1. I do wonder if maybe Sam was the product of some very personal musings Tolkien had over the academic lifestyle. Tolkien was absorbed in academia, where everything hinges on your “learnedness.” But even though the wise characters of Middle Earth make critical decisions that avert disaster, the LOTR’s books show that both the wise and the simple have their place. At times, the books even elevate the simple over the wise (1 Corinthians 1:20-25). Sam, because of his simplicity, had an easier time having faith in their duty to destroy the ring. Whereas Frodo, because of his intelligence, found it easier to fall into prideful, self-destructive fantasies. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” –1 Corinthians 8:1. It was Sam’s simple love and faith-fullness (pun intended) that saved Middle Earth from destruction. It seems that Tolkien, in a way, saw himself a little bit like Frodo, and I wonder if maybe Sam was Tolkien’s private discovery of the point you made in this article: we all need a Sam, because our intelligence could never really save us. It seems like it makes the same point Tolkien makes in his short story Leaf by Niggle, where Niggle is brought to see and appreciate the good in his very different neighbor, and vice versa.

    On a side note, I still cry every flipping time I watch the ending of The Return of the King. Such a beautiful portrayal of friendship, love, and faithfulness.

What do you think?