Bombadil
Tom Bombadil is an enigma. He seems incongruous with the rest of the world. Who is he? What is he? Why is he?
Tom Bombadil defies categorization and labeling. He will not fit into any neat and tidy box. He fits in to no other race or grouping. He is his own. He might even seem to defy orthodoxy, yet possibly he is the most orthodox of all.
Tom Bombadil, he is master. Yet he is master in his own realm only, by his own will. He is a complete, full, mature man. He is prophet, speaking truth and commanding with authority. He is priest, performing his rituals incessantly and exuberantly. He is king, punishing evil deeds and dispensing spoils of victory. He is a full man and he is content. He is Adam as Adam was meant to be.
Tom Bombadil does not meddle in affairs outside his sphere. It is not that he does not know what passes outside his realm, but that he is content with the lot dealt to him. He seeks nothing beyond that. Let Gandalf fly hither and yon, let Elrond give sound counsel, let the Rangers protect the free and simple, Bombadil sings and rejoices over his land. He does not do this as one without authority or might or wisdom. Yet he wears his own authority lightly, and does not take himself seriously.
Tom Bombadil is the personification of joie de vivre. He tromps and gathers lilies for his fair wife, whom he will not leave waiting. He sings constantly. His boots are yellow. His chief role seems to be simply enjoying creation, glorying in his land. And glory he does; if ever glory was a verb, Bombadil is its best subject. He personifies joy.
Tom Bombadil is master, yet he coexists with evil and shadow as part of the world and part of the story. He has power over the evil, the dark, the creepy in his realm, and they obey his voice, yet he does not drive out Old Man Willow nor the Barrow Wights. He enjoys the world, yet he does not purge it; he does not seek to make it a Thomas Kinkade portrait. His realm is not Nice, though he has the power to make it so.
Tom Bombadil is the only character in Middle Earth over whom the Ring holds no sway. He alone has the strength of personality to treat it with jest. Perhaps he is not wisest, but he is certainly the least concerned with power and control. It is not that he doesn’t care whether or not Sauron grows in power, but he is content that his role is within his small realm only and does not seek to grow his influence.
Tom Bombadil’s might is in song and exuberance and love and not in strength or counsel. His assigned portion is in living his restricted life, continually glorifying the Creator for what has been created through his enjoyment of every minute of life — not because it is short, for his life is longest, but because it is glorious.
The world contains already too many Sarumans and Boromirs who believe that rules do not apply to them, that they can accomplish Good through foul means while also achieving personal power and glory.
The world contains already too many gold-driven Balins and Dains, who accomplish their own demise through delving too deep and seeking always to accomplish and acquire more.
The world contains already too many Bill Fernys and Sackville-Bagginses, small-minded and selfish.
The world needs Gandalfs and Aragorns and Faramirs who protect the free lands without receiving credit or thanks, through whose actions the simple are allowed to remain simple and live peaceful and quiet lives.
The world needs more Elronds and Galadriels who maintain realms of peace and beauty, who speak with the wisdom of ages, who give sound counsel.
The world certainly needs more Samwise Gamgees, duty-bound and loyal, rising to great deeds when called upon, but most content when living a quiet family life.
However, what we hope is to give the world at least one more Bombadil.
Is this a middle name, or a simple blessing?
I love this stage before a baby. It is as if we can see them, fully grown, exactly as they are meant to be. Whether they will rise to the occasion or not is perhaps almost completely out of our control, and yet we aim to help them get there, do we not?
To most of his extended family’s dismay, Bombadil is his middle name.
To his father’s chagrin, the post is an explanation of why it’s his middle name.
Matt correctly pointed out that the post was in the vein of Bilbo, not Bombadil.
The world needs a couple more Bilbos, too, I say, and I don’t mind that role. :)
I’m torn. On one hand, Colbert approves of Bombadil. On the other, Gaiman does not.
Gaiman looks like Brendan, after a few more years and a few more hard drinks.
Me? I am even now working on some yellow boots. :)
He’s seriously worth reading, has even written some great children’s books. I could bring you some when I bring Kirsten down later today!
Yeah, I read Dad’s review. Sure, I’d read them! A book without evil is an evil book, even in children’s literature. I have actually never read any sort of “undead” fiction except Dracula, and I am curious to read a well-written sample (i.e. I will not be reading Twilight). :)