The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 1, Chapter 7 // In the House of Tom Bombadil

I've realized I love this chapter. So much.

For a long time Goldberry and Bombadil seemed like such a mismatched couple to me, but now I think it's all just beautiful. <3 His jolliness and her grace, and how they perfectly weave together such gorgeous soul-filling hospitality -- not through pointing to themselves but, with mysterious tantalizing joy, laying out food and warmth and lights and then inviting everyone to eat, and eat again.

Tolkien said he put Bombadil in because he wanted an adventure along the way. (Personally, I think part of the reason, too may have been that he just loved Bombadil and delighted in getting to spend more time with him, pure and simple. ;)) Bombadil as a character long predates the entirety of Lord of the Rings. I hadn't read either of the earlier poems about him till this week (I've linked them below if you want to check them out), but they're lighthearted and nonsensical and unexpected. They also mention Goldberry (of course), badgers, Old Man Willow, and Barrow-wights. All written years earlier. So there ye go. :)

I've heard Bombadil being described as a figure of hope, which I think could have a lot of validity, but (and this might be from reading too much Chesterton XD), I think also he could be showing us the face of true innocence -- certainly an innocence that's free from the fallenness intrinsically tied with the lust for absolute power. And thus he's the antithesis of Sauron. (Note: I'm not the first one to come up with this idea, but I've wracked my brains and honestly can't remember where I first read it. :/)

In at least one instance Tolkien referenced Bombadil as being a guardian spirit/somewhat symbolic of Old England, and in creation language he definitely has god-like qualities: needing no explanation -- he was there when the stars filled the sky and before even dwarves and elves walked the earth. And in many ways he seems to operate in Time, but also outside of Time itself. 

This is a bit of a spin-off, but this G.K.C. quote has definitely been coming to mind again and again as I've been thinking on what real innocence looks like:

“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.” G.K. Chesterton

Circling back to the beginning, does anyone else get as disoriented as the hobbits when Tom, the Master, and Goldberry (clearly akin to a queen) -- together the Lord and Lady -- wait on their guests with their own hands: bringing food and water, preparing deep soft beds; off scene, washing clothes and gardening? Both obviously bearing a deep power and authority -- worthy of honor -- yet serving with their own hands. It's so intensely beautiful.

Quotes:

• "Before long, washed and refreshed, the hobbits were seated at the table, two on each side, while at either end sat Goldberry and the Master. It was a long and merry meal. Though the hobbits ate, as only famished hobbits can eat, there was no lack. The drink in their drinking-bowls seemed to be clear cold water, yet it went to their hearts like wine and set free their voices. The guests were suddenly aware that they were singing merrily, as if it was easier and more natural than talking."
  
• "He opened his eyes and looked at them with a sudden glint of blue..."
• "He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless..."
• "After they had eaten, Goldberry sang many songs for them, songs that began merrily in the hills and fell softly down into silence; and in the silences they saw in their minds pools and waters wider than any they had known, and looking into them they saw the sky below them and the stars like jewels in the depths."
  

 

For thought:

• Have you read either of the Bombadil poems (i.e. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil or Bombadil Goes Boating)?
• As y'all know, there are zillions of Tolkien pages and threads and deep rabbit holes on the internet, but I highly recommend you skim through the Wikipedia page here on Bombadil. It's very interesting, a quick read, and pulls everything together really clearly and succinctly. At one point, Tolkien wrote that he did not think Tom was improved by philosophizing, saying at another time (one of my favorite quotes), "even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)." Do you agree?