Tom Bombadil remains a persistent enigma in Tolkien’s work—how does he resist the Ring so completely? “Resist” is not even the proper word, because the Ring appears to have no effect on him of any kind. As an embodiment of Nature, Tom is indifferent to the Ring’s temptation because it lures with worldly domination—a world of nations and races who struggle for wealth or for resources, or for peace to enjoy their own land and culture. As Goldberry says, Tom does not own anything: “The trees and the grasses and all things growing or living in the land belong each to themselves.” Bombadil neither needs nor desires what the Ring has to offer, any more than a river would, and so it holds no power over him. His own power is limited, however, and he cannot shelter the hobbits or protect them beyond the borders of his own country. The memory of his house, however, sustains Frodo on his journey.
The flight from Bree to Rivendell introduces another central character: Aragorn, or Strider the Ranger. Despite his appearance, Strider carries tokens of his greatness, most obviously the broken sword that is emblematic of his lineage’s tarnished greatness. In addition, as he helps the hobbits toward Rivendell, readers discover that he is learned, both in the ways of the wilderness and in ancient lore, and that he has an almost magical gift of healing. Unlike the hobbits, who are ordinary folk asked to perform extraordinary things, Strider presents another kind of hero: the hero of epic story.
The first chapters established the fear of the Black Riders, but the journey from Bree to Rivendell increases their terror. Where in the Shire the Riders had been a frightening unknown, Aragorn’s knowledge and Frodo’s enhanced perception of them makes a shapeless dread more tangible and therefore more frightening. Tolkien’s work does not support the cliché that naming a fear takes away its power: Naming the Nazgûl (the Black Riders) makes them real, but it does not help Frodo to resist their terror or the temptation to use the Ring to hide from them. Note the language describing that temptation, as well: “He did not forget the Barrow, nor the message of Gandalf; but something seemed to be compelling him to disregard all warnings, and he longed to yield.” Likewise, at the ford, when the Nine try to call him back: “he felt that he was commanded urgently to halt. Hatred stirred in him, but he had no longer the strength to refuse.” Look for similar language whenever Frodo struggles with the Ring or the servants of Sauron; they do not seek control, but surrender. It is Frodo’s own will that determines whether he will resist or submit. At Weathertop, he gives in to the temptation, with disastrous results. At the Ford of Bruinen, he resists, and although he collapses, his will remains his own.
