The White Council

Re: Tom Bombadil and the Earth

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

: I've always felt that Galdor's remark was a bit metaphorical. Tom has always been around like the world the Elves know, and if the Earth itself could not defy Sauron, then how could any being who dwelt upon it -- even one as ancient and mysterious as Tom -- hope to defy him?

As we all should know by now, always be wary of metaphors in Tolkien! They are sometimes literally true, sometimes only figurative. But oftentimes they blend an actual description with a "feeling" that something exudes. Personally, I would say that Galdor's remark is more than metaphorical, that there is meaning behind it. But what that meaning is definitively, I don't know (perhaps even Galdor did not "know," speaking only intuitively, maybe, or making a shrewd guess off the cuff).

: Galdor goes on to say "what power still remains lies with us, here in Imladris, or with Cirdan at the Havens, or in Lorien." What power does he speak of, that he deems it is greater than Bombadil's (or perhaps, if not greater, then more appropriate for defying Sauron)? Does Galdor refer to warriors, wisdom, or the collective strengths of the Elves of Imladris, Mithlond, and Lorien?

To my mind, he is speaking firstly of the only three high-elf kingdoms left in the northwest of middle-earth. (True, Lorien is a Sylvan realm, but it is ruled in part by Galadriel.) He sees little hope in men or in the scattered strength of dwarves. So I think Galdor is making reference to all the various powers of the elves in those realms - in arms, in wisdom, and in what can only be called "magic" by us (with our limited vocabulary ;) ). Also, I've always thought Galdor was making a sidelong reference to the elven rings. From what I remember, Cirdan gave Gandalf Narya in secret. So perhaps it was known only to a few. Galdor would then be making an obsolete reference. Elrond would have gotten the reference, and understood that Galdor's thoughts were off the mark (in more ways than one).

In any case, I would say Galdor is correct about his supposition - that Bombadil does not have the power to resist Sauron. He can sing pretty well, and he can dance a mean jig; but he could not defeat the armies of the Dark Lord, if he came marching victoriously from battles against the armies of Gondor, Rohan, Lorien, Rivendell, Mithlond, Mirkwood, Dale, Erebor, and the Iron Hills. Bombadil could do nothing, except, as Gandalf says, be last. Indeed, I don't even think Sauron would need all his armies. He would come to defeat Bombadil, not because Bombadil's power was any threat to his domination, but rather because Tom and Goldberry were an affront to it, being free and happy and in love.

What do you think?

- Dave (formerly known as creamy goodness)