what if Sam had kept the ring?!!!!!

[Lyta_Underhill]

Tolkien’s point in his letters was not so much that no-one could resist the Ring. It was that absolutely no-one could have resisted the Ring at the Cracks of Doom where it’s influence was at its strongest.

I've got to put in my vote of agreement here! In fact, having Sam alone at the Cracks of Doom, trying to complete the impossible task, would be a turn of events truly heartbreaking and pitiful to behold, for he would not have his Frodo with him, thus, this one desire would take hold of him irresistibly at Sammath Naur. I think he would claim the Ring in order to have Frodo back. He would fall prey to the one emptiness that could overmaster him--he desperately wants to save Frodo. That, to him, is MUCH more important than the Quest. It is serendipitous that he realized this early on and turned about to rescue Frodo on his own, rather than finding this truth inside himself alone on Mount Doom, laid bare to the wiles of the Ring. The question is, would Sam have killed Gollum before this point or not? If he didn't, then he might still be saved by a struggle with Gollum--or Gollum might have been more vehement against Sam, for he had already tried to kill him once. He could not bring himself to attack Frodo directly as he had Sam. I feel perhaps that Gollum would have tried to push Sam into the Fire.

I, for one, am glad I didn't have to witness the Ring overmastering Sam at the Cracks of Doom, for it would have happened, and it would have been truly sad, for his fall would come without Frodo, his hope would be lost. I couldn't bear to see that happen to Sam!

Cheers,
Lyta