Parallels to Other Stories

[Adam C. Pozek]

No: HPFGUIDX 134598

I know the parallels of the HP series to other stories, particularly LOTR,
have been widely discussed.  However, I only recall seeing a single
reference to the Star Wars story.  IIRC, that reference was simply a
statement on the idea of Harry being somehow related to LV, and the
commenter noted they did not buy into the whole "Luke, I am your father" concept for HP.
 

I am drawn to Star Wars, Episode IV - A New Hope (the very first movie, for those who might be unfamiliar with the films).  When Darth Vader was about to kill Obi Wan Kenobi, Obi Wan said "You can't win Darth.  If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."  As soon as Vader kills Obi Wan, Luke Skywalker is imbued with a sudden strength and conviction.  Some may call it vengeance, while others call it a sudden realization of the gravity of the situation.  Either way, Obi Wan's death is what spurs Luke to succeed in the dangerous task ahead of him.

 

It is clear that HBP follows this path.  During DD's funeral, Harry's
resolve to do what has to be done is strengthened well beyond anything we
have seen in the story thus far.  While there is definitely a vengeful
aspect to his determination, there is also clearly a recognition of his duty
to fulfill the prophecy and "save the world."

 

To take it a step further, we have just seen in Revenge of the Sith how
Anakin Skywalker slowly turned to the dark side.  He was on the good side
and was slowly seduced by the power of the dark side.  When he was almost
killed, he was re-born into a new, stronger body.  Anakin Skywalker was no
longer, and the ominous Darth Vader took his place.
 

While Tom Riddle was never described as good, it was with the gradual
realization of the power of dark magic that he ceased to be Tom Riddle and became known by the more sinister name of LV.  When the attack on Harry rebounded and almost took LV's life, he was eventually reborn into new and more frightening body at the end of GoF.


Many have pontificated that Harry will probably die in the end.  However, the heroes in many stories of the clash between good and evil live to see peaceful times.  Luke Skywalker survives his meeting Darth Vader and the Emperor and returns to his friends at the end.  In LOTR, both Frodo Baggins (barely) and Aragorn survive.


I am not one of those "George Lucas is God" types, and JKR doesn't strike me as someone who would have been particularly influenced by Lucas' films.  However, I am sure both of them (as writers) have some common influences, and I think some of the parallels are interesting.

 

Adam C. Pozek

Alpharetta, GA, USA

adam at adampozek.com

www.adampozek.com

ADMIN Note:  Please remember to keep all discussions on this topic centered on the discussion of JKR's works.   Thanks!