Of Sam and hobbits~
Your weekly Tolkien Day Quote:
"Sam is meant to be lovable and laughable. Some readers he irritates and even infuriates. I can well understand it. All hobbits at times affect me in the same way, though I remain very fond of them. But Sam can be very 'trying'. He is a more representative hobbit than any others that we have to see much of; and he has consequently a stronger ingredient of that quality which even some hobbits found at times hard to bear: a vulgarity --by which I do not mean a mere 'down-to-earthiness' --a mental myopia which is proud of itself, a smugness (in varying degrees) and cocksureness, and a readiness to measure and sum all things from a limited experience, largely enshrined in sententious traditional 'wisdom'. We only meet exceptional hobbits in close companionship--those who had a grace or gift: a vision of beauty, and a reverence for things nobler than themselves, at war with their rustic self-satisfaction. Imagine Sam without his education by Bilbo and his fascination with things Elvish! Not difficult. The Cotton family and the Gaffer, when the 'Travellers' return are a sufficient glimpse.
Sam was cocksure, and deep down a little conceited; but his conceit had been transformed by his devotion to Frodo. He did not think of himself as heroic or even brave, or in any way admirable--except in his service and loyalty to his master. ..."
~Brought to you by the infamous Letter 246 ;) =)
I've been thinking of posting this for a while but sometimes i feel that Tolkien is a bit harsh on Sam--cocksure and conceited? i guess in some ways but always to me, those adjectives sound a bit harsh... And it always sounds a bit negative in the beginning but then again, this is Tolkien's point of view of the character which he let narrate in Book 4 and Book 6.... (and not to mention thinking he's the "chief hero" in some other letter...) But i have to keep in mind that all characters have flaws right? Even favorite ones. ;)
Sam is Love either way to me and his bravery and loyalty are the qualities that i love best about him. ♥ ♥
"Sam is meant to be lovable and laughable. Some readers he irritates and even infuriates. I can well understand it. All hobbits at times affect me in the same way, though I remain very fond of them. But Sam can be very 'trying'. He is a more representative hobbit than any others that we have to see much of; and he has consequently a stronger ingredient of that quality which even some hobbits found at times hard to bear: a vulgarity --by which I do not mean a mere 'down-to-earthiness' --a mental myopia which is proud of itself, a smugness (in varying degrees) and cocksureness, and a readiness to measure and sum all things from a limited experience, largely enshrined in sententious traditional 'wisdom'. We only meet exceptional hobbits in close companionship--those who had a grace or gift: a vision of beauty, and a reverence for things nobler than themselves, at war with their rustic self-satisfaction. Imagine Sam without his education by Bilbo and his fascination with things Elvish! Not difficult. The Cotton family and the Gaffer, when the 'Travellers' return are a sufficient glimpse.
Sam was cocksure, and deep down a little conceited; but his conceit had been transformed by his devotion to Frodo. He did not think of himself as heroic or even brave, or in any way admirable--except in his service and loyalty to his master. ..."
~Brought to you by the infamous Letter 246 ;) =)
I've been thinking of posting this for a while but sometimes i feel that Tolkien is a bit harsh on Sam--cocksure and conceited? i guess in some ways but always to me, those adjectives sound a bit harsh... And it always sounds a bit negative in the beginning but then again, this is Tolkien's point of view of the character which he let narrate in Book 4 and Book 6.... (and not to mention thinking he's the "chief hero" in some other letter...) But i have to keep in mind that all characters have flaws right? Even favorite ones. ;)
Sam is Love either way to me and his bravery and loyalty are the qualities that i love best about him. ♥ ♥
