It's just like a lot of very complex, long stories - in order to make it digestable in a visual format, certain sacrifices have to be made, and new things written in just so the story playing on the screen makes any sense. Tom Bombadil is, sadly, one of those things - but then again, so is the fact that there's an almost 10-year long gap between when Frodo gets the One Ring and when he actually leaves The Shire. He's a lot younger in the movies than the character is in the books. And Sam's a couple decades younger than him in the books - he refers to Frodo as his master. The whole story of Smeagol/Gollum is actually told to the reader in "Fellowship of the Ring", and it has you understanding very early on exactly what kind of moral character he has - ALL BAD. But Gollum's first real appearance in the books, his first interaction with other characters, not just being referred to or told of by another character, isn't until much, much later. Peter Jackson, I think, has done an excellent & thoughtful job of bringing this story to the screen. He's remained as true to the the books as one can, and still not have people falling asleep in their seats. There would be far too far too much explaining to do if he'd tried to bring the books to the big screen as they are written - one good example: the format of The Two Towers. Tolkein wrote the first half so that it told the story Aragorn/Gimli/Legolas/Helm's Deep from beginning to end, and the entire time you're desperate to find out what happens to Frodo & Sam - then halfway thru the book he goes back to the parting at the river, and tells you what became of Frodo & Sam. Inspired - the 2nd time I read it ( I was about 12 the 2nd time), it had me flipping back and forth excitedly trying to put together a timeline in my head. It also gives you a very distinct feeling of just how alone Frodo & Sam were; they had never in their lives ever been so alone. Adapting books to screenplays is no small task when the story is this complex - ever read the Harry Potter series? The books are absolutely amazing!! But it's the same thing - these movies (actually both LOTR & H Potter series) are in excess of 2hrs each - in the US avg run time is what? 90 mins? any longer & they wouldn't be blockbusters at all, most Americans would just consider them to be butt-busters, no $$ there. Whew! shutup sorry so wordy...
...that response to my posting, Discos...it's so, ummm - moronic. Or were you just drunkenly ranting again? Maybe if you should try actually responding to what I wrote, hmmmm? If you can't say something nice....well, no use in finishing that, since obviously you can't. Try again, little drummer boy.
Tom was never meant to be anything but an anomoly, a conundrum(heh...i like that word)...no explainations for him whatsoever...i firmly believe that he was there before the coming of the valar...
I remember reading somewhere - can't recall - that there were or are things in Arda that are older than the valar...but that's pure speculation
oh so the little drummer boy finally speaks - albeit still nothin'nice comes forth from his pie-hole....and don't hold back so much, Discos, my precious, g'on and tell me to shut-up....best you take your frustrations on someone who can dish it back intelligently, you might learn a few multi-syllabic words in the process... 😖mart:
Originally posted by moni_v
oh so the little drummer boy finally speaks - albeit still nothin'nice comes forth from his pie-hole....and don't hold back so much, Discos, my precious, g'on and tell me to shut-up....best you take your frustrations on someone who can dish it back intelligently, you might learn a few multi-syllabic words in the process... 😖mart:
😆 ...okay sorry about the Discos...
'multi-syllabic'... 😂
still love yah, yah big galoot
do I need to talk so correct on forms of english, I am scottish I speak in ony language I want ken fit am sayin like?
You have been entered on my bad side ya piece of shit, slag me all you want but you can keep your little hardcore cocaine party!
this is a tom bambadil thread, not something for you prissy little losers to rant on about members for, this is bashing I say! bashing"
PLEASE
😬
I agree with Discos, this is a Tom Bombadil-Thread and not one purposed for linguistical and phrase-morphologic discussions;
Originally posted by Fëanor
Tom was never meant to be anything but an anomoly, a conundrumI remember reading somewhere - can't recall - that there were or are things in Arda that are older than the valar...but that's pure speculation
He isn't really a conundrum, conundrums have solutions
TB doesn't
II. Something in this direction is found especially in the Lost Tales where Tolkien writes about fairiespixiesetc, mentioning spirits / creatures older than the Maiar, but I don't think this can be transducted to the Silmarillion-or-Lotr-stage Middle-earth where the hierarchy is a lot clearer; In the Beginning there was Eru and only Eru and he is all that existed before the Ainur.
edit
thx shadowy 😂
Originally posted by Arroch
PLEASEI. "And even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)"
-- The probably most-quoted letter of Tolkien, #144He isn't really a conundrum, conundrums have solutions
TB doesn't
but i phrased it so because he is a difficult problem as in what exactly is Tom B...an enigma yes...defination of anomoly: anomaly - a person who is unusual
thereby i stand on that principal...i never meant to offend friend Discos and moni _v more than likely was defending herself...
but being boorish though it would seem so, was not intended however...
TB is imo the only contradictory character of Tolkien's work...
Originally posted by Fëanor
but i phrased it so because he is a difficult problem as in what exactly is Tom B...an enigma yes...defination of anomoly: anomaly - a person who is unusualTB is imo the only contradictory character of Tolkien's work...
Anomaly,
yea, that is a perfect word to describe him and probably his purpose if he has one
I'm not really sure about conundrum as the word is also often used for jocular questions which Tom doesn't really represent... ^^
Anomaly though, that's the essence of his character, he is "made to be different" ^^
I mean, we don't even know / will never know to what people / family / "race" (ie Mortals, Elves, Ainur etc) he belongs neither where he comes from, we don't know why he reacts as he reacts, and all that clearly differs him from practically all other characters
He often seems so random with his independant nature
Contradictory?
Hm. Maybe - - -