Halfwise and Ordinary? Thoughts about Samwise Gamgee

[caraloup]

... Frodo looked at Sam rather startled, half expecting to see some outward sign of the odd change that seemed to have come over him. It did not sound like the voice of the old Sam Gamgee that he thought he knew. But it looked like the old Sam Gamgee sitting there, except that his face was unusually thoughtful.That's exactly how I feel when I

Comments

[elderberrywine]

Oh, this is wonderful. I am so looking forward to your thoughts on this subject, especially since LOTR has always been all about the Samness for me. Not that I don't love Frodo as well, but in some ways, I always have felt that Frodo is presented to us as a given, and the emphasis is on what he does. Whereas, Sam is at first glance the normal rustic sidekick until we realize that he is actually more than that: the emphasis on Sam is more who he is, and what he represents to both Frodo and Tolkien, than what he does.

And thank you so much, because I could swear that there is one reference to Sam as being brown and lean (which would make a lot more sense) but I haven't found it in just skimming. Gosh. Guess I'll have to read it again.

Physical Description of Sam

[nikkitook]

The only physical description I could find of Sam (besides those which briefly mention his brown eyes) is this one:

In his lap lay Frodo's head, drowned deep in sleep; upon his white forehead lay one of Sam's brown hands, and the other lay softly upon his master's breast.

Nikki

Re: Physical Description of Sam

[caraloup]

Ahhh... thank you for the quote, Nikki! That's one of my absolute favorites. (Is there anyone else here who's reminded of the Song of Songs, or is it just me? "His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.") <3

Re: (was Physical Description of Sam) now Frodo

[nikkitook]

Last year I started hunting for physical descriptions of the Hobbits (as written by Tolkien in LOTR). I *thought* I had found all of them! Last night I stumbled upon another brief one pertaining to Frodo.

First, the one that everyone knows from the Prologue:

>>They are quick of hearing and sharp-eyed, and though they are inclined to be fat and do not hurry unnecessarily, they are nonetheless nimble and deft in their movements.

Now Frodo:

>>Frodo was neither very fat nor very timid; indeed, though he did not know it, Bilbo (and Gandalf) had thought him the best hobbit in the Shire.

[caraloup]

the emphasis on Sam is more who he is, and what he represents to both Frodo and Tolkien, than what he does.

That's a fascinating thought! I would have guessed that most readers find themselves focusing more on what Sam does (because he achieves so many amazing things, especially during the later parts of the quest!) -- but I agree with you. I haven't counted them, but there are many scenes that revolve around who he is and reveal him bit by bit. More than there are for Frodo, I think.

Thank you, Elderberry! :)