Magical Middle Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Encaitare · 08-11-2004, 08:37 PM

The reason there are so many similarities between HP and LotR is because Tolkien did everything. You can find echoes of LotR in most fantasy works simply due to the fact that Tolkien has influenced so many writers. I can understand comparing them to an extent, but they're just so different that I hate it when hardcore HP fans bash LotR for no apparant reason. The people at the Downs are so much more friendly than the people at the Internet Movie Database boards!

And Gelmir, a hobbit comes of age at 33, so 50 is not old, but it's not a particularly dapper age to be either

ohtatyaro · 08-12-2004, 01:37 AM

Besides, IMO, firstly we have do define 'magic'. I mean, they are different 'magics' in HP and LoTR, I don't think they (magics) can be compared at all

Isowen · 08-12-2004, 08:22 AM

Yey! finally someone who agrees with me on this!

Lady Gamgee · 08-12-2004, 06:44 PM

I for one do not like Harry Potter. And to compare the 2 in the slightest way is an injustice to LOTR. With HP, it's just like a bunch of kids playing around and having fun with magic. LOTR on the other hand, can make you think it's real, like there really is a ME with Hobbits and Elves and such. I watched the 1st 2 HP movies, and needless to say, I was highly disappointed, even though I thought Haggard was pretty cool ... that's his name, right?? Anyhow, Tolkien knows how to grab & hold you with his work, and PJ helped bring it all to life.

Lhundulinwen · 08-12-2004, 07:34 PM

I read hp before LOTR. (Notice the capitalizations...) I like hp still, but after LOTR... well, after reading that book that is your absolute favorite, the one that changes your life, nothing else can compare. LOTR and hp both deal with good and evil, but LOTR, to me, deals with it in a much more complex way. hp is a book directed at children (but children are not its only audience) and therefore has more frivolous, fanciful, magical parts. LOTR does not have many if any 'childish' scenes. The Hobbit, on the other hand, is directed at children too. The goal of the Hobbit is much lighter than LOTR, and seems to me more magical. (Think of Bert (that was his name, right?) the giant compared to the giants in LOTR) LOTR is much deeper and complex and deals with issues in layers, while hp's morals are laid out and more obvious. I will buy the next 2 hp books, but nothing will ever (EVER) top LOTR. But that's just me...

Laitoste · 08-12-2004, 07:59 PM

Okay, first of all, I really do enjoy Harry Potter. They are excellently written, amusing books (the fifth one makes me so mad at the characters that I often find myself walking away to calm down! Tell me that's not well written.). But, I think they cater to different audiences. After I had read Harry Potter and LotR, I thought, "Hey, this is really cool! The Wizard of Oz is fantasy for little kids, Harry Potter is for older kids, and The Lord of the Rings is for teenages and adults!" Not to say that people can't read them whenever they want, of course.

Finally, I don't think that Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings are comparable. They are about completely different subjects. They have different types of characters, different plots, and different settings. There may be a few similarities (Wormtongue-->Wormtail?), and the themes are similar, but for the most part, they're completely different.

Isowen · 08-13-2004, 03:20 AM

I do like the hp books, but they tend to get boring, but lets keep it about Tolkien. I really wanted to know what your OPINIONS were, rather than if you think LOTR could be compared to hp.
Sorry, I just thought that we were straying off track a little, soooo lets get back to Tolkien please.

Lhundulinwen, very well said thankyou and I agree muchly (is that a word?!?!)
Laitoste, also well said etc. And good point about Wormtail and Wormtongue.
keep it coming........

08-12-2004, 01:37 AM	#2
ohtatyaro Wight Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: here, there, everywhere... Posts: 121	Besides, IMO, firstly we have do define 'magic'. I mean, they are different 'magics' in HP and LoTR, I don't think they (magics) can be compared at all __________________ Reading this sig costs three Galleons, nine Sickles, and a Knut. Pay up!

08-12-2004, 08:22 AM	#3
Isowen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The blackened depths Posts: 86	Yey! finally someone who agrees with me on this! __________________ I hope Butterbur sends this promptly. A worthy man, but his memory is like a lumber -room: Thing wanted always burried, If he forgets, I shall roast him.

08-12-2004, 06:44 PM	#4
Lady Gamgee Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Shire Posts: 30	I for one do not like Harry Potter. And to compare the 2 in the slightest way is an injustice to LOTR. With HP, it's just like a bunch of kids playing around and having fun with magic. LOTR on the other hand, can make you think it's real, like there really is a ME with Hobbits and Elves and such. I watched the 1st 2 HP movies, and needless to say, I was highly disappointed, even though I thought Haggard was pretty cool ... that's his name, right?? Anyhow, Tolkien knows how to grab & hold you with his work, and PJ helped bring it all to life. __________________ "....though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater." ~~ Haldir

08-12-2004, 07:34 PM	#5
Lhundulinwen Wight Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wishin' and hopin' in the Shire Posts: 139	I read hp before LOTR. (Notice the capitalizations...) I like hp still, but after LOTR... well, after reading that book that is your absolute favorite, the one that changes your life, nothing else can compare. LOTR and hp both deal with good and evil, but LOTR, to me, deals with it in a much more complex way. hp is a book directed at children (but children are not its only audience) and therefore has more frivolous, fanciful, magical parts. LOTR does not have many if any 'childish' scenes. The Hobbit, on the other hand, is directed at children too. The goal of the Hobbit is much lighter than LOTR, and seems to me more magical. (Think of Bert (that was his name, right?) the giant compared to the giants in LOTR) LOTR is much deeper and complex and deals with issues in layers, while hp's morals are laid out and more obvious. I will buy the next 2 hp books, but nothing will ever (EVER) top LOTR. But that's just me... __________________ ~Just call on me, and I'm there. I'll always be your Sam~

08-12-2004, 07:59 PM	#6
Laitoste Wight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Behind the hills Posts: 164	It isn't THAT bad! Okay, first of all, I really do enjoy Harry Potter. They are excellently written, amusing books (the fifth one makes me so mad at the characters that I often find myself walking away to calm down! Tell me that's not well written.). But, I think they cater to different audiences. After I had read Harry Potter and LotR, I thought, "Hey, this is really cool! The Wizard of Oz is fantasy for little kids, Harry Potter is for older kids, and The Lord of the Rings is for teenages and adults!" Not to say that people can't read them whenever they want, of course. Finally, I don't think that Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings are comparable. They are about completely different subjects. They have different types of characters, different plots, and different settings. There may be a few similarities (Wormtongue-->Wormtail?), and the themes are similar, but for the most part, they're completely different. __________________ "If we're still alive in the morning, we'll know that we're not dead."~South Park

08-11-2004, 08:37 PM	#1
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	The reason there are so many similarities between HP and LotR is because Tolkien did everything. You can find echoes of LotR in most fantasy works simply due to the fact that Tolkien has influenced so many writers. I can understand comparing them to an extent, but they're just so different that I hate it when hardcore HP fans bash LotR for no apparant reason. The people at the Downs are so much more friendly than the people at the Internet Movie Database boards! And Gelmir, a hobbit comes of age at 33, so 50 is not old, but it's not a particularly dapper age to be either

08-13-2004, 03:20 AM	#7
Isowen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The blackened depths Posts: 86	I do like the hp books, but they tend to get boring, but lets keep it about Tolkien. I really wanted to know what your OPINIONS were, rather than if you think LOTR could be compared to hp. Sorry, I just thought that we were straying off track a little, soooo lets get back to Tolkien please. Lhundulinwen, very well said thankyou and I agree muchly (is that a word?!?!) Laitoste, also well said etc. And good point about Wormtail and Wormtongue. keep it coming........ __________________ I hope Butterbur sends this promptly. A worthy man, but his memory is like a lumber -room: Thing wanted always burried, If he forgets, I shall roast him.