Before Tom can be properly analyzed, we must first define who Tom is and his significance to J.R.R. Tolkien. Within the Tolkien household Tom Bombadil was originally a Dutch doll belonging to one of Tolkien's children (Carpenter 162). Tolkien later wrote a poem about him called "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil," published in "Oxford Magazine" in 1934, long before the writing of the Lord of the Rings began (Hargrove). In reading "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil the reader doesn't get much insight into Tom is, rather the reader gets to see an inkling of Tom's ability to interact with nature.

The two beings that will be looked at for the possibilities in finding who or what Tom are will be Iluvatar and a

When meeting at the Council of Elrond and recounting his adventures up to the meeting, Frodo tells the Council of Tom Bombadil. One of the strongest constraints on Bombadil's nature comes from Glorfindel's words at the Council of Elrond. Objecting to Tom as a guardian of the Ring, Glorfindel says, "...soon or late the Lord of the Rings would learn of its hiding place and would bend all his power toward it. 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."(Tolkien, The Lord 279)

Just as Goldberry is very similar to Yavanna, Aule the Smith, shares many common characteristics with Tom and this identification helps explain some of the events that occur in Tom's house - especially his control over the ring without any fear or temptation. Aule was the maker of all the substances of the earth: minerals, gems, and metals. During the creation of Middle-earth he was involved in nearly every aspect of its making. He prepared the sea beds to receive the waters of the ocean and prepared the land for plants and animals. As the Maker he developed and taught all arts, crafts, and skills. Of all the Valar, he had the greatest interest in the Children of Iluvatar. According to the "Valaquenta" in the Silmarillion "So impatient was he to see them that he made the Dwarves (p. 27). Although Aule and Melkor were most like of all the Valar in thought and power, their attitudes toward the products of their labor and the labor of others were significantly different. While Melkor carefully guarded his works for himself and destroyed the works of others out of jealousy, Aule delighted in making, not possessing, and "he did not envy the works of others, but sought and gave counsel." It was, in fact, Aule's lack of possessiveness and his willingness to submit his work to the will of Iluvatar that saved the Dwarves from destruction and made it possible for them to receive the gift of free will from Iluvatar.

When one considers the characteristics of Aule, the similarities to Tom are most striking and revealing. Like Aule, Tom is not possessive. Although his power to dominate and control is always stressed - he is the master - he does not interfere with other beings except when they directly interfere with him. Although he has the power to possess whatever he may desire, he does not chose to possess or own the forest. As Goldberry explains, the animals, plants, and natural objects of the forest are all allowed to belong to themselves. This distain for ownership or possession is the reason why Tom is able to handle the ring without fear. Ultimately, all other powerful beings encountered in the trilogy, unless they are already fallen, are afraid to touch the ring lest the desire to possess it should turn them to evil. Since Tom does not want to own or possess anything, it has no power over him. We simply see his interest, curiosity, and delight as he studies the craftsmanship involved in its making. Indeed, Tom approaches the ring critically, almost with scorn. While all others refer to the ring as "precious" in a reverent sense, Tom's use of the word, "Show me the precious ring" (Tolkien, The Lord 144), suggests irony or doubt about its value. Since the lack of desire to possess or own was extremely rare among the Valar and the beings of Middle-earth, no over Vala is said to exhibit this moral trait, it seems reasonable to assume that Tom and Aule are the same person.

Valar. Iluvatar, also known as Eru, is the Creator of Middle-Earth (Tyler 162). The Valar -the guardians of the world-were the beings that helped shape Middle-Earth with their music(Tyler 502-505).

It is also important to note the tremendous power and control that Tom has over the ring. He is, first of all, able to overcome its normal effects. When he puts it on his finger, he does not become invisible. When Frodo puts it on his finger, Tom is still able

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Approximate Word count = 2881
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)