(What follows is
post 9 of 11 exploring the mystery of Tom Bombadil)
Conclusion
At the end of this long journey it is time to reflect on what we have learned. The three major theories have been weighed, measured, and have been found wanting. The theory that Tom is the Incarnated Spirit of the Music of the Ainur succeeds where the others fail. Music, as we have seen, is crucial to everything Tom is and everything he does. This theory has the advantage of basing itself on the very essence and core of how Tolkien chose to portray Bombadil. Also, this theory has the benefit of having textual warrant for Tolkien himself alludes to other orders of spirits entering Middle Earth, some almost as powerful as the Valar. Tom fits this category perfectly so the question becomes, “how do we best talk about him?” Is he a spirit of the Forest? No, for his power goes well beyond the forest. Is he a Spirit of the entire earth? No, for that does not explain his power over demons nor his dying if Sauron should win the war. Indeed, Tom must be seen as he has been revealed to us, a rather quirky man who cannot separate anything in his life from song, even his choice of a bride! The best explanation is that he is the Spirit of the Music.
This theory should be considered a legitimate theory alongside the other three. Yet in my estimation this theory is stronger than the other theories examined above. In no way do I claim to have settled the argument but rather to have put forward a new perspective on Tom that gives fuller and more coherent answers than its predecessors. Ultimately, Tom is an enigma, and as such we should approach this discussion with care. But we can weigh the options and find which one best fits the evidence presented in Tolkien’s works. It is clear that the Valar and Maiar theories are fatally flawed and should be abandoned. So the argument really comes to Nature Spirit theory versus the Incarnated Spirit of the Music theory. These theories are very close to one another yet the evidence in this paper clearly shows that the incarnation model is more plausible to what we know of Tom because it can answer all the questions better, it has fewer inconstancies, and it takes into account the very essence of Tom as he is portrayed. Indeed, Tolkien wrote that he included Tom in the story because if Tom was not there something would be lost. Surely, nature spirits are still found in Middle Earth without Tom, but Tom’s unique relationship to the Music and his unique power through music would be lost if he did not appear. As Tom said of himself, “Can you hear him singing?”[1]
This theory should be considered a legitimate theory alongside the other three. Yet in my estimation this theory is stronger than the other theories examined above. In no way do I claim to have settled the argument but rather to have put forward a new perspective on Tom that gives fuller and more coherent answers than its predecessors. Ultimately, Tom is an enigma, and as such we should approach this discussion with care. But we can weigh the options and find which one best fits the evidence presented in Tolkien’s works. It is clear that the Valar and Maiar theories are fatally flawed and should be abandoned. So the argument really comes to Nature Spirit theory versus the Incarnated Spirit of the Music theory. These theories are very close to one another yet the evidence in this paper clearly shows that the incarnation model is more plausible to what we know of Tom because it can answer all the questions better, it has fewer inconstancies, and it takes into account the very essence of Tom as he is portrayed. Indeed, Tolkien wrote that he included Tom in the story because if Tom was not there something would be lost. Surely, nature spirits are still found in Middle Earth without Tom, but Tom’s unique relationship to the Music and his unique power through music would be lost if he did not appear. As Tom said of himself, “Can you hear him singing?”[1]
P.S. If anyone desires to reach me with questions, comments, or for any reason you can do so at rangerfromthenorth53@gmail.com
[1] FOTR, The Old Forest, 168.
This was simply amazing! Congratulations on writing such a good essay... Having read the Silmarillion 20 times, all of this made such good sense! I think that your theory is spot-on :)
ReplyDeleteDean thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to have the support of such a well read Tolkien fan! Please feel free to share this with other fans!
ReplyDeleteQuite simply brilliant. Although I've not read the Silmarillion (yet), I did research each new name, such as Valar, Maiar, The music of Ainur etc, as they came up in your essay. I've read The Lord of the Rings a few times and each time I wonder who/what is Tom Bombadill, and I think your evidence is fairly solid! Well done, and thankyou for a few hours of entertainment which gave me a deeper understanding of Tolkeins world :)
ReplyDeleteI've also considered the possibility that Tom might be the Music of the Ainur. I don't say that to try and claim any credit for the theory - whereas I mused about the possibility once or twice, you've done the (superbly researched) work of actually working it through, presenting it coherently, and weighing it against the prevailing alternate theories. But the fact that it's possible for two people to conceive of the idea independently based on the evidence of the text suggests to me that it's not just you seeing things - you can definitely tease out this concept from the text as it stands.
ReplyDeleteThe bit which made me consider the possibility is the reference to Tom falling to Sauron last. If Sauron did want to systematically destroy everything that was good in Middle-Earth, then the final stage of that would have to be a direct attack on the Music itself - because once the Music is snuffed out the very metaphysical underpinning of goodness has been killed. Conversely, if Tom were a nature spirit, Sauron wouldn't need to defeat him - once he had corrupted the world enough Tom as an avatar of the world would be corrupted in turn. You can imagine an Arda in which the Discord has become so strong that the forces of nature are entirely under the command of Sauron, but which still has a few pockets of elves and humans and so on holding out. You can't imagine the benign forces of Arda continuing if the Song has been smothered.
Also, when it comes to Tom not taking the Ring seriously enough to be a reliable guardian: in addition to the points you raise, could this be precisely because of the Ring being so alien to his nature?
ReplyDeleteWhilst he is clearly some sort of intelligent creature who can suss out on an intellectual level what the Ring is and where it comes from and all that, at the same time it's not part of the Music he represents, and so it isn't really part of his worldview or his consciousness. He wouldn't be deliberately negligent of it, but he couldn't make taking care of it a major factor of his duties because that's not what the Music is about. Indeed, arguably it would be very hard for Tom to deviate in a long-term way from his routine because I imagine it's set already by the Music itself; the contraction of his sphere of influence might indeed be representative of the fading of the Music in the face of the Discord before Iluvatar (or the Children of Iluvatar) step in to definitively drown out the Discord.
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ReplyDeleteA fascinating and well-researched theory! I've always believed Tom was a key character and it was truly sad for him to be left out of the films. I'm still not totally convinced that he is not Aule, but your construction does answer many questions and conundrums. He is too powerful to be a Maia or a simple spirit and Tolkien told us he's not Iluvatar, so that leaves had only left the option of Aule. I'd never considered the Music itself, but it does make good sense. Thanks for taking the time to write and share. Music is a glorious gift of God and a language that everyone can understand. That could be another of the wonderful deep and profound meanings to Tolkien's work. And, interestingly, if Tom is the music, what would the LOTR movies be without Howard Shore's brilliant scores? Bravo.
ReplyDeleteJason:
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed the read, if you want further reading on why Tom cannot be Aule (I really do believe this is the weakest theory) please check out this essay by Steuard Jense: http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/BombadilIsNotAule.html There willbe some overlap but all-in-all I believe he does an excellent job of demonstrating the impossibility of Tom being Aule.
Worthy knight of Arnor! The Intertubes are awash in sophomoric diatribes purporting to grok Tolkien's legacy. When I occasionally peruse TheOneRing.Net I am often appalled. But having glanced at their recent Bombadil posting I accessed your referenced link. It has been a while since I've read as enjoyable a dissertation. Ranger from the North, praise him with great praise!
ReplyDeleteSolid work. You've changed my mind. Good evidence!
ReplyDeleteFantastic essay. You have obviously thought this out and have totally convinced me that your theory is correct. Wonderful job. The best thing is that understanding Tom Bombadil is this way reveals what an important character he is and illuminates his reason for being in the story in the first place. I have always thought that the old forest, Tom Bombadil part of the story was the most boring section of LOTR but now it makes much more sense in a way that the other theories do not. Thank you and Bravo.
ReplyDeleteAmazing essay! Spent a good portion of my evening last night reading it in its entirety. For the time being, it's my favorite point-of-departure regarding Bombadill. Your points are solidly supported by the writings (and as you say, Tom himself!) and it really is the easiest explanation (should we decide to put legs on this snake) of Tom. There are many greats points of information; my favorite was the etymology of Tom's name. Great job! I look forward to reading more of your essays.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Such eloquence and reason and logic. Well done on this minor masterpiece!
ReplyDeleteA great essay with many strengths - great job! I do think there are two problems that need addressing:
ReplyDeleteEldest and Fatherless. Taken at face value does this not imply Tom existed before the Ainur... and even before the Song? (One could make a case that Tom was only speaking about Middle Earth, but...)
Knowledge of the East: If Tom is both the Music of the Ainur AND is healing Melkor's Discord, would he not have to have SOME knowledge of what is going on in Mordor?
Scott, great questions. here is my response. First, I do not think it means that Tom had to exist before the Ainur, nor do I think he had to exist before Eru, rather Tom is the first to exist within creation because he is linked to the creation act itself. he is fatherless in that no Ainur specifically is responible for his creation, or is over him (like Yavanna is over wild things and Aule is over craft-work).
DeleteSecond, yes Tom's knowledge fails out east, I mean he does know a little bit of what is occurring (that Sauron exists and is trying for domination) but his knowledge that fails is that of his ability to do anything about it. For instance, Tom says he "knows the tune" for Old Man Willow, but his knowledge, in this sense, for correcting (deafeating evil) out east fails. Why? Because as we read in the creation account, discord of Melkor and the music of the Ainur were like "two musics at utter variance" and the good could not overcome the evil. It is only through the intervention of Eru that the Discord is defeated. I hope that answers your questions
I've been very amazed with your theory and the very solid reasearch and arguments, that you've put into it. But this to me is not adequately addressed and deserves closer scrutiny. Illuvatar is the father of all, yet Tom is fatherless. If Tolkien has put this attribute into Tom's name AND the other into Illuvatar's name, I'd suspect he is intending to deepen the riddle with a contradiction of the mythical fabric itself. If you were to inspect your own theory with the same analytical shaprness that you've inspected the others, would you find your answer above satisfactory?
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DeleteYour question about Fatherless is a good question. But let us look at our options here. No matter what theory you adopt, besides Tom being Iluvatar, you have this same problem of him not being “fatherless” because he would have a creator. If Tom is a Maia, a Vala, a Nature Spirit, the Flame Imperishable, etc. he is still created for there is only one who was not created, Iluvatar. Now you may think that means we should adopt the Iluvatar theory but we simply cannot for Tolkien plainly said that is not an option! So clearly Tolkien did not mean for Fatherless to be understood as Tom being eternal/uncreated or him be Iluvatar. So what options are we left with?
DeleteWell clearly “fatherless” does not mean eternal/uncreated as you suggest it might mean. Tom, like everyone else in Middle Earth, had a beginning. So what does the term mean? It is best understood in context with being Eldest and first in time in Arda. There was none before Tom in Middle Earth. Now all of the above theories would recognize this understanding of “fatherless” (minus the invalid Iluvatar theory) and thus we are all on equal footing in explaining the idea of him being fatherless.
Where I think the Music theory is better is that if Tom is the incarnation of the Music, then his creation was utterly unique and he would be the first living being in Middle Earth. Tom is Fatherless and Eldest in Middle Earth as his origins are its existence, he “is” as it were. So yes I do believe that when examined with analytical sharpness and understanding of all that Tolkien wrote that this theory still stands strong with the idea of Tom being fatherless. We know that the term was not meant to communicate him as the creator God, because Tolkien has told us so. So any interpretation of “Fatherless” that goes the route of him being uncreated/eternal is a misunderstanding of what Tolkien meant by the term. Therefore we must adopt the understanding of Fatherless which understands it as his origin in Arda/Middle Earth.
I believe Tom is the embodiment of the Notes of the Music and Goldberry is the embodiment of the flowing of time. Tom, in an ancestral way, existed before (or parallel) to the creator as he could be called on at any time. He is literally a 'one note' character. His physical embodiment began as soon as creation did, (I believe he actually is the 'echo' of the Music left in the oceans) but was rather meaningless until, he spied Goldberry's physical conception, rustling reeds in a pool. (Think about it. Pools are silent. During creation though, from oceans rivers began to run. Flowing. Creating Time. Giving context to the beings on the most physical plane of Middle Earth.) Goldberry's physical description as a woman sitting in a pool, repetitively combing her hair just seems to shout this at me, even without further research.
ReplyDeleteThe Ring doesn't affect or worry Tom, because a note without time (and ordering and context), even amplified a million times, is still just silence. When Creation ended (If the Discord was allowed to win, the opposite of music) Tom would be the last thing left after 'time' ended: silence.
I'd like to expand on Ungoliant as well. I believe Ungoliant is the embodiment of darkness, similarly to Tom and Goldberry, but is the widow (or widower, if you prefer) of light (Just as Notes and Time or Flow are intertwined, there is no light without darkness or vice versa. The difference is one group will always be self preserving and the other group will always be at odds) Ungoliant's need to suck the embodiment of light out of existence is eventually somewhat succesful and leads to a de-facto banishment of darkness, which replaces the backdrop of darkness with a backdrop of light unmarred by shadow.
bravo!
DeletePS The things mentioned in the song that summon him are all re-compositions of creation. Hills do not just appear, and neither does wood, or fire. But none of them have any meaning or are even possible without time.
ReplyDeletePPS I think Tom Bombadil's territory being the only lands left unexplored by the races of Middle Earth is less causation and more correlation. Creation, untouched by man, is the limit of his domain. His hateful forest could reclaim creation from man, hence his seeming 'self limitation'.
ReplyDeletealso Shelob was unaffected by the Ring as Ungoliant would be. Okay I'm sorry I'll go to sleep now.
ReplyDeleteWhether this is relevant or not I don't know, but the name "Tom" comes from "Thomas", which originates from the Aramaic name for "Twin", also being the nickname of one of the 12 disciples of Jesus. "Twin" could make a little sense here, if Tom is to be portrayed as the embodiment of one of the two diametrically opposed but coexistent musics in Tolkien's world.
ReplyDeleteI think the twin path might be the way to go.
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ReplyDeleteThis was fantastic. I've read LOTR only twice but both times I the Tom Bombadil section felt awkward and out of place to me. Understanding Tom's role makes me enjoy the books even more which I didn't think was possible. Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteIt’s a brilliant piece of writing, very thorough and passionate. Amazing work!
ReplyDeleteMy personal highlights:
-tying Shelob and Galadriel’s gift with Ungoliant and light of Trees. It’s makes this scene even more stunning;
-meaning behind Tom’s name;
-and the idea that he could be incarnated Music (fraction of it). Simply beautiful.
That being said, I still think Tom is a Maia… It will be just a few quick thoughts, even though this essay is definitely worth equally solid polemic.
Many arguments are hanging on power comparisons, like what would happen if Ringless Sauron faced Tom, Gandalf etc. They are really fun to read, probably because I love Dragon Ball - but whenever I read Silmarillion and LoTR I find it impossible to establish any rigid, perfect power scale. Sure, there’s Iluvatar, Valar, Maiar etc but interactions between creatures are quite often very complicated. I think that “strength” in Tolkien’s world is more than native power level. There’s “moral strength” (maybe purity is a better term?), there are character traits and there is the influence of Fate. And on top of all that there are cloudy rules of magic. For example consider:
-Felagund vs Sauron. Felagund is naked, surrounded by enemies and yet his Song is holding Sauron back (which is mindblowing and gives me shivers every time I read it). He loses not because his magic is weaker, but because he is tainted by Kinslaying;
-Fingolfin vs Morgoth. Sure, by this point Morgoth has spent lots of his power, yet he still is the strongest on this side of the Sea - facing a Firstborn. The power gap between them is insane. But Morgoth is the only Vala who fears and he doesn’t want to fight Fingolfin whose rage and desperation seem to elevate him beyond his place in natural order. Morgoth ends up crippled and humiliated, despite winning the fight;
-Beren vs Girdle of Melian. It’s clearly stated that to cross Girdle is impossible, but Beren is “led by Fate” and so a human “defeats” Maia;
What I’m trying to say is that the exact outcome of “duels” on Arda can be very hard to predict - they have to take place in order for us to know what will happen. There are so many moving parts in Middle Earth (like Eagles :P). What’s more, some beings seem to operate in a manner that is never explained, following a hidden logic. Like Sauron who never makes an appearance in LOTR. Very intriguing! Somehow the idea of him rambling all the way to Eriador, to deal with this pesky Bombadill in person feels out of place. (Especially when I imagine him as Jackson’s spiky stove).
All of this applies to the influence of the Ring on Tom. He is unique among unique creatures and his abilities seem to puzzle almost everyone in LOTR. Gandalf would be mastered by the Ring, but Tom can wear it casually - and maybe that’s just the way it is in case of this “duel”.
(I read your piece on the Ring too. It’s really interesting, but I don’t think there’s any possibility of giving a solid proof of what would happen if Vala tried to wear the Ring. If anything, the idea that Maia in the Second Age (when the world is more “tired” and less epic) would craft something that could twist one of the Aratar into a new Dark Lord lacks… balance.)
My small arguments in favour of Tom being Maia (they got bigger when I finished editing):
>TOM AND MELIAN
ReplyDeleteI think there are two very interesting parallels between Tom and Melian - they both seem to have “dominion” over specific areas and both love Middle Earth-bound beings.
Dominion is probably not a very good word - in my opinion Tom’s attitude has more to do with love and cherishing a particular place on earth. I don’t see Tom as someone who rules over his surroundings - he stands “above” forces in his realm, but lives among them, letting them be the way they are. He doesn’t battle trees - but rather moves them aside when they get in his way (just like he does with rain). He can easily vanquish wight, but he never undertook to cleanse Barrows, to shape his realm according to some grand, “better” design. Tom’s great power is equally matched by his acceptance and gentleness.
That Gandalf’s quote about Tom being the last to fall - I imagine it as the rest of the world becoming like a dark, hostile sea under Sauron, gnawing at Bombadill’s “island of light”. It would not be a contest of personal might, but doomed struggle to keep hold of a place that would slip away from Bombadill piece by piece, turning into something foul and twisted. It’s breaking of his beloved home that would break him - much like with Melian (Thingol in place of realm).
Unlike Melian and Thingol, Tom and Goldberry have no children, but I think that’s because Melian was in love with a person and Tom is in love with Goldberry as a personification of (part) of his beloved domain.
>MASTER and FATHERLESS
This ties to Tom being his own Master and Fatherless. My take on that is that Maiar call Valar they serve their Father or their Mother - and if a Maia chooses to go their own way, they become Fatherless/ Motherless. (This way the whole Iluvatar problem is taken out of the equation). My bet on Vala who wanted to sway Tom to his side is Tulkas - they seem to have some traits in common (joy of life, laughing - and it’s easy to picture Tulkas as someone who likes to sing a lot). Tom never followed Tulkas, but he still calls himself Fatherless to underline his own independence (more on that at the very end).
>2 QUOTES FROM LOTR
About mentions of Tom that are supposed to prove he is part of the Music (Sam in Shelob’s Lair and when Frodo is leaving Middle-Earth and his last thought is about Bombadill).
Once more, your idea is amazing and it blew my mind, but then I looked at the whole thing from a structural point of view. Plotwise Tom is a side quest, something that happens as Hobbits explore the map and stuff happens to them, without any real consequences later on. Don’t get me wrong, I love this character and LOTR but there’s some clunkiness here. In my opinion all those later mentions serve to blend Tom with the whole of the narrative, reminding the reader that he happened and that he holds special meaning for characters.
And lastly:
>“ELDEST” AND “BEFORE THE DARK LORD”
ReplyDelete“Eldest, that’s what I am. Mark my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn. He made paths before the Big People, and saw the little People arriving. He was here when…the elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent. He knew dark under the stars when it was fearless—before the Dark Lord came from the Outside” (In the House of Tom Bombadil, LOTR).
Tom being the Eldest seems to pertain to his domain. He is the Eldest in there, not of the whole Arda. This is his place and he doesn’t care much about the rest of the world. Plus, if we take things that he says at face value we end up with alternative chronology too. (Big People - little People - Firstborn moving from Cuivienen - bending of the world - time before Morgoth. I’m sorry Tom, but it’s all over the place. Still, it makes perfect sense from the point of view of someone who watches the world pass by, unbothered by it).
The last sentence gave me a long pause (“before the Dark Lord came from the Outside”). It would be tempting to equate Outside with Aman in the First Age - but it wouldn’t make any sense. Back then Undying Lands were still part of the world, physically accessible. Outside has to be the Void beyond Arda and this word seems to push Tom’s past even further back. So I went back to Silmarillion:
“And the Valar drew unto them many companions, some less, some well nigh as great as themselves, and they laboured together in the ordering of the Earth and the curbing of its tumults. Then Melkor saw what was done, and that the Valar walked on Earth as powers visible, clad in the raiment of the World, and were lovely and glorious to see, and blissful, and that the Earth was becoming as a garden for their delight, for its turmoils were subdued. His envy grew then the greater within him; and he also took visible form, but because of his mood and the malice that burned in him that form was dark and terrible. And he descended upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Valar (...)”
In the beginning Arda was a garden of delight and this is when Tom experienced “fearless time” under the stars - that ended when Melkor entered from the Outside… Everything seems to fit!
And the final tiny theory: maybe Tulkas was late descending on Arda because he was bent on convincing certain strong-willed, eccentric Maia to come to his service? But the Maia would not budge, his eyes already glued to that one spot he would claim as his own?
Now, that was afternoon well spent!
I respectively disagree. Tom is not the music of the ainur. Nor is he a valar, maia, eru, tolkien, the reader or anything else. Why does he have to "be" anything? Tolkien himself said that some things must remain mysterious in any narrative, "especially if an explanation really exists." I don't find any argument which postulates him "being" something, even such a one as this which is clearly well thought out in great detail, because I don't see the need for some higher explanation.
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