The Two Towers

by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Two Towers: Flashbacks 1 key example

Book 4, Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—A Light in His Mind:

In Book 4, Chapter 9, while fighting the evil spider Shelob, Samwise has a flashback to Lorien and the words of Galadriel. In a moment when it seems all is lost, Sam has a vision of light, then hears Galadriel's voice reminding him to use the gift she gave to Frodo, the phial of light:

[...] darkness about him and a blackness of despair and anger in his heart, it seemed to him that he saw a light: a light in his mind, almost unbearably bright at first, as a sun-ray to the eyes of one long hidden in a windowless pit. Then the light became colour: green, gold, silver, white. Far off, as in a little picture drawn by elven-fingers, he saw the Lady Galadriel standing on the grass in Lórien, and gifts were in her hands. And you, Ring-bearer, he heard her say, remote but clear, for you I have prepared this