Rowling and Tolkien (Longbottom)

[aldrea279]

No: HPFGUIDX 39048

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "anglinsbees" <anglinsbees at y...> wrote:
> I have been rereading "The Two Towers" again, and noticed something 
> that had my jaw hanging open- "Longbottom" was the name of the 
> Hobbit who first introduced pipeweed to the shire- and he was 
famous 
> for his gardens and get <this> his herbs!

I'm re-reading TTT myself right now...didn't notice that, lol.  I 
don't reallt like paralleling things with names.  But, that is rather 
interesting.
 
> There are so many similarities between Tolkien and the Harry Potter 
> world- the obvious ones such as Gandalf/ Dumbledore, Peter 
Pettigrew 
> and Gollum (Both groveling whiners, who were placed in the heros 
> debt through acts of mercy.  Gandalfs words to Frodo, which he 
> remembers when he decides to spare Gollum as they travel to Mordor 
> are strikingly similar to those Rowling puts in Harry and 
> Dumbledores minds and mouths on the subject of Peter.)

I read LotR before I picked up HP, and I have always always pictured 
Dumbledore as almost exactly like I picture Gandalf.  I can't help 
it, they're both so alike- physically and characteristically.  I 
agree on the Pettigrew/Gollum parallel.  Was it not said somewhere 
that Pettigrew would be the one to bring back the Dark Lord?  Gah, if 
only I had a copy of GoF handy.  But I find that intersting in 
parallel to the way Gollum is the one that directs the Dark Lord of 
LotR's attention to "shire" and "hobbits", -almost- bringing the Dark 
Lord to power if he had gotten ahold of the Ring.  There is an 
obvious parallel between Harry/Frodo- both orphans, both very much 
caught in the struggle between good and evil, and both destined to 
play a huge rule in the take down of each series Dark Lord.

> Despite the similarities, I cannot help but note the huge 
> differences.  (Ron has very little in common with Samwise,lol!)  
Has 
> anyone noticed and  analyzed parelells?  While I do think that 
Peter 
> will have a decisive role in the overthrow of Voldemort, just as 
> Gollum did in the destruction of the ring,

There is an obvious parallel between Harry/Frodo- both orphans, both 
very much caught in the struggle between good and evil, and both 
destined to play a huge rule in the take down of each series Dark 
Lord.  But I agree with the whole Sam and Ron thing.  Infact, I see 
more of Sam in Neville than any of the characters so far.  Since 
there are no leading ladies(unless you count the movie's version of 
some of the female roles...bleh), I'm not really seeing a strong 
parallel for Hermione.  But for Ron....hmm, he somewhat reminds me of 
Boromir.  I can't be too sure of this because Boromir's character was 
not wholly developed, but they are both rather jealous types, it 
seems, and wanting to better their positioin/selves.  Plus, as Ron is 
jealous of Harry, Boromir was quite jealous of Frodo. And if Ron ever 
unintentionally went bad, that would make the parallel stronger.


I do hope Harry comes 
> through with both hands intact!

Lol, I share your hope.  Although I don't believe Harry will be 
making it through without any lasting scars...but hopefully they 
won't be the kind that bother him yearly.

"Aldrea"