Here goes. The obligatory discussion of Tom Bombadil. A rite of passage for any self-respecting fantasy nerd. I won’t speculate about Bombadil’s nature, origins, etc., because Tolkien himself is on record saying he is an enigma. Instead, I want to discuss the purpose he served in Tolkien’s narrative. Many criticize his inclusion in the books. I understand the criticisms. I hope that I can explain the reasons why Bombadil works, and works brilliantly.

Tom Bombadil is a powerful literary foil with Frodo. He’s the very first character Frodo meets after leaving the Shire. Bombadil rescues Frodo twice, once from the tree and once from the barrows. In both cases, Frodo’s vulnerability and ignorance contrasts with Bombadil’s absolute dominion and deep understanding.

Shortly after Frodo leaves his sacred boundary, the Shire, we see Bombadil unwilling to cross an arbitrary line that is his boundary. Frodo gives up everything in a self-sacrifice, and Bombadil remains in his sheltered, self-centered world. The contrast is particularly painful given how Bombadil should have been the perfect savior for their predicament with the ring.

The objection Gandalf raises to offering the ring to Bombadil further shows how Bombadil and Frodo are opposites. The same attribute that qualified Frodo to bear the ring disqualified Bombadil: character. Gandalf essentially said that Bombadil would not take the ring seriously enough to be a safe guardian. What a damning statement about Bombadil’s character. How could a deific being that loves living things NOT care about something that threatens all living things? The same character flaw behind Bombadil’s refusal to leave his home makes him ill-suited to bear the ring: self-centered indifference for the rest of the world.

Bombadil underscores two tragedies. Frodo’s tragedy is obvious. Bombadil’s tragedy is subtle. We see a tragedy in Bombadil’s absolute capacity going to utter waste. Imagine how much suffering Bombadil could have averted.

Tolkien’s mentions of Bombadil demonstrate his intent. Two mentions have already been discussed: the beginning and the Council of Elrond. Tolkien’s final mention also serves his purpose. Right before the Scouring of the Shire, Gandalf leaves the hobbits behind to go spend time with Bombadil. This subtle name-drop reminds us that Bombadil remains, stagnant and unchanged. Tolkien’s subsequent writing shows how much the hobbits have grown, and we see the depth of what Frodo gave up.

Bombadil is polarizing for many Tolkien readers. I understand many of the complaints people have about Bombadil. His inclusion feels like an interruption to the narrative. He would have been a disaster in the film adaptations. Imagine the hobbits fleeing the wraiths, only to find Robin Williams in yellow boots and a blue jacket, singing and dancing. Yeah, it would have been awful. I like what The Rings of Power did, giving us Bombadil in a different context that worked in that medium.

I love how Tolkien included Bombadil, and how he used him to show deep, poignant themes without hitting us over the head with them. He works as a powerful demonstration of who Frodo is, by showing us Frodo’s sharp opposite.