Sam as Frodo's Garner - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

R.R.J Tolkien · 03-19-2020, 07:49 AM

Question on Sam as Frodo's garner. Was he paid for this service? did he do it for free? how did it come about?

thanks.

Inziladun · 03-19-2020, 09:50 AM

The use of money is well documented in the Shire, so I imagine service workers like Sam were paid. The Gaffer had worked for Bilbo before, so the post wasn't simply Sam helping a friend. Since Sam was also a friend, Frodo probably also gave the Gamgees food items and other sundries from time to time.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 04-08-2020, 05:51 AM

Frodo and Sam have a normal, albeit friendly, master and servant relationship at first, but obviously that changes somewhat during the course of LR. In A Long Expected Party, Hamfast Gamgee mentions having been "prentice" to the previous Bag End gardener, Holman. We can presume, then, a more or less formal system of apprenticeships, which would make gardening a trade in the Shire. Actually a family trade, since Holman is Hamfast's first cousin at one remove through his grandfather's brother Halfred. Tradesmen normally expect payment.

It seems that Bilbo was a considerate employer, and he left Hamfast Gamgee some extremely useful items when he departed. It also seems that Bilbo and Frodo after him treated their gardeners with no little respect and consideration, especially deferring to their professional opinions.

Incidentally, there was a chemist's shop in Exmouth (not very far from Sidmouth) in the 1920s and '30s called Holman and Ham. I've often wondered if Tolkien ever saw it on one of his holidays.

03-19-2020, 07:49 AM	#1
R.R.J Tolkien Wight Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 156	Sam as Frodo's Garner Question on Sam as Frodo's garner. Was he paid for this service? did he do it for free? how did it come about? thanks. __________________ “I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size). I like gardens, trees and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food...I am fond of mushrooms.” -J.R.R Tolkien

03-19-2020, 09:50 AM	#2
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	The use of money is well documented in the Shire, so I imagine service workers like Sam were paid. The Gaffer had worked for Bilbo before, so the post wasn't simply Sam helping a friend. Since Sam was also a friend, Frodo probably also gave the Gamgees food items and other sundries from time to time. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

04-08-2020, 05:51 AM	#3
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Frodo and Sam have a normal, albeit friendly, master and servant relationship at first, but obviously that changes somewhat during the course of LR. In A Long Expected Party, Hamfast Gamgee mentions having been "prentice" to the previous Bag End gardener, Holman. We can presume, then, a more or less formal system of apprenticeships, which would make gardening a trade in the Shire. Actually a family trade, since Holman is Hamfast's first cousin at one remove through his grandfather's brother Halfred. Tradesmen normally expect payment. It seems that Bilbo was a considerate employer, and he left Hamfast Gamgee some extremely useful items when he departed. It also seems that Bilbo and Frodo after him treated their gardeners with no little respect and consideration, especially deferring to their professional opinions. Incidentally, there was a chemist's shop in Exmouth (not very far from Sidmouth) in the 1920s and '30s called Holman and Ham. I've often wondered if Tolkien ever saw it on one of his holidays. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?