Harry Potter and The Stolen Plot... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galadriel · 08-29-2010, 01:31 AM

Oh wow this thing is older than an Egyptian coffin. I frankly feel Rowling DID rip off a few things, but not exactly the entire plot. Also, I don't find Dobby and Gollum all that similar. But Old Man Willow and than strange Whomping Willow are too alike for my liking

Not to mention Gandalf and Dumbledore.
Then again, most contemporary fantasy authors have, either consciously or unconsciously, ripped something off LotR.

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 08-29-2010, 02:06 PM

For myself, HP and the works of Tolkien were different in one very profound way: Rowling was telling a story. Tolkien was attempting to create a mythology. The depth of thought and work that goes into the latter runs far deeper, IMHO — and it was something I appreciated even when I first read LotR at age 11, back in the mid 1960s. I still appreciate it today. HP didn't work for me the first time I read the word "muggle." But to explain all the whys and wherefores would take more energy than I have at the moment (and possibly take years and cost millions of lives

).

As to the person with the venomous "I'm right" attitude — alas, I've seen that so often over the years, it's something I've come to expect the minute someone begins any discussion comparing one thing to another. "My current favorite fandom, right or wrong (and next week, I'll have a new fave and be dumping just as viciously on what I'm defending today)" is an attitude that apparently grew quite common with the expansion of a media-oriented culture.

Rowling borrowed from Tolkien. So did Terry Brooks and Stephen Donaldson and a lot of other writers. Where the line between homage and rip-off lies is always vague, but is usually a question of how much of the work is "borrowed," and the amount of original thought the author put into it. *

All IMHO, as ever.

Lalaith · 09-05-2010, 02:53 PM

The Downs have become more literate over the years, that's for sure. Some of the spelling, punctuation and syntax back there...*shudder*

alatar · 09-05-2010, 07:21 PM

By the by, note that I am not accusing Rowlings of anything sinister or untoward. I just happened to be reading 'Stone' and noticed that Harry woke up to a bedside Wizard that was able to fill us all in on the last scene.

The HP books are cute, readable, though having read books 1-4 I'm starting to get a little irked at some of the typecasting (i.e. character X always does this). Then again, the Silmarillion has its repetitions...

Galadriel · 09-21-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

The Downs have become more literate over the years, that's for sure. Some of the spelling, punctuation and syntax back there...*shudder*

That, I am afraid, just reminds me of bad fan fiction T_T

Morsul the Dark · 09-13-2010, 05:08 PM

Everyone seems to draw the link between Dumbledore and Gandalf.

I disagree that Dumbledore is too close to Gandalf for comfort, well rather agree and disagree.

They are extremely similar no doubt, however they both fill an Archetype. Merlin and his apprentice, certainly come to mind.

08-29-2010, 01:31 AM	#1
Galadriel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In Eldamar beside the walls of Elven Tirion Posts: 551	Oh wow this thing is older than an Egyptian coffin. I frankly feel Rowling DID rip off a few things, but not exactly the entire plot. Also, I don't find Dobby and Gollum all that similar. But Old Man Willow and than strange Whomping Willow are too alike for my liking Not to mention Gandalf and Dumbledore. Then again, most contemporary fantasy authors have, either consciously or unconsciously, ripped something off LotR. __________________ "Hey! Come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?" – Tom Bombadil

08-29-2010, 02:06 PM	#2
Ibrîniðilpathânezel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the Helcaraxe Posts: 733	For myself, HP and the works of Tolkien were different in one very profound way: Rowling was telling a story. Tolkien was attempting to create a mythology. The depth of thought and work that goes into the latter runs far deeper, IMHO — and it was something I appreciated even when I first read LotR at age 11, back in the mid 1960s. I still appreciate it today. HP didn't work for me the first time I read the word "muggle." But to explain all the whys and wherefores would take more energy than I have at the moment (and possibly take years and cost millions of lives ). As to the person with the venomous "I'm right" attitude — alas, I've seen that so often over the years, it's something I've come to expect the minute someone begins any discussion comparing one thing to another. "My current favorite fandom, right or wrong (and next week, I'll have a new fave and be dumping just as viciously on what I'm defending today)" is an attitude that apparently grew quite common with the expansion of a media-oriented culture. Rowling borrowed from Tolkien. So did Terry Brooks and Stephen Donaldson and a lot of other writers. Where the line between homage and rip-off lies is always vague, but is usually a question of how much of the work is "borrowed," and the amount of original thought the author put into it. * All IMHO, as ever. __________________ Call me Ibrin (or Ibri) :) Originality is the one thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of. — John Stewart Mill

09-05-2010, 02:53 PM	#3
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	The Downs have become more literate over the years, that's for sure. Some of the spelling, punctuation and syntax back there...shudder __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

09-05-2010, 07:21 PM	#4
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	By the by, note that I am not accusing Rowlings of anything sinister or untoward. I just happened to be reading 'Stone' and noticed that Harry woke up to a bedside Wizard that was able to fill us all in on the last scene. The HP books are cute, readable, though having read books 1-4 I'm starting to get a little irked at some of the typecasting (i.e. character X always does this). Then again, the Silmarillion has its repetitions... __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

09-13-2010, 05:08 PM	#6
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	Everyone seems to draw the link between Dumbledore and Gandalf. I disagree that Dumbledore is too close to Gandalf for comfort, well rather agree and disagree. They are extremely similar no doubt, however they both fill an Archetype. Merlin and his apprentice, certainly come to mind.