Heren, well written reply.
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I tend to agree with HerenIstarion.
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so do I, mostly. I don't think our two posts are mutually exlusive. As Heren says:
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So, most Frodo was able of doing is to bring the Ring to the mountain. He was destined to fail in respect it was impossible for him to let the Ring go. But as it was impossible at the outset, he did not fail at the same time – he did most of what he was able of doing.
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If you think that Frodo failed because he did not throw the Ring into the fire himself, then I can't change yours or anyone elses mind. I just believe IT DOES NOT MATTER who threw the Ring in. Does anyone command Frodo ALONE to throw the Ring in the fire? No, I don't believe so, it was the role of the Quest to do so, but (and maybe I'm reading Elrond wrong) they didn't say that Frodo alone would have to throw the ring in. That's why he had 8 people helping him! (plus a few more along the way......)
Frodo saved Middle-earth. Yeah, what a failure!
As I said, I can't argue anymore on Frodo failing if people are saying this becuase he did not throw the Ring in. I've said my piece and do not agree on this.
Reading Tolkien's letter, I think he is saying that Frodo saw
himself as a failure. This makes his leaving Middle-earth even more of a bind to me. That he left partly because he felt he let everyone down makes it an even sadder ending than it has been to me before. Poor Frodo.