Cheers to a truly influential author who def changed my life

Happy birthday to the Professor! (yesterday 1/3)

"But at this point the 'salvation' of the world and Frodo's own 'salvation' is achieved by his previous pity and forgiveness of injury. At any point any prudent person would have told Frodo that Gollum would certainly (not quite certainly - the clumsiness in fidelity of Sam was what finally pushed Gollum over the brink, when about to repent) betray him, and could rob him in the end. To 'pity' him, to forbear to kill him, was a piece of folly, or a mystical belief in the ultimate value-in-itself of pity and generosity even if disastrous in the world of time. He did rob him and injure him in the end - but by a 'grace', that last betrayal was at a precise juncture when the final evil deed was the most beneficial thing anyone could have done for Frodo! By a situation created by his 'forgiveness, he was saved himself, and relieved of his burden. He was very justly accorded the highest honours - since it is clear that he and Sam never concealed the precise course of events."

Letter 181, The Letters of JRR Tolkien

This letter is as good as 246 which said that Frodo did not fail, and this addresses the concept of pity and forgiveness and injury. Remember Frodo did tell Sam at the end that he and Gandalf knew that Gollum had a part to play in the end.

“But do you remember Gandalf's words: Even Gollum may have something yet to do? But for him, Sam, I could not have destroyed the Ring. The Quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him!"