Forums:Tom Bombadil New Theory

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My friends and I decided to write papers to celebrate the release of the Hobbit. I wrote on Tom Bombadil and I got a very positive reception to my research and new theory. I thought some you may enjoy it: http://whoistombombadil.blogspot.com/

let me know if you have any thoughts!

I like the idea of tom being not an avatar for EU but for Tolkien himself he had unlimited power within his boundary's because he's the author and its in world explanation I think because if Tolkien created the legendarium then he must be in there Throrin Longbeard 00:40, 5 April 2014 (UTC)

I haven't read your article yet, but I'd like to say that it is not a new theory; I have already read before that Tom is an avatar of the author. I think it can already be found in the Tolkien FAQ.
In any case, my "objection" is that this theory is metafictional. It explains the conceptual and literary origins of the character. However it doesn't answer the actual question about Tom's nature as a mythological being inside the context of the cosmology of Arda and the scope of the legendarium. Sage 08:00, 5 April 2014 (UTC)


You said "if Tolkien created the legendarium then he must be in there" Yes He is on legendarium. His name is J.R.R.TOLKIEN and lived at the Seventh Age of the Sun. About Tom Bombadil. There is no 'Allegory' like (Tom = Tolkien). Is well known that Tolkien did not like allegories in his work. (Sigurd 18:55, 5 April 2014 (UTC))

My own theory about Bombadil is that Tolkien included this character from one of his poems early on in the writing of the Hobbit sequel, before the tale got really deep and dark, and before he realised that this was actually the Middle Earth of his legendarium. He then left him in place, adding allusion and mystery as he attempted to make him fit. Also, regarding Tolkien's aversion to allegory, what is Leaf by Niggle if not allegory? (Bloodaxe 09:39, 19 April 2014 (UTC))