
He wants to return, even if he will not be the same. He has a strength that is rooted in his love for home, for simplicity. ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said” " Sam leads us back to the Shire after Frodo can no longer go on. He, in many ways, leads the plot on by pushing Frodo on and, in perhaps a genius move, Sam finishes the novel. wasn't he, dad?" "Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and that's saying a lot."' Sam is able to see events unfold and see the beauty and worth in them and that makes him special to Tolkien. And people will say: "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring! " And they'll say: "Yes, that's one of my favourite stories. We're in one, or course but I mean: put into words, you know, told by the fireside, or read out of a great big book with red and black letters, years and years afterwards. "'Still, I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. Take this excerpt from 'The Two Towers' for example: This basically means that the nature of writing and stories is discussed within a story. 'The Lord of the Rings' is an incredible meta-textual book. Speaking of plot, this is where I will make my final stand in this fangirl post. So up you get!" There is an unrelenting strength in Sam, that makes him crucial to the development of the plot. 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. Where others give up hope, Sam sees a star and a way forward.

He is the unrelentless drive within human beings to always strive on and improve their situation. He travels with Frodo not because he so desires, but out of friendship and love, and perhaps some pushing from an old wizard. Whereas we might see other characters fail, through their own fault or no, Sam does no wrong because his ulterior motive is always pure love. Through Sam, the reader can see the hope that lies beyond the immediate situation. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.” The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. " Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. There is one beautiful quote in 'The Return of the King' which shows Tolkien's purpose for Sam beautifully: But Sam does not just represent Hope for Frodo, but also for the reader. Where Frodo is slowly consumed by the war between himself and the One Ring, Sam brings back the memories of home, the human touches to life that make the bleakest sky light up. Frodo?' Although this scene is different in the book, it very much carries the same meaning. I think everyone who has seen the films remembers the scene on the slopes of Mount Doom. I think this is also reflected in Sam and Frodo. On the battle field, this relationship quickly became the only glimpse of home these men still beheld. In the Second World War, where Tolkien got his inspiration for this relationship, many social boundaries were fading.

I think we can recognize some of this in Sam, considering his love for the ponies. The batman was much more of a servant, responsible for the luggage and horses for example, yet it was a desirable position. This type of relationship was mirrored in the World Wars between an Officer and his Batman (not that one).

Frodo might not be your stereotypical lord of the mead hall, but he is Sam's lord. The lord's retainer was held at high esteem and mourned after severely if he passed. It is a role that is found in many Old English and Middle English texts. One of Sam's key positions is as Frodo's retainer. He gave an incredible performance, especially in 'The Return of the King' and I feel he hasn't been praised and awarded enough for it. Before describing the character, I think enormous credit should be given to Sean Astin. In my eyes he represents everything that is right in Tolkien's Middle Earth. Whereas the movies and books have always been able to make me cry, I have found that more often than not it is because of Sam. When people are asked who their favourite 'The Lord of the Rings'-character is, the answer is often Aragorn or Legolas, yet I have, thankfully, found that I am not the only one whose answer to that question is Samwise Gamgee.
