Maybe it was an act of subconscious self-preservation but I had completely forgotten about the character of Tom Bombadil in ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ I’m now 150 pages into my re-read of the classic fantasy trilogy at a staggering pace of seven pages a day. Frodo, Samwise, Pippin & Merry should already have been dead about a million times over but for the heroics of Mr. Bombadil and his ethereal companion, Goldberry.
A quick flick through any of the LOTR fan forums will tell you that old Tom is a far from popular character. He’s described as annoying and irrelevant to the story. And, yes, his unending gibberish, nonsensical verses and desire to break into song and dance at every available opportunity would tend to grate on the nerves after a while. Even Tolkien said he only included him in the tale as he was a leftover character from an earlier short story.
This probably explains why Peter Jackson did not include him in the movies. Yet, without Tom there would be no movies. Frodo would never have made it to Rivendell, never mind the slopes of Mount Doom, as Tom twice saved the hapless hobbits from Old Willow-Man and the Barrow Wraith. As well as keeping them well fed, tending to their ponies and single-handedly getting them to Bree where they are handed over to their next saviour, the mysterious Strider.
Have you a Tom Bombadil in your life? That annoying, frustrating person who you want to strangle half the time, yet couldn’t cope without? I fear I may be one as well as knowing of others. Well, if you do, don’t be too hard on them. Bite your lip, count to ten, and smile. True friends come in all shapes and sizes but they share one common characteristic – they will be there when you need them most. Just like good old Tom Bombadil.
Black Thoughts 
Pleased to see you feature Tom in your post. It may have been an afterthought by Tolkien to include him but as you point out he is essential to developing the story -more to the point he is a character who lives in two worlds. He comes across as an eccentric nature loving character but in essence is a positive force for good that the story needs.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Agreed. Without him there would have been no Fellowship.
LikeLike
I’m one of those who don’t like him. It was just odd placement to me and stopped the story
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s not everybody’s cup of tea ☕️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually really love Tom Bombadil! I think he is a great character and adds to the mystery if the magic in this universe. I agree he seems a bit irrelevant but the way he saves the day helps you understand how far the hobbits have come when he is no longer needed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
well said Stephen
LikeLike
Thank you Mark.
LikeLike
I really love the Tom Bombadil passages in the book. He’s never made it into any of the adaptations as I suspect he would be difficult to pull off convincingly, and the Old Forest parts don’t really contribute to the story that much.
Tom Bombadil was actually a Dutch doll that his son Michael had. Tolkien wrote two poems about him, which are in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and somehow he ended up in Lord of the Rings.
I love meandering through the Lord of the Rings, sometimes I will reread passages I like, or even reread the entire chapter.
In the extended film version of the Two Towers they give Treebeard some of Tom’s lines, and even have the Old Man Willow character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Old Man Willow was a rascal lol
LikeLike
Lord of ring is one of my favourite movies
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too 😊😊
LikeLike
Hope you will like my blog 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tom Bombadil is one of my favourite characters and I was really upset he wasn’t included in the films. He is such a mystery!
LikeLike
Most definitely 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just may be a Tom! That unfiltered, outspoken, loves to help and care for my friends! But drives people crazy sometimes with my high energy. I would have liked to see him in the movies
LikeLike
Do you live in the middle of a forest?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha on a golf course 🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this comparison. Best friends are often like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Relentlessly positive is how I would describe Tom Bombadil, in a usually productive and useful way. Like you I may well be one at times!
LikeLike
Ha Ha. We all have a bit of Tom in us 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never read this series before. Learning about this character is new for me. I have friends who do get on my nerves, however like you said in the post I couldn’t live without them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are singing off the same hymn sheet then
LikeLiked by 1 person