The Veil, HP & LOTR ?]

[inkling108]

No: HPFGUIDX 120818


(Big snip)

Geoff wrote: 
> > I go back though to my first point; we cannot make characters 
from 
> > each book fit the same template. There is no "one size fits all".
 
GEO replied: Agreed, but the comparisons are fun though I don't 
think they can be used to predict future events.

Inkling now:

True -- although looking at some of the similar patterns may give 
hints.  For example:

A hero who feels more and more alone even as his friends risk 
everything for his sake (Frodo/Harry, although I agree that Harry in 
many ways resembles Aragorn more than Frodo).  This loneliness will 
intensify for Harry as the implications of the prophecy sink in.  
How will he deal with it?  Will he be able to endure the loneliness 
and struggle till the end, or will he fall short as Frodo did, and 
be saved in spite of it by some unexpected and unintentional grace 
from friend or foe?

A mirroring effect between the protagonist and an "evil" twin (in 
LOTR Frodo/Gollum, in HP Harry/You know who).  A sense of "I could 
have been you.  I'm afraid of turning into you.  In some ways I *am* 
you already."  This double identity (Tom Riddle, as John Granger 
points out, could be translated as Twin Enigma) is the key to 
everything in the HP series and so it's particularly tricky to 
compare it to LOTR.   But Gollum did save Frodo in the end.  The 
connection between them proved redemptive against all expectation 
and I think the same will be true of the connection between Harry 
and Voldy. 

In LOTR, Gollum was the wild card, a character whose ultimate 
allegiance was uncertain and whose actions tipped the balance 
(literally).  In HP that role could be played by Wormtail and Snape 
or both.  

Another LOTR plot pattern that I think we may also see in books 6 
and 7 of HP is that of a fellowship which is strong against external 
enemies but can be weakened from within -- as with Boromir in LOTR.  
JKR has been setting up this possibility with with several 
characters.  Here are some that come to mind immediately: 

 --> Ron is preoccupied with money.  He "hates being poor."  JKR has 
made such a point of this so often that I feel sure he will face a 
major temptation to do with money, and how he handles it will be 
crucial to the fate of the good guys.

 --> Snape goes more than a little bit mad when his emotions are 
aroused.  He did so in the Shreiking Shack in book 3, and again when 
he discovered Harry in the pensieve.  This is especially dangerous 
for a spy who depends on occulmency to keep his cover.  As he told 
Harry "Fools...who cannot control their emotions...stand no chance 
against his powers!"  He may also change his allegiance in a moment 
of emotion with catastrophic consequences for the side he betrays.  
(As you can tell I'm not sure whose side he's really on!)  
  
 --> Lupin cares too much about approval and being liked.  This is 
what prevented him from telling Dumbledore about Sirius being an 
animagus in book 3 and from reining in James and Sirius when he was 
a prefect.  If he once again keeps silent on some crucial 
information because of this fear, the good guys are in trouble.

 --> Hermione can be too clever for her own good -- as discussed in 
recent posts, her brilliant ideas can have unforeseen complications.

 --> Moody has a tendency to be paranoid.  This may cause him to 
overlook a serious danger in his preoccupation with a minor or even 
imaginary one -- He may strain a gnat while swallowing a camel.

There may be more but I'm getting sleepy!  Please add to the list if 
you are so inclined.

Neville, by contrast, may prove the most trustworthy of all because 
he has faced his weakness -- fear of power -- and is mastering it.  
It may be significant that Neville was the last man standing with 
Harry during the battle at the Ministry at the end of OOtP.  Neville 
may turn out to be Harry's Sam.

Inkling, turning in for the night.