to leave Frodo, even though he believes Frodo is dead. Again, I don't see
how Sam could have made it if he had not ultimately left Frodo, but that does
not mean a Higher Power influenced his decision. Surely a Higher Power
would have been capable of helping Sam if he had decided to defend Frodo's
body. Sam did what he thought was best, and it turned out to be the wrong
decision, but in this quest it matters more that Sam's heart was in the right
place, so even his mistakes turn out for the best. In Tolkien's world it
is better to make the wrong choice for the right reason than to make the right
choice for the wrong reasons.
I do think the debate is in Sam's heart. He decides to leave Frodo
because his heart tells him the mission must continue. Of course his
heart also wants to stay with Frodo and forget about the mission. But as
I noted above, Sam's heart is in the right place at all times, and for that
reason even his mistakes turn out for the best. That might not have been
the case if he had decided to go after
Gollum.
My Tolkien blog.________________________________________
"‘I think he was a silly little man,' said Councillor Tompkins. ‘Worthless, in fact; no use to Society at all.'
"‘Oh, I don't know,' said Atkins, who was nobody of importance, just a schoolmaster. ‘I am not so sure: it depends on what you mean by use .'
"‘No practical or economic use,' said Tompkins. . . .
. . .
"‘It is proving very useful indeed,' said the Second Voice. ‘As a holiday, and a refreshment. It is splendid for convalescence; and not only for that, for many it is the best introduction to the Mountains. It works wonders in some cases. I am sending more and more there. They seldom have to come back.'"
