[HPforGrownups] Harry Potter vs. Will Stanton

[Sapphire]

No: HPFGUIDX 35571

The Dark is Rising Series is my absolute favorite from childhood. I still reread them, 
and have gone through three sets of books. :-) I had a rough childhood, and these 
books got me through in a way..I would dream about being an Old One who had the
power to fix what was wrong...even though Will didn't really deal with matters of the
mortal men, it was still a nice dream. The only thing that bothers me now as an adult
is the almost cold attitude that the Old Ones take towards humanity. I always thought
it was sad that Will was so isolated from his own family after he found out, and as he got
further on in the battle. I didn't want him to be alone, but many times, great heros end up
being alone, it's part of the price. There are definitely parallels, and many differences as well.
Cooper drew heavily on Arthurian legend, and various pagan practices from the old times, 
which is one of the reasons I loved the books so much. But I could identify with Will on some
level. He was a child who was thrown into an adult world and aged before his time..I can relate
to that. Harry seems more light-hearted than DiR, at least now it is, I laughed more while reading
these books, even as the dangers become more grave. Harry has his own life to worry about, but
Will had the fate of the entire world in his hands. Of course, I believe that Harry will ultimately be
the only one who can kill Voldemort, so it may work out the same way. I don't see as much 
mythology in the HP series. While Harry's journey seems to be an adverture, Will's quests 
were more burdens..the burden to save humanity from the Dark Side. Will had a loving family,
yet had to hide who he really was from them, and serve his higher purpose alone, while Harry
was alone to begin with because of the evil in the world...his journey seems to be heading toward
a better life (eventually) than the one he had. I always felt sad for Will in the end for some reason.

Sapphire


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