Yes, dearest Eldorion, but does it have "thematic" value?

Odo

Hark, Eldorion and I concur on the Bombadil sequence .

GB

My question remains: Is there any real "thematic value" in the Tom Bombadil section? PJ didn't seem to think there was.

Odo

Well, it really all depends doesn't it? I mean there are any number of themes woven into LotR from Nature to War to Religious themes and more. And they all have some intrinsic value. The real question is not it's thematic value, but it's Plot value.

The Bombadil scene doesn't advance the plot, it's a lovely digression that is just fine in print which we can read at our own leisure. But in a film with time and budget constraints, it's clearly one of the first scenes that can be cut without damaging the plot. And PJ was thoughtful enough to at least give it a nod by having Old Man Willow visiting his Fangorn cousins (as I've mentioned previously ).

Of course I wouldn't for a minute suggest that Tolkien cut the scene from his book.

GB

In other words the Bombadil, et. al sequence illustrates the theme of loosing innocence (the Shire) as the Hobbits are thrust headfirst into strange and dangerous places (the Old Forest and the Barrow-downs) and also sets the stage for the theme of the Hobbits coming into their own (culminating in the Scouring of the Shire). That's how I see it at least.

This was done differently in the films of course (though I'm still a stickler for the Scouring) and Bree was made into the first dark and dangerous place (a mistake in my mind, though Weathertop also served that purpose). I like the book the way it is, I just don't think that part would necessarily work on film.

We agree on something about adaptations? What's the world coming to these days?

Eldorion, you might regret saying you agree with GB on anything about 'adaptations', but I'll say no more... and you didn't hear it from me! Okay!

Odo

I just want to register how much I love your new Avatar Eldorion .

GB

It certainly catches the eye. Is he being nasty, laughing or just giving an evil look? I'm not good on cat personalities (or expressions!)

Odo

Thanks GB! Odo, I think he's just excited, on the far left side you can sort of see some money being offered to the cat (it was mostly cropped out though).