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Mary Grace asked this question about The Lord of the Rings:
What is Tom Bombadil? Is he The Witch King, like the theory on dorkly.com says? Is he a demonic being, the most evil creature ever concieved, like another theory states? Or is he just a jolly old man? Honestly I don't know what to think of him. The Ring had no effect on him...and he saw Frodo wearing it...
Mike He appears to be a Celtic wood sprite. Goldberry is a river sprite. I think Tolkien's comment that he was "first" was just a reference to him being cr…moreHe appears to be a Celtic wood sprite. Goldberry is a river sprite. I think Tolkien's comment that he was "first" was just a reference to him being created first by Tolkien as a character before the others in LOTR. Bombadil, Old Man Willow and Goldberry were all created in a set of poems written before LOTR. As such, Tom is out of place and violates Tolkien's rule of internal consistency. However, he somehow feels like he should be there. He also sets the atmosphere of LOTR as a Celtic tale. (less)
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The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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