Biggest Heroes in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion

[Pervinca Took]

I agree, Lotrelf. I also think Frodo was just as brave after his quest as during it, and that a substantial part of his decision to sail west was so as not to cast a shadow of illness and death over the lives of his friends. Although I am confident that it was the best decision for himself, too, and that he knew it. It still takes gumption to do something like that. There is an element of a "leap of faith" in the decision to depart for Tol Eressea on a one-way ticket, even, as Tolkien put it, for "someone who had been through Frodo's experiences."

Edit: good point, Morthoron!

[Lotrelf]

Originally Posted by Pervinca Took

Although I am confident that it was the best decision for himself, too, and that he knew it. It still takes gumption to do something like that. There is an element of a "leap of faith" in the decision to depart for Tol Eressea on a one-way ticket, even, as Tolkien put it, for "someone who had been through Frodo's experiences."

Yes, it was indeed the best thing he could do for himself and those he loved. It gives me a message! Like, in modern society, people "fail" and they wish to end their lives. While they may have another chance too, but they choose to finish it all, and commit suicide. Frodo, OTOH, lives on. He gives himself another chance.
IIRC, Tolkien said that Frodo decided to go across the Sea after his illness in 1420, when farmer Cotton saw him.