Re-reading the Lord of the Rings, Chapter 38

Kindred spirits, Faramir isn't like Gandalf, he's like Frodo, certainly no wimp, more like Aragorn than like his brother Boromir, though less proud.

And Boromir was like Éomer.

This chapter serves to reflect upon these things, kindred spirits and the different turn of events they find themselves in.

It also tells the story of their approach, that Sam of all people would spill the beans, for Frodo is dear to him and so his heart is moved the most, when he seems to have found a Man like Frodo (hard to avoid the unintended here).

But in earnestness, it's a very common thing that your best friend is struck by how much somebody else is like you and points it out to you, although that is usually not the best matchmaking advice and more like a knee-jerk reaction.

Gandalf, of course, is to Frodo, what Frodo is to Sam. So there's also a considering of similar roles filled by different spirits here.

One may say that through the Window on the West we get a glimpse at the tapestry of fate.

Plotwise the chapter serves of course to introduce Gondor some more.