James Murphy
@jamespmurphy.bsky.social
Teaching, learning and behaviour. Director at Thinking Reading. Working with secondary schools to eradicate illiteracy.
Web: thinkingreading.com
Web: thinkingreading.com
Thanks all. This was v nice to think about.
November 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Thanks all. This was v nice to think about.
Ah yes, the Wights. That’s when it starts to feel seriously scary
November 15, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Ah yes, the Wights. That’s when it starts to feel seriously scary
Yes, that’s true, he was largely world building for all of the first book before the narrative gets moving in Moria.
Also I think Tom adds in recognisably English folklore as a transition from the Shire into a more solidly Norse/Anglo-Saxon mythology.
Also I think Tom adds in recognisably English folklore as a transition from the Shire into a more solidly Norse/Anglo-Saxon mythology.
November 15, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Yes, that’s true, he was largely world building for all of the first book before the narrative gets moving in Moria.
Also I think Tom adds in recognisably English folklore as a transition from the Shire into a more solidly Norse/Anglo-Saxon mythology.
Also I think Tom adds in recognisably English folklore as a transition from the Shire into a more solidly Norse/Anglo-Saxon mythology.
I have a question about why Tolkien added him into the plot when he has (and wants) nothing to do with anything? He makes no difference to cause and effect or character development. Book might be better without him really?
November 15, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I have a question about why Tolkien added him into the plot when he has (and wants) nothing to do with anything? He makes no difference to cause and effect or character development. Book might be better without him really?
Yes, grim. But destruction of habitat/nature is a major theme and fits the pattern of Fangorn. Tom’s realm would probably be the last to go but he is quite unpredictable.
November 15, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Yes, grim. But destruction of habitat/nature is a major theme and fits the pattern of Fangorn. Tom’s realm would probably be the last to go but he is quite unpredictable.
He always gets other people to do his work anyway. Probs really unfit.
November 15, 2025 at 9:44 AM
He always gets other people to do his work anyway. Probs really unfit.
Also if it was in Tom’s realm nothing can touch him but outside that he seems to have no power and no interest.
November 15, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Also if it was in Tom’s realm nothing can touch him but outside that he seems to have no power and no interest.
No question there.
November 15, 2025 at 9:42 AM
No question there.
Suspect Tom not too good on spelling.
November 15, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Suspect Tom not too good on spelling.
Sorry now I’m talking about it!
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Sorry now I’m talking about it!
Yes. Where it happened being the critical bit.
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Yes. Where it happened being the critical bit.
I will refrain from inciting a riot (but the answer is there in the book) 😉
November 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I will refrain from inciting a riot (but the answer is there in the book) 😉
At the risk of restarting the conversation- what was The Tom Bombadil question?
November 15, 2025 at 9:26 AM
At the risk of restarting the conversation- what was The Tom Bombadil question?