Potter derivative of LOTR? No!

[Julie (a.k.a. Viola)]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., hfakhro at n... wrote:
> My friend insists that regardless of what Rowling says, some of the 
> similarities are as follows: Wormtail is a tribute to Wormtongue 
> (character and name), Dumbledore is Gandalf, and the Black Riders 
are 
> the source for Dementors. Among other things she also says that 
> Rowling took some names from Tolkien such as Longbottom (I can't 
> remember the others that she mentioned.) She also thinks that 
Rowling 
> filched elements from the world itself such as wizards, elves, 
> goblins, etc and made them behave similarly in her books. This is a 
> more general question (and I feel a bit stupid asking) but aren't 
> wizards, goblins, elves etc ancient creations before Tolkien? I.E. 
he 
> didn't invent them either did he?

*laughs* Well, your friend is right in this respect: Rowling couldn't 
help but be influenced by Tolkien, considering that he essentially 
invented the genre of modern fantasy.

Sure wizards, elves, etc. were around in common folklore before 
Tolkien, but he presented them in a way completely different from 
traditional storytelling - particularly the elves. 

So, sure there are some similar elements. But, Rowling borrows less 
from Tolkien than other contemporary authors who write so-
called 'high fantasy' of the sword and sorcery, D&D variety (e.g. 
Raymond Feist... who is the only example I can come up with since I'm 
not overly fond of this genre ^_^;). Rowling falls more into the same 
category with authors like Neil Gaiman and Philip Pullman, who write 
stories with traditional fantastic elements in a modern setting.

I don't know whether that helps your defense or not. ^_^

-Julie (who has taken too many 20th century lit classes for her own 
good)