re: Laundry list of LOTR questions

quote:

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For me, Sam is the true hero of the story, not Frodo or Aragorn, etc. His impact is bigger than anyone else in seeing that the ring hot destroyed.

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I disagree that he is the "true hero." Yes, I think JRR wanted you to take away how important Sam's role was and how an unassuming half-sized gardener can change the world.

Without Aragorn, Sam and Frodo don't even make it to Mordor. Without Frodo, there's no telling how far Sam or anyone else could have taken the ring themselves before finally succumbing to its power.

The books were also pretty explicit in saying that if it weren't for Gollum, the ring never would have been destroyed because Frodo wouldn't have thrown it into the fire (and I highly doubt Sam would have had the will to push Frodo in). That whole line about Gandalf knowing that Gollum had some role to play is basically what saved Middle Earth. Gollum (inadvertently) sacrificing himself is what ultimately led to the ring's destruction that wouldn't have otherwise had happened.

Again, I agree with you that Sam played a huge role and Frodo couldn't have done it without him. I just wouldn't say his overall impact is bigger than anyone else...but it is up there with Aragorn, Gandalf, Frodo, etc.