Review: Tales from the Perilous Realm – Bombadil Goes Boating
Introduction
J.R.R. Tolkien, best known for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, also crafted a number of lesser-known yet equally fascinating works that explore the depths of Middle-earth’s mythology and folklore. One such work is Bombadil Goes Boating, a whimsical poem that appears in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, later collected in Tales from the Perilous Realm.
This poem is a unique addition to Tolkien’s legendarium, featuring Tom Bombadil—a mysterious and enigmatic figure who remains one of the most perplexing characters in Middle-earth. Unlike the grand epic of The Lord of the Rings, Bombadil Goes Boating is a lighthearted and playful work that showcases Tom Bombadil’s carefree nature as he embarks on a journey along the Withywindle River.
In this review, we will explore the themes, narrative style, linguistic elements, and the poem’s significance within Tolkien’s broader works.
Summary of the Poem
Bombadil Goes Boating follows Tom Bombadil as he sets out on a leisurely river journey, encountering various creatures and figures from Middle-earth’s rural and mystical landscapes. The poem is written in a rhythmic, playful meter, emphasizing Bombadil’s unique persona—he is untroubled by the world’s dangers and moves through life with an air of invulnerability and mirth.
As he sails down the river, Bombadil meets characters such as Farmer Maggot, a familiar figure from The Lord of the Rings, and other beings who acknowledge his peculiar presence. The poem does not follow a traditional narrative arc of conflict and resolution; rather, it serves as a slice-of-life depiction of Bombadil’s interactions with Middle-earth’s pastoral inhabitants.
Despite its lighthearted nature, the poem carries deeper undertones that reflect Tolkien’s fascination with folklore, the idea of untouched wilderness, and Bombadil’s role as a being who exists outside the struggles that define Middle-earth’s history.
Analysis of Themes
1. The Untamed and Carefree Nature of Tom Bombadil
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is how it reinforces Bombadil’s detachment from the weight of history and conflict. Unlike the characters in The Lord of the Rings, who are deeply affected by the overarching war against Sauron, Bombadil is unaffected by any of these concerns.
His journey down the river is not one of urgency or duty but rather a leisurely adventure, highlighting his role as a guardian of nature rather than a participant in Middle-earth’s wars and power struggles. His interactions with other characters reflect a world where the everyday and the mythical blend seamlessly.
2. Rural Life and the Connection to Nature
Tolkien had a deep admiration for the English countryside, and this is reflected in Bombadil Goes Boating. The poem is filled with descriptions of nature, simple pleasures, and the kind of rural life that Tolkien idealized.
Farmer Maggot, who appears in The Fellowship of the Ring, is an example of this rural tradition. He is portrayed as a practical, grounded figure, in contrast to Bombadil’s whimsical and timeless existence. The meeting between the two highlights Tolkien’s love for ordinary folk and their quiet wisdom, a theme that recurs throughout his works, especially in his portrayal of the Hobbits.
3. The Passage of Time and Timelessness
Bombadil’s presence in Middle-earth has always been associated with an air of agelessness. In The Lord of the Rings, he is described as being older than the oldest creatures of Middle-earth, existing beyond the grasp of history’s great events.
In Bombadil Goes Boating, this theme continues as Bombadil moves through the world seemingly untouched by the concerns of time. While others acknowledge his presence, he does not change, nor does he seem to be affected by the passing ages. This makes him one of Tolkien’s most enigmatic characters—a figure who embodies something ancient, yet entirely separate from the fates of elves, men, and the rising and falling of kingdoms.
Linguistic and Stylistic Elements
1. Poetic Structure and Rhythm
Tolkien was a master of poetic meter, and Bombadil Goes Boating is no exception. The poem is written in a bouncy, lyrical style that mirrors Bombadil’s cheerful and rhythmic speech patterns found in The Lord of the Rings.
Lines such as:
"Hey dol! derry dol! The River is a-rolling!
Time goes by. The stars are flying. The wind is in the tree!"
illustrate Tolkien’s use of alliteration and internal rhyme, creating a musical quality that makes the poem feel almost like a traditional folk ballad.
2. Use of Old English and Folkloric Elements
Tolkien drew heavily from Old English and medieval literature, and Bombadil Goes Boating contains echoes of this tradition. The poem’s structure, themes, and language recall the oral storytelling tradition of old English ballads, where characters embark on whimsical journeys and engage with mystical beings in an almost dreamlike manner.
Bombadil’s speech and interactions also resemble those of a trickster figure from folklore—someone who exists outside conventional rules and laws, free to wander without consequence.
Comparison to Other Works
1. Bombadil’s Role in The Lord of the Rings
In The Lord of the Rings, Tom Bombadil is a curious anomaly. While the rest of Middle-earth is caught in the turmoil of Sauron’s return, Bombadil remains unaffected. He has no interest in the One Ring, and it holds no power over him.
In Bombadil Goes Boating, this sense of detachment is even more pronounced. Unlike in The Fellowship of the Ring, where his presence hints at deeper mysteries, here he is simply enjoying himself on the river, reinforcing the idea that he exists in his own separate sphere.
2. Connection to The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
This poem is a natural extension of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, which similarly depicts Bombadil’s encounters with various beings in a lighthearted, folkloric manner. However, while the original poem The Adventures of Tom Bombadil involves more dramatic encounters (such as Bombadil confronting the Barrow-wights and Old Man Willow), Bombadil Goes Boating is more relaxed and peaceful.
3. Links to Tolkien’s Larger Mythology
Although Bombadil Goes Boating is a small and seemingly insignificant work in the grand scale of Tolkien’s writings, it nonetheless contributes to the mythos of Middle-earth by expanding upon the idea that some beings exist outside its central conflicts. The very presence of Bombadil in Tolkien’s legendarium suggests that not all power is tied to the struggle between good and evil—there are forces that simply are, existing beyond the scope of history and war.
Conclusion
Bombadil Goes Boating is a charming and whimsical addition to Tolkien’s works, offering readers a delightful, rhythmic journey through Middle-earth’s countryside. While it lacks the grand stakes of The Lord of the Rings or the deep mythological weight of The Silmarillion, it enriches our understanding of Tom Bombadil and the world he inhabits.
For those who enjoy Tolkien’s lighter, more folkloric works, this poem is a delightful excursion that showcases his linguistic playfulness and love for storytelling traditions. Although Bombadil remains as enigmatic as ever, this poem further cements his place as one of Middle-earth’s most fascinating and unusual figures.
For fans of Middle-earth, Bombadil Goes Boating is a reminder that beyond the wars and legends, there is still room for wonder, mystery, and joy.
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