Gabe L. answers “Do you think if Sam was more compassionate...”

Karen Szklany asked this question about The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2):

Do you think if Sam was more compassionate toward Smeagol/Gollum, the creature would have been able to turn back from evil, let go of the ring, and lived a longer, more peaceful life f or the rest of his days?

Gabe L. In my opinion, no. Gollum held the ring for 500 years and had 500 years to be exposed to the Ring's corruptive power. Also, Gollum acquired the ring b…moreIn my opinion, no. Gollum held the ring for 500 years and had 500 years to be exposed to the Ring's corruptive power. Also, Gollum acquired the ring by killing his friend Deagol. That made the Ring's power take hold of him much stronger and faster than it would if he had just found the ring like Bilbo did. Gollum's mind was completely twisted around the Ring. He felt he needed it, and that's why he couldn't ever recover from its corruption, unless the Ring was destroyed.(less)

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