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Love in the Trees - Page 12

© Michael Martinez

Both Bombadil and the Ents accumulate knowledge, but whereas Tolkien describes Bombadil in terms of "Botany and Zoology (as sciences) and Poetry as opposed to Cattle-breeding and Agriculture and practicality", the Ents (and Entwives) almost possess the exactly contrasting attributes: the Ents are treeherds, the Entwives are agriculturalists, and whereas Bombadil creates new poetry, the Ents are content only to preserve it. If the differences between the relationships can be summed up in one word, it would have to be risk-taking; that is, both Bombadil and Goldberry risk something by allowing each other certain freedoms. The Ents and Entwives, on the other hand, were unwilling or unable to compromise on their needs and desires, and so ultimately they divorced each other. Such rejection would be unnatural in Tolkien's very Catholic point of view. To abandon the marriage would be a disgraceful, even sinful thing. More importantly, it removes all hope of nurturing the relationship and children from the home. There is no balance, no harmony, and the outcome of such a division is disastrous for all concerned. Bombadil and Goldberry live right beside the Old Forest, but not inside of it. They are free to pass under the trees, but they can also roam the open hills. The Ents imprisoned themselves within the bounds of their receding woodlands, while the Entwives refused to leave the comfort (and false safety) of their highlands. Bombadil and Goldberry experience the best of both worlds, whereas the Ents and Entwives polarized their worlds. When Gandalf takes his leave of the Hobbits, turning aside to visit Bombadil, he says, "He is a moss-gatherer, and I have been a stone doomed to rolling." Bombadil's rolling days are over. He has done what the Ents could not: settle down. Goldberry, for her part, has done what the Entwives could not: accept a place in her husband's world. While I wouldn't advise anyone to go out and model their lives on Tom and Goldberry, their marriage nonetheless represents all that is best of relationships in Tolkien's worldview. In fact, Bombadil represents Tolkien's mythology: he is ancient, with a great history that touches upon others, but he has achieved a maturity in his old age which is stable and allows him to flourish. In the end, Bombadil will outlive the Ents because despite his moss-gathering ways, he remains flexible enough to make whatever changes are needed in his life. He is vibrant and young-at-heart. He has no regrets, and never looks back. Bombadil and Goldberry are making new memories.

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