If you were to conjure up a mental image of a heroic figure, whatever surefooted warrior you concocted would likely bear little to no resemblance (physical or otherwise) to someone like me. I am—and always have been—sensitive, gentle in temperament, and prone to setting aside ambition to weigh doing well with doing good. And it's been hard to parse that sense of self when it feels it can never amount to that Herculean expectation of striving, succeeding, and winning—doing it all with an ironclad conviction.
In reality, our cultural understanding of heroics has grown past that of myths and legends. We've lived through enough moments of great upheaval to recognize that heroics have little to do with who’s charging headfirst into battle or basking in the glow of glory. Communities have survived tumult through the support and guidance of nonprofits and sociopolitical movements, the very embodiment of the notion that leadership is not always synonymous with power or control. And in my own life, I've seen time and again that courage does not have to be loud or overstated—in fact, the bravest folks often ward off unthinkable evils and triumph over tremendous obstacles in complete silence. But even still, there is one act of valor that remains largely unsung: remaining relentlessly kind and caring in a culture that routinely champions the loudest and most forceful. Such steadfast gentleness and compassion demonstrates a dauntlessness all its own: the audacity to believe in, and hope for, a better world.
’s has no shortage of heroic figures. The list includes the bold yet diplomatic , a born leader and the rightful King of Gondor; the skilled warrior , fully dedicated to his people; the wizard , whose powers and wisdom were largely unmatched; the earnest and battle-ready dwarf ; and , an Elven prince turned compatriot. And, of course, there's the unlikely quest hero, , and his three fellow Hobbits, , , and Samwise, all setting out on a journey far beyond the reaches of their wildest imaginations—or their grimmest nightmares. Beyond the Fellowship, there are heroes still: King Theoden, Eowyn, Faramir, Elrond, and Galadriel, to name just a few.
Sam insists on escorting Frodo to Mordor.
<a href=https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Fellowship-of-the-Ring-Audiobook/1705047572>The Fellowship of the Ring
So, what is it about Samwise Gamgee that makes him such a standout in a cast of characters marked by their gallantry? After all, Sam is not of royal lineage nor is he particularly gifted with a broadsword, axe, or mystical abilities. But Sam represents a kind of heroism that we’re all capable of. He is good, humble, unselfish, and tenderhearted. And when the odds are stacked against them, when Frodo wants to give up and give in to the corrupting power of the One Ring, it’s Sam who keeps the journey on track and drives them toward Mount Doom. Though Frodo’s will and perseverance alone is heroic in its own right, it’s undeniable that, without the care, guidance, protection, and encouragement of his dear friend Sam, the journey would’ve been a failure.
