Count, Count, Weigh, Divide - Page 8
© Michael Martinez
Like Gandalf, Bombadil serves a purpose in Iluvatar's plan. But unlike Gandalf, Bombadil is not charged by a higher authority with taking a more direct action against Sauron. Gandalf cannot use his power to overthrow Sauron, but he is obligated to work toward Sauron's defeat. Bombadil seems only obligated to preserve an enclave or two. That is, his function in Eriador seems to be that of a special guardian for the Shire and Bree. Gandalf suggests at the Council of Elrond that Bombadil had "withdrawn to a little land, within bounds that he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them."
Gandalf doesn't speculate on why Bombadil has withdrawn to that land, though Bombadil himself hints at the reason when he bids farewell to the Hobbits: "I've got things to do, my making and my singing, my talking and my walking, and my watching of the country. Tom can't be always near to open doors and willow-cracks. Tom has his house to mind, and Goldberry is waiting."
In a very Ent-like fashion, Tom explains that he has responsibilities. His singing, talking, and walking may serve more purpose than to amuse the local water-lillies and critters. Maybe he is keeping the evil forces which have permeated the land in check. Maybe he is helping preserve something of Eriador's ancient civilization by holding back the anger of the Old Forest from overwhelming the Shire. When Gildor promises Frodo that he'll ask others to help the Hobbits, he names "the Wandering Companies...and those that have power for good". Bombadil is clearly one of "those that have power for good", for all he does is good, and he opposes evil in his own way.
Bombadil's function in the story thus serves to show that all the world opposes Sauron, not just his philosophical opposites among the leaders of the West. Bombadil's intervention legitimizes Frodo's task and paves the way for clearer signs of warning to Sauron. He might not have been able to win pardon from either the Valar or Iluvatar before the end, but he might have been able to avoid the inevitable. Or perhaps he could simply have accepted his fate and not inflicted so much harm and suffering upon the lesser creatures of the world.
At every step, Sauron was given some sign of warning, but instead of acknowledging that he was in trouble, he reclined in the comfort of his arrogance and proceeded with his own designs. He ignored the writing on the wall and when the end came it was really his own fault and not because he had been outwitted. Sauron went up against a greater power than an alliance of Men, Elves, Hobbits, and Valar. He went up against Iluvatar, and there was never really any hope of victory for him.
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