What a lovely and insightful analysis, Maril. Your discussion of the gradations of Sam and Frodo's relationship from Rivendell to Lothlorian rang absolutely true, from's Sam's shift to Frodo's withdrawal. I missed most of that, and after rereading the books many times in the past 25 years! Thank you. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I agree with you about Frodo's assessment of Sam relative to himself, but what I most loved about your post was this:
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... in serving 'man' he approached unintentionally an ideal. And was somehow ennobled by the very fact that he approached this ideal unknowingly, without the pride of comparison that comes in considering oneself an idealist.
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Very true, very good, very deep. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]