Pukel-man's point was that Tom is a fantasy of a pacifist: he can afford not to
fight, because nothing can harm him. There is no moral effort involved.
I'm not sure I agree with P-M on this. But grant it, and still...
Frodo becomes a real pacifist much later, because of the ordeal of his quest,
not anything that happened at Tom Bombadil's house.
Frodo, like all real pacifists, accepts that he may die at the hands of his
enemies, but considers that preferable to striking any aggressive blow.
To me, this comes from Frodo's realization of how much more important moral
superiority is to physical superiority when it comes to saving one's own soul,
a realization that comes from his personal struggle in fighting the Ring's
temptation.
Again, like all real pacifists, he exists in a world where he is protected from
harm by non-pacifists: Sam in Mordor, the other Hobbits in the Shire during the
Scouring. He chooses a role for himself of moral superiority, dispensing pity
and mercy, asserting that this has a value and a worth during the conduct of a
war that is equal to the physical superiority of the warriors who accompany and
guard him. As in any society that accepts the existence of pacifists, the
warriors honor this choice, which allows them to show no mercy whatever.
I think if Frodo learns anything from Tom, it is that there are higher powers,
above the Ring, and they are beneficent -- and that help will come to those who
resist evil of their own will.
I suspect Frodo's ready acceptance of Strider in Bree comes from this valuable
lesson.
"Wake up and smell the coffee."
squire online:
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The Valaquenta discussion
