LOTR nerds:

I recently re-read Lord of the Rings and was struck by the story of Tom Bombadil, completely missing his significance the first time I read the books as a teen.

That is, that he is completely immune to the power of the ring - not overcome with desire, able to wear it without turning invisible, and able to see Frodo when he wears the ring.

Anyone have a favorite theory as to why this is the case, or what Tolkien could have meant? I know Tolkien argued against the books being pure allegory. It's fascinating to me, wondering how he imagined a being completely immune to the allure of power.