"It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were; and sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances to turn back only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding onto something."
-Samwise Gamgee
PS Everyone seems to really hate on Frodo, so I'm going to clarify my position on everyone's favorite hobbit to hate. EVERYONE IS WRONG. The end. Frodo is awesome, and I am always reduced to a human hosepipe at the end when Frodo goes to Valinor, every time without fail. Also, the part (in the movie) when he talks about how he can't remember the taste of strawberries. I'm basically watering plants out of my eyes. I think this is a good time to confess (in small print, notice, in hopes that you won't read it) that a few summers ago, I decided to become proficient in Elvish (Quenya, to be specific, because there are two Elvish languages: Quenya and Sindarin). And I did. I was so good that I could translate songs and write in ancient Elvish script and conjugate verbs in every tense 'til the cows came home. I haven't practiced at all, so I don't remember much. But I remember some. Humiliating confession #85. I can see my coolness factor dropping in your eyes. I appear so normal in real life. DON'T LET MY NORMALCY DECEIVE YOU. Beneath this socially acceptable veneer, lies a nerd, just waiting to break free in post scripts on the Internet.
PPS Frodo is still the hobbit love of my life. Sorry, Sam. Your inspirational speeches are brilliant, but alas, you're still second place in my heart.
This is awesome. And I'm right there with you in my love of all things Frodo. Of course, I was a fan before the movies ever were a thought, and Elijah Woods did an excellent job playing the part IMHO. I still love the books more, but the LOTR movies are my favorite of all time.
ReplyDeleteBtw, that is so cool that you became proficient in Elvish linguistics. Question though. Have you ever plunged through the Silmarillian? It's a rough read, but I found it incredibly interesting.
I'm actually reading LOTR right now, and I agree, Frodo's definitely amazing. I've always sort of preferred Pippin myself, just because he's adorable, but Frodo is pretty much the most impressive hobbit there is.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your coolness factor is definitely increased in my eyes about the Elvish thing, but that may not be a good thing, since I'm kind of a nerd.
And that speech by Sam?
Always makes me cry.
That was a fantastic speech. Made my heart strings tremble.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I'm one of those Frodo haters. Well, hate is a strong word. Let's just say lots of times I wanted to smack him over the head. Yes, he was a tough hobbit and did some amazing, awesome things. I give props, but hobbit got on my nerves. There were a lot of moments where I was like OMG WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?!! And poor Sam stuck through it. So loyal and faithful, and Frodo ditches him for Gollum/Smeagol?! Really?!
Ahem. Confession though, I never got through the trilogy. Didn't read the books until I'd seen the movies (which were amazing), so I will admit that my impression of Frodo is mostly based on movie!Frodo. I did read 1.5 books though, and I think he was less annoying but still did nothing for me. Truthfully, I stopped reading Two Towers because I got to the Frodo & Sam half and it got too boring.
I know, I fail at being a geek in this respect. So impressive that you were fluent in Elvish! WTF. You shouldn't be embarrassed about geekiness/nerdiness. BE PROUD! I've done and acted far more embarrassingly in that respect (though I've never become really fluent in another language - made-up or real). ;)
Great motivation! And why do people hate Frodo? I don't. Maybe I'm just being superficial? But I love Frodo too!
ReplyDeleteThat is my favorite Sam quote and definitely my favorite part of The Two Towers movie. So inspiring.
ReplyDeleteEric - I've never read The Silmarillian, but it's definitely on my to-read list. When I muster up the willpower to plow through it.
ReplyDeleteBethany Elizabeth - I think Merry is my second favorite hobbit. But Merry and Pippin are both super awesome.
Krispy - But it's movie!Frodo that I love! I love him because I think, more than the book, he portrays the emotional torture that Frodo goes through while he carries the ring. That's why I cry so hard when he leaves for Valinor at the end, because it shows how after the journey was over, Frodo was so changed that he could not ever return to the hobbit he had been before, which forced him to go to Valinor. It was the only place he could heal. And it makes me horribly sad, because he was so sweet and innocent in the beginning. Poor Frodo! He didn't ask for any of it. He just has amazing emotional depth and I adore him.
Elana J - Yay, more Frodo lovers!
greenconverses - Ditto. That part of the movie is amazing.
I get that about Frodo (movie and book), and I respect that. It also makes me terribly sad when he has to leave because it's the only thing he can do, even if it means leaving his friends behind. It's very touching.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER, he still annoyed me overall, and I know a lot of his most infuriating decisions had to do with the Ring playing crazy mind games, but sometimes I was just very exasperated. I guess I feel like Sam had to deal with almost as much crap as Frodo did, and he went above and beyond the sort of impromptu "call of duty" that Gandalf placed on him, BUT he didn't get nearly enough credit for it. Everyone's all YAY FRODO SAVED THE DAY! and I'm like UM, he wouldn't have if Sam hadn't gone after Frodo (despite Frodo telling him to go home), thus saving him from the GROSS GIANT SPIDER and then literally hauled his butt up Mount Doom because Frodo was apparently too exhausted (but evidently not THAT exhausted since he managed to sprint for it in the last stretch while Sam was busy getting attacked by Gollum). And that's just the last movie. All the epic things Sam did to keep Frodo from biting it, and everyone's like "Great job Frodo! You saved the day!!! Oh and you too Sam. Thanks for looking out for him." Maybe I'm just bitter for Sam's sake. I don't know, haha. I admire you for your adamant love for Frodo.
I love Frodo, Sam, and everything about the books (and the movies!). Great quote!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I didn't love the creepy spider thing in the last movie. It grossed me out--but everything else, I loved!
Ok, so I don't know anything about LOTR (don't hate me!), but I love that quote. Write on, friend. Keep the faith.
ReplyDeleteI loved your small fonted comment at the end! My best friend and I sooooo wanted to learn Elvish (we didn't know there were 2 languages back then :P), but all we got was a webpage where you could "convert your name to Elvish". We did it and we still call each other by those names XD
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, you should never judge a book by its over, there's an awful lot of us nerds wearing normal people disguises :)