On the Importance of Tom Bombadil
Though his appearance is brief, Tom Bombadil is an important part of The Fellowship of the Ring written by J.R.R. Tolkien. In the film adaptation of the same name directed by Peter Jackson, the chapters containing Bombadil are omitted. According to Jackson, “The main reason [Bombadil was omitted] is not just time or pace, but one of simple narrative focus ... the Bombadil sequence has so little to do with Sauron or the Ring, it is difficult to justify the screen time. It simply doesn't give us any vital new information. A very simple rule of thumb that I use in movie storytelling is to try and further the story with each new scene” (“LotR Film Changes”). According to this justification, Jackson sees the series as simply a war of the One Ring and Sauron’s defeat. However, Tolkien’s story is much more than that. Although Tom Bombadil did not have any direct connection with Sauron, he still played a crucial part to both the plot and development of the characters, particularly Frodo Baggins and his companions.
Bombadil has a history beyond the races of Wizards, Elves, and Men. “Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... he knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless–before the Dark Lord came from Outside” (Tolkien 131). Tom is an enigma, a delight in the centre of fear, and a much-needed alleviation from the intensity of the quest to Mordor. Frodo's glimpses of happiness are rare and add hope to the darkness of Tolkien's story. Without Bombadil's cheer, the first half of the film was a scramble through the many dangers Frodo encountered. Frodo was as if carried by the wind, without choice or knowledge, from the doorstep of Bag End straight to Rivendell...
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...s that yet. Take off your golden ring!” (133)
Bombadil is the only character in the novel that has this resistance to the Ring. Jackson argues that Bombadil does not serve a purpose to the story, but in fact, one could argue that he embodies a major theme of the series: the corruption of power. Practically everyone in the story feared the One Ring, including beings as powerful as Gandalf and Galadriel, and would avoid touching it because it would corrupt them. Tom Bombadil touched the One Ring. He did not fear it nor desire it, and so it did not corrupt him.
For these reasons, Bombadil is not as unimportant as Jackson states. Behind Bombadil’s simple facade are hints of great knowledge and mystery. He is indeed a crucial part of the plot and contributes to Frodo’s character development, while also serving as a glimmer of hope in the dark reality of Tolkien’s world.
Bilbo cleverly eluded Smaug’s temptation, spared the life of foul creature Gollum, and demonstrate courage more and more throughout his journey. These exquisite traits made Bilbo into the revered character that was loved and respected for generations of readers. Throughout the book, Bilbo’s character had changed. At first, he was the ordinary hobbit who described adventures as “Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things” (4) but by the end of his journeys stated to Thorin, “I am glad that I have shared in your perils” (290). Bilbo’s ability to fight evil, make new friends, and to look beyond his maps and books enable him to become a hero. As Gandalf once said at the very beginning, “There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself” (19). Gandalf was right. What appeared to be an uneasy hobbit who fainted at the thought of adventures, turned out to be a brave leader, a compassionate friend, and an inspiring
Peter Jackson’s film “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” revolves around a young hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins and his unique group of companions. They go on a journey to destroy the One Ring of Sauron (the Dark Lord). In short, the One Ring has malevolent powers to whomever wears it.
Then Sauron, an old, undefeated enemy, began to arise once again and grow in power. Likewise, the multitudes of lands already under his rule began to grow increasingly in number. When Gandalf discovered that the mere trinket of a ring that was given to Frodo was the Ruling Ring, Frodo’s world fell into chaos. Worst...
Through his burden of carrying the ring, Frodo is subject to many new perspectives that make him realize the importance of the group. Without the help of the others, especially Sam, Frodo would have not been able to accomplish the great task he was given. At first Frodo does not want Sam to come along as he feels it’s too dangerous to subject his friend to. This illustrates his perspective in the beginning of the story of being selfish and thinking that his journey can be taken alone, “It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam," said Frodo, "and I could not have borne that.""Not as certain as being left behind," said Sam."But I am going to Mordor.""I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.” He later learns through new perspectives that without the help of Sam he would not have gotten far in his journey. Frodo is foreign to the harsh reality he is thrust into. Not only is he away from home, he is also burdened with the task of keeping the ring safe. This burden becomes quite a strain on Frodo, “There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and tooth, and a long burden. Where shall I find rest?” J.R.R Tolkien The Lord of the Rings. With the help of Sam and the realization that he is doing this for more than himself,
In the beginning of the book “ Bilbo is a short, peaceful hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is the protagonist of the novel. He considers himself a typical hobbit; that is, until Gandalf and the dwarves appear at his door.(Akers)” When Gandalf and the dwarves first arrive at Bilbo’s
Boromir wishes to use the Ring itself to defeat Sauron so he can defend the people of Minas Tirith. Boromir has good intentions, but he fails to listen to the wise people like Gandalf telling him what the Ring will do to him. When he attacks Frodo, Boromir says “’True-hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves…” (389). Boromir is an altruistic leader, but he fails to consider the consequences of dark power. When he is overcome by the desire for the Ring, “His fair and pleasant face was hideously changed; a raging fire was in his eyes” (390) as he tries to take the Ring from Frodo. This displays how Tolkien believes that the power of corruption can change good leaders with valiant efforts into ugly and fraudulent
Acknowledged as the protagonist of the epic, Frodo was gifted with a temper well fitting to fight evil, and Sauron. Frodo was brave, selfless, wise, observant, polite and selfless and those were the traits that helped him fight against Sauron. "A Ring of Power looks after itself, Frodo. It may slip off treacherously, but its keeper never abandons it" as said by Gandalf meant that even though Sauron didn't have the ring and didn't know its location he still had a complete control of it "It was not Gollum...but the Ring itself that decided things. The Ring left him". And in other words it meant that Sauron's influence was not defeated by the absence of the Ring, only abridged and spread out. The Ring will always be found, and it will at all time come back to its creator so that its sinful nature can be complete. The way Frodo fought against Sauron's will to get the One Ring was that Frodo refused to wear the Ring and use its powers even though they were meant for good and Gandalf's words encouraged him "Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity for weakness and the desire to strengthen to do good".
“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them,” (55). The One Ring controls Gollum, Bilbo, Boromir, and Frodo in attempts to return to Sauron, Its Creator, the Lord of the Rings, and the utmost evil present in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels. But the Ring never achieves Its goal because each character possesses a unique set of skills which resist the evil temptations of the Ring. Gollum is the first victim of the Ring, with no knowledge of Its powers or guidance away from Its control. Bilbo is the second ring bearer, with an almost complete knowledge of the Ring’s power still has difficulty resisting the Ring’s temptation. Gandalf guides Bilbo to constantly resist the evil of the Ring. Boromir never gets his hands on the Ring but craves Its power thinking he can use it for good, ignoring the guidance offered to him at the Council of Elrond. Frodo has the most knowledge and guidance of all the characters but also seems to have the strongest temptations. J.R.R. Tolkien uses characterization in the Fellowship of the Ring to prove that people without a longing for power resist temptation through knowledge, good habits, and guidance.
Tolkien catches the attention of people of all ages with this fascinating book. Originally, Bilbo Baggins is a fearful hobbit who lives alone in a hole in the ground. When he gets an invitation for a thrill-seeking mission, he has the choice to accept or decline. Burgularing is essential to the journey, but he decides not to, until he is thrown into the job of the burglar. Leaving his safe hole, he left to journey far away with foreign dwarves. Hardly into the assignment, they got into a fight with trolls. Now fearless Bilbo survives until the end, and he ends a better hobbit by learning the meaning of friendship and being different. Quiet Bilbo changed extremely throughout sections, the departure, initiation, and the return in “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkien, and now he’s
...s. Bilbo is the one that gives the precious Arkenstone to Bard to help stop a war from starting. If it was not for Bilbo’s courage, Thorin would still be fighting for the Arkenstone and might have also been hurt. Bilbo also helps the dwarves by being a good leader and helping them find a way out of Smaug’s lair. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would not have the audacity to try finding a way out of Smaug’s cave. Bilbo, like a real hero, always makes sure that he finishes the task he sets out to do. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would not be able to finish all the tasks that they want to finish. Bilbo is also the reason why the dwarves are still alive. Bilbo saves the dwarves from many different disasters. The disasters range from the spiders to Smaug. Through good or bad, Bilbo has been able to show the characteristics that a real hero should be able to show.
After he left Frodo did not have a father-like companion, a role-model, or a friend anymore. Frodo looked up to him, even though from the viewer's perspective he was a little eccentric. He had to learn new ways without Bilbo. Frodo was under a greater role of responsibility and authority over his own life with Bilbo being gone. In addition to that he was now also accountable for the ring. He was not ready for the great deal of power that the ring possessed. Peter Jackson shows the adversity Frodo has to face by leaving the Shire, and losing his only family member. Gandalf explained to Frodo - after lots of scrutinizing about what the ring was, and what it attains, Gandalf found out that this was indeed ‘the ring’. Frodo then had to learn how to keep himself on the down low, well at least try to, because he was being searched for. This duty changed more of his ‘hobbit’ ways, and matured his personality. By the end of the movie you can definitely see the changes made to
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and the Dark Lord, forged the one ring, filing it with his own power so that he could rule all other. But the one ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-Earth, it remained lost to him. After many years it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit of all creatures. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task as his elderly cousin entrusts the ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-Earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose. Gandulf, who is a dear, old friend of Bilbo's, tells Frodo what the ring is, and what should happen if the Dark Lord shall get it back. Frodo asks Gandulf what he must do, to help with this heavy burden. Gandulf tells Frodo to Bree with Sam, but he has to be careful because of the Ringwraiths. Ringwraiths are dark creatures working for Sauron, and they are trying to get the ring back for their master. As they are on their way they run into Merry and Pippin, two close friends. Frodo decides to tell Merry and Pippin what they are doing out here, and what's going on. Merry and Pippin know a shortcut to Bree, and they deicide to help Frodo and Sam.
Bilbo begins his long journey with the dwarves, who at the time were still skeptical of Bilbo’s abilities. The dwarves didn’t see why they needed such a small incompetent hobbit with them along their journey. Gandalf tells them to stop complaining and to trust that there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye (Tolkien 6). Bilbo soon shows his courage and heroism for the first time in the story when they run into their first obstacle, three large trolls huddled around a campfire. Bilbo, who was once a shy, non-adventurous type, begins to develop into a hero as he tries to steal one of the trolls’ money purses. This is a dramatic scene in the novel because it was Bilbo’s very first act outside his comfort zone. It was this...
...ting points of the plot also relied on Bilbo’s courage. If Bilbo did not have such a valuable trait, the story of the Hobbit would’ve been fairly short.
The book begins with Bilbo Baggins celebrating his one hundred and eleventh birthday. Many "Hobbits" show up at his party including his third cousin, Frodo, which is the main character of the novel and a powerful wizard named Gandalf. Biblo possed a powerful ring known as the "Ruling Ring" which gives "Supreme Power" to whoever has possession of it. At the end of the party, Bilbo uses his magical ring to turn invisible and stun his guests. Gandalf, the powerful wizard, then meets up with Biblo at his house and takes the ring from Bilbo, which is corrupting him. Gandalf examines it, realizing that the ring Bilbo has is the powerful "Ruling Ring". Knowing that the forces of evil are in search of the ring, Gandalf sends Frodo, a relative of Biblo, to destroy the ring in the only place it can be destroyed, "Mt. Doom". Overhearing the talk between Gandalf and Frodo, Sam, a "Hobbit", that is good friends with Frodo is forced on the quest to aid Frodo.