Tom Bombadil's Origin
by Zackary Golden
As for his Middle-earth origins, I think Tom Bombadil is a manifestation of the elements of nature, in dealing with the area of the Old Forest that existed in the original theme present in Illuvatar's mind. That is to say that he existed in the mind of the one all-father before the making of the world satisfying Goldberry's claims in the book. This means that Illuvatar's thought was existence itself. Maybe the potential for existence lies on another plane, and it is simply brought to this one by Eru and the Valar. But above all else Tom's reason for being should not be sought for too deeply because I don't think Tolkien ever had one. He is made to represent how a person who lives for the study of nature and puts his heart outside of himself into other things could lose regard for all of the other cares of the world. Bombadil simply represents the feeling one gets when he/she is completely happy and carefree in the woods on a beautiful day. He/she may be compelled to dancing about and singing merry tunes. Click here to read or post comments.
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