Sam

‘But you’ve left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. “I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn’t they put in more of his talk, dad? That’s what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Sam, would he, dad?”’ — The Lord of the Rings, §4.08.065

Those of you who know Tolkien’s story best from Peter Jackson’s treatment really don’t know Sam as Tolkien portrayed him. Humphrey Carpenter quotes Tolkien in J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography (p. 81) as saying that “his”

‘Sam Gamgee’ is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognised as so far superior to myself.

Though Frodo is the “hero” in our book, everything was harder for Sam. With the sole exception of the burden of the ring itself, Sam had to face everything Frodo faced: enemies, fear, privation, loneliness. In addition, as Frodo’s servant he was responsible for meals, planning, keeping Frodo’s spirit up, guarding against Gollum’s tricks, … and having that all-important bit of rope, or salt, or whatnot, carefully hidden away.

And of course, now, I’m really talking about Karen — my Sam. Karen has kept my spirits up, gotten me to appointments, kept my various medications straight, encouraged me to keep feeding through my j-tube, kept track of who I’ve told about the cancer and who I haven’t yet, … all while she continues to work her different-every-week assortment of gigs, call our local contra dance, aid Timothy’s course selection at Brown, work out schedules for Cameron’s last college visits, and pick up my slack by mowing the lawn, cleaning the bird cage, &c., &c., &c.

I cannot imagine a better companion through all of this, and though I would never wish any of this on her, I am perpetually and deeply humbled and grateful that she is here and that she is who she is.

“Thank you, Sam.” — The Lord of the Rings, §6.03.056