International Conference Discusses HP, Tolkein

[Jim Flanagan]

No: HPFGUIDX 18710

I just found a good article about the recent International Congress 
on Medieval Studies held at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, 
MI.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/12/arts/12MIDD.html (site registration 
required)

Here's a quote from the story:

"Tolkien refashioned the old medieval epics into what we now call 
fantasy literature," ... "He's the bridge figure who updated the 
genre. Harry Potter is infused with the Middle Earth ethos, which is 
about the ordinary or smaller man who goes on to win great victories."
(Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company)

Rowling's Harry Potter has played, for the most part, the "smaller 
man" role thus far in the canon. She *does* stretch the model by 
relying on shortcuts such as "mother's protection" and "Priori 
Incantantem" which allow Harry to triumph in virtually impossible 
situations; and of course there's the "phoenix ex machina" in book 2. 
Harry prevailed because he was a couragous and virtuous person, which 
is a feature of many ancient stories -- e.g., Arthur pulling the 
sword from the stone.

IMHO, something is lost when Harry is turned into a superhero, as in 
some fanfic. Kudos to JKR for going against the flow of Saturday 
Morning Television and giving us stories out of such a venerable 
tradition.

-Jim Flanagan