Tom Bombadil - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Vaine · 01-05-2009, 04:59 PM

So I was reading a thread here today which made me think.
Each make their own interpretation on alot of different things in LOTR, so I was wondering, what is your mental image on Tom Bombadil's physical appearance?

My own is, well, that of a Leprechaun...or something of a similar fasion.
A kind of wood-fairy living in constant bliss.

Beregond · 01-05-2009, 09:58 PM

Well, my jolly Tom Bombadillo is a man by appearances, albeit shorter than most. Despite his youthful mannerism he appears old and deep - with laugh lines, but not a silly face. Old Tom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo, dary Tom, merry Tom, older than the mountains. He has seen a lot you know! He is wise and cunning. But don't let his age fool you - Tom's a happy soul; he can laugh like anyone - can you hear him singing?

The Might · 01-05-2009, 11:11 PM

I have trouble picturing Tom since in the end he is in M-e, but not of M-e. So how do you really picture someone who is somewhat otherworldly? That is my problem, I can't just think of him as normal guy with coloured clothing...

He must be something different... and since I think of me usually as a nature spirit I'd rather think of him more wizardish. Maybe more like Radagast in a way, only rather a plant-lover than a beast-lover.

Beregond · 01-06-2009, 12:07 AM

The Elves are also otherworldly, but most of us can picture them, I think. Tom Bombadil is otherworldly in a more mysterious way; mysterious, but also rustic, earthy, and homely. Can a person be otherworldly in a homely way? The elves are otherworldly in a sun-and-stars way. (I feel like Sam, trying to find words to express what I mean). But I can picture Bombadil in my head.

One thing I find interesting is that we three for starters seem to have very different pictures of Tom in our head, despite what I thought was a rather clear description of him in the books. Neat.

Rumil · 01-06-2009, 02:07 PM

I think of Tom as looking just like my next-door neighbour when I was a kid.

Short-ish, but not a dwarf, ruddy-faced and cheery, weatherbeaten rather than really old-looking.

Vaine · 01-06-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beregond

One thing I find interesting is that we three for starters seem to have very different pictures of Tom in our head, despite what I thought was a rather clear description of him in the books. Neat.

That was exactly what I was hoping for, to see just how many different descriptions there would be.

fenris1011 · 01-07-2009, 03:36 PM

Jolly man. Shorter than most with a weather beaten hat and clothes.

Long beard and hair. Always smiling. He always makes me happy when I read his part in FotR.

01-05-2009, 04:59 PM	#1
Vaine Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 65	Tom Bombadil So I was reading a thread here today which made me think. Each make their own interpretation on alot of different things in LOTR, so I was wondering, what is your mental image on Tom Bombadil's physical appearance? My own is, well, that of a Leprechaun...or something of a similar fasion. A kind of wood-fairy living in constant bliss.

01-05-2009, 09:58 PM	#2
Beregond Playful Ghoul Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,251	Well, my jolly Tom Bombadillo is a man by appearances, albeit shorter than most. Despite his youthful mannerism he appears old and deep - with laugh lines, but not a silly face. Old Tom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo, dary Tom, merry Tom, older than the mountains. He has seen a lot you know! He is wise and cunning. But don't let his age fool you - Tom's a happy soul; he can laugh like anyone - can you hear him singing? __________________ "Hope and memory shall live still in some hidden valley where the grass is green."

01-05-2009, 11:11 PM	#3
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	I have trouble picturing Tom since in the end he is in M-e, but not of M-e. So how do you really picture someone who is somewhat otherworldly? That is my problem, I can't just think of him as normal guy with coloured clothing... He must be something different... and since I think of me usually as a nature spirit I'd rather think of him more wizardish. Maybe more like Radagast in a way, only rather a plant-lover than a beast-lover. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

01-06-2009, 12:07 AM	#4
Beregond Playful Ghoul Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,251	The Elves are also otherworldly, but most of us can picture them, I think. Tom Bombadil is otherworldly in a more mysterious way; mysterious, but also rustic, earthy, and homely. Can a person be otherworldly in a homely way? The elves are otherworldly in a sun-and-stars way. (I feel like Sam, trying to find words to express what I mean). But I can picture Bombadil in my head. One thing I find interesting is that we three for starters seem to have very different pictures of Tom in our head, despite what I thought was a rather clear description of him in the books. Neat. __________________ "Hope and memory shall live still in some hidden valley where the grass is green."

01-06-2009, 02:07 PM	#5
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Tom I think of Tom as looking just like my next-door neighbour when I was a kid. Short-ish, but not a dwarf, ruddy-faced and cheery, weatherbeaten rather than really old-looking. __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

01-07-2009, 03:36 PM	#7
fenris1011 Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 12	Jolly man. Shorter than most with a weather beaten hat and clothes. Long beard and hair. Always smiling. He always makes me happy when I read his part in FotR. __________________ From the fury of the Northmen deliver us, O Lord!