Welcome to my series of posts exploring how J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings differs from its film adaptations. As one might expect of such a long book, it is considerably more complex than even a twelve-hour movie could hope to get across. Movies are rarely as good as the book, and The Lord of the Rings is no exception.
Today we’ll be looking at something that’s hinted at in the movies, but there it’s never really brought up. You see, in the film, Sam tells Gandalf,
“I ain’t been dropping no eaves, sir, honest! I was just trimming the grass under the window there, if you follow me.”
Samwise Gamgee, The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Here we’re basically left to assume Sam was telling the truth. In fact, in the book, we later learn that he was indeed eavesdropping on Frodo and Gandalf. If that surprises you, it’s because you’re used to the movie. Nothing to feel bad about, but you should probably read the book.
Merry Knew All Along
One of the differences between the book and the films is that, in the book, there’s a lot more for Merry Brandybuck to do as a character. His personality is also better-defined in the book, with merry being considerably cleverer than in the movie. It is Merry, not Frodo, who helps Gandalf solve the riddle at the Moria gate.
The movie would have us believe that Merry and Pippin became involved in Frodo’s quest by way of a chance meeting in Farmer Maggot’s field. In fact, Merry knew about the Ring for many years before the quest, and had been keeping an eye on Frodo for some time.
The year before Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday, Merry saw Bilbo put on the Ring and briefly disappear to hide from the Sackville-Bagginses. Merry began spying on Bilbo in an attempt to learn all he could, although for a long time he kept what he learned to himself.
After Bilbo’s departure from the Shire, Merry began keeping a close watch on Frodo, worried he might disappear like Bilbo did. Eventually their friends Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, and Fredegar Bolger became involved in Merry’s conspiracy, with Sam acting as their “chief investigator,” responsible for eavesdropping on most of Frodo’s conversations with Gandalf.
A Conspiracy Unmasked
When Sam was caught eavesdropping, leading to Gandalf’s “punishment” of accompanying Frodo on his journey, his claim that he was only curious was not entirely honest. Once Frodo and the conspirators were all gathered in a house in Buckland, Frodo planned to leave the Shire alone. Before Frodo could tell them, Merry more-or-less explained the whole situation to Frodo.
When Frodo insisted that they didn’t understand the danger, Merry told him that they’d all known about the Ring for some time. Sam reminded Frodo what Gandalf said about taking someone on the journey whom he could trust. When Frodo said that he seemingly couldn’t trust anyone, Merry jumped to Sam’s defence:
‘It all depends on what you want,’ put in Merry. ‘You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go of without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We know a good deal about the Ring. We are horribly afraid – but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.’
‘And after all, sir,’ added Sam, ‘you did ought to take the Elves’ Advice. Gildor said you should take them as was willing, and you can’t deny it.’
‘I don’t deny it,’ said Frodo, looking at Sam, who was now grinning. ‘I don’t deny it, but I’ll never believe you are sleeping again, whether you snore or not. I shall kick you hard to make sure.’
The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅰ, Chapter Ⅴ)
Realizing they had his best interests at heart, Frodo agreed to take Sam, Merry, and Pippin with him on his adventure. Fredegar Bolger stayed behind.
As we’ll see many times, things that happen by chance in the movie are often better-explained in the book. Sam wasn’t just trimming the grass; he was eavesdropping out of concern for his friend. This makes him a more active participant in his own story. Since he’s the main character in the book, this is a very good thing.
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