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Old 07-07-2004, 09:19 PM   #33
Fordim Hedgethistle
Gibbering Gibbet
 
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Beyond cloud nine
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Fordim Hedgethistle has been trapped in the Barrow!
Sam, "Sirs" and. . .where is this going?

Perhaps, Bethberry, just as this chapter is the beginning of an evolutionary change in Frodo (and possibly in the nature of evil -- see my post above ) it is also the beginning of an evolutionary change in that class system. Here, in the narrowminded and parochial Shire, we see a 'fallen' form of master-servant relationship. One that is based primarily on financial obligation (amongst other things, remember, Sam is Frodo's tenant), and in which the 'lower' orders are taken quite for granted by their 'betters'.

As the book goes on, of course, we move into an older and more fuller and richer form of the master-servant relationship: lord and vassal; leige and thane; King and subject. Tolkien wishes in the book to recover (and I'm using this word in his sense of it) that older form of bonds between socially differentiated people. These bonds were (ideally, at least) based on love and respect, mutual regard and a two-way recognition of the duty each owed the other (the King owes the subject protection and guidance, the subject owes the King obedience). It's precisely this kind of relationship that Aragorn forges with the people who come to love him.

So perhaps we are meant to be disturbed by Sam's fawning and Pippin's callow mindedness, for these are things that are going to be transformed by a better and fuller form of relationship by the end of the book?
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