Wk10 Bk6 Ch3: Peace & Forgiveness

[Stormrider]

From: Stormridr (Original Message) Sent: 5/27/2003 9:44 PM

Sméagol/Gollum by Stormrider
my own personal art

"Well, this is the end, Sam Gamgee," said a voice by his side. And there was Frodo, pale and worn, and yet himself again; and in his eyes there was peace now, neither strain or will, nor madness, nor any fear. His burden was taken away. There was the dear master of the sweet days in the Shire.

Sam feels joy that the burden is gone, his master is saved and back to himself, but then he notices Frodo's bleeding hand. Sam's first concern is always for Frodo and his comfort. Even though it looks as though they will perish, Sam wants to bind Frodo's hand.

Both Sam and Frodo feel a sense of peace even though the land of Mordor is crumbling all around them. Earlier in this chapter, Sam realized that they would not return after accomplishing their task.

Have they accepted the fact that they will perish in the end?
Is the peace that they feel their reward for accomplishing an impossible task?

Then Frodo reminds Sam of Gandalf's words: "Even Gollum may have something yet to do." Frodo continues with: "But for him, Sam, I could not have destroyed the Ring. The Quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him!"

Frodo seems able to forgive, but is this something Sam can do?
Do you think they feel any pity for Gollum now?

[Stormrider]

From: Desi-Baggins Sent: 5/29/2003 9:04 AM
Frodo and Sam might have excepted the fact that they have basically saved ME but themselves will perish. I also think that they are completly exhausted and can't even think to even try to get out of Mordor. I didn't think of the peace they feel as a reward but just as a sign that they completed their task. I would like to believe that Sam forgives Gollum. Gollum did help Sam in a way because Sam didn't have to try to go against Frodo. I think it would have been very hard for Sam to make Frodo get rid of the Ring and maybe Frodo's power with the Ring would have made Sam just keep serving Frodo........

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From: Ruscosenda Sent: 5/29/2003 9:23 AM
I believe they had both accepted their fate. Frodo accepted his fate early into the quest, but Sam would not accept it until he realized that they didn't have enough food and water to make it back out alive.

I believe there is a peace that one can achieve once they accept their eminent death, but only if they accept their life. Had they died before completing their task, I do not believe they would have peace. However, since they had accomplished what they set out to do, they were able to accept their death.

Tolkien never gives us any information about an afterlife for hobbits or men, but based on Tolkien's Catholic beliefs -- it is reasonable to believe that there was something better waiting for those that lived a "good" life.

Forgiveness and mercy are key themes in LOTR. It was Bilbo's mercy that spared Gollum. It was the elves mercy that allowed Gollum to escape. It was Frodo's mercy that spared Gollum at Emyn Muil. It was Sam's mercy that spared Gollum at Mt. Doom. Had any of the previous people not shown mercy to Gollum, the quest would have failed.

Gollum was a wretched, pitiful creature. I believe they both felt pity for Gollum, but I'm not sure Sam forgave him. Sometimes it's easier to forgive someone who mistreated us, than to forgive someone who mistreated a loved one.

-- Rusco

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From: Alaere_Dûnhilien Sent: 5/29/2003 10:53 AM
Wether or not Sam forgives Gollum, I have the feeling that he at least is on the right track towards forgiveness, since he showed pity and did not kill Gollum when he had the chance. I like to think that he may not forgive him immediately, but maybe after a few years, or decades, when he's older and thinks back, and looks upon those things a bit less stern.

After all, he has worn the ring too for a short while, which brought him to pity Gollum. Allowed to think deeper on it, and maybe with less resentment (worn off by the years) he'll be able to forgive him.

Alaere