, in the same way that Aulë made the Dwarves, according to my memories of the Silmarillion.

They awoke at the coming of others, and they were taught speech by the Elves.

Re: Oldest and Fatherless: The Terrible Secret of Tom Bombadil (2011)

#5

Post by JohnJamesRambo »

Interesting ideas but having listened to a mountain of Tolkien Professor podcasts, I don’t think this is a canonical view of Bombadil. My impression is that he is not evil, he is just so old and powerful that he doesn’t care about power anymore.

Re: Oldest and Fatherless: The Terrible Secret of Tom Bombadil (2011)

#6

Post by bowsamic »

tevon wrote: post #3

To me, Tom Bombadil is the introduction of natural magic. He is nature, indicating to the reader that there is a source of magic beyond the elves, Wizards, and Sauron. There are many magical creatures in Middle-Earth without a described source, which to me makes the whole story feel more magic. The Ents probably being the chief example. Another important role of Tom’s is his introduction of magic and power outside of…

Yeah I agree, and I don't think it needs to be complicated beyond that point. Him and the other stuff that happens very close to that point (Old Man Willow and the barrow-wight) are just showing that this is a naturally magical world without being tied to just elves and wizards and rings. Unfortunately the movies did away with almost all of that part of the books, making it more like a Harry Potter style of magic: simply that there are indeed magic beings and wizards but generally the world itself is un-magical.

Re: Oldest and Fatherless: The Terrible Secret of Tom Bombadil (2011)

#9

Post by xxs »

tevon wrote: post #3

To me, Tom Bombadil is the introduction of natural magic. He is nature, indicating to the reader that there is a source of magic beyond the elves, Wizards, and Sauron. There are many magical creatures in Middle-Earth without a described source, which to me makes the whole story feel more magic. The Ents probably being the chief example. Another important role of Tom’s is his introduction of magic and power outside of…

Some researchers consider Tom to be the 'reader'
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