Session Information
HPEF - Azkatraz 2009
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The Lord of the Hallows: JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling as Sub-creators of Christian Myth
Track : Monday, July 20, 2009
Program Code: 840
Date: Monday, July 20, 2009
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM  EST
Location: Powell (90)
SPEAKER :
Denise Roper
Description
This presentation will feature an in-depth comparison of two of the greatest fantasy epics of our time: The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. The common themes of sacrifice, free will, good versus evil, death, immortality, love, and friendship will be discussed, along with the similarities between the forging of the One Ring and the making of Horcruxes. This paper will examine Rowling's portrayal of Harry as a Christ figure and Tolkien's depiction of the Messianic trio of Prophet (Gandalf), Priest (Frodo), and King (Aragorn). This presentation will explain Tolkien's notion of "The Long Defeat," Tolkien and Rowling's perspectives on the nature of evil, and the Tolkienian concept of "eucatastrophe" and how it is used in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.