Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: tjg
The class I took last semester on the Lord of the Rings posed the theory that Tom Bombadil was a valor.
40 posted on 11/28/2002 10:45:39 PM PST by Festa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies ]


To: Festa
What's a valor?
41 posted on 11/29/2002 9:14:58 AM PST by tjg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

To: Festa; tjg
Festa I think meant to say Valar, meaning: The Powers...

The Valar were named, and Tom is not one of them, but it has been thought that Tom is one of the gifted spirits of Ilúvatar, or God, possibly akin to Maiar, the Wizards, and possibly something else altogether.

Valar: Encyclopedia of Arda (beware: Lots of information!)

I am content and can live with Tom being Tom. He is what he is... He is the Eldest, the Master!

Tolkien himself is uncharacteristically reticent on the question of Tom's identity:

"And even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)."
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, No 144, dated 1954

More on Tom Bombadil: Encyclopedia of Arda (good analysis of the common theories about Tom here)

42 posted on 11/29/2002 9:35:50 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson