April 15, 2002

Tom Bombadil
Lisa C.

It seems as though Bombadil is the First to arrive on Middle Earth according to this paragraph from LOTR FOTR at the Council of Elrond Glorfindel is speaking about Iarwain Ben Adar (Tom Bombadil): "Could that power be defied by Bombadil alone? I think not. I think that in the end if all else is conquered, Bombadil will fall. Last as He was First; and then Night will come." It implies that Bombadil was the First, though whether he was a Maia or Eru, himself, that point has been widely debated among many Tolkien fans. I am in favor of him being the First, but not necessary a Maia, nor Eru. I think that he is something else all together. And the fact that Goldberry seems to be akin to a Mother Nature, then perhaps Bombadil is the "man-entity" of Middle Earth itself. Cheers!