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Originally Posted by orionsixwings I can't shake the feeling that Rowling has really recycled most of her ideas. Then again, it's not exactly plagiarism so I guess it's okay. |
Originality has never been a JK selling point. I'm not really sure what was.
Mildred the Worst Witch was there with the whole "wizard school" long before Harry Potter (and there's probably an even earlier reference)
The "dark lord/wizard" - take your pick from Tolkien, D&D and any number of numerous earlier works.
Actually, while I'm writing this, I can't help comparing Harry Potter to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz...
Wicked witch of the west = Voldemort
Glinda the good witch of the north = Dumbledore
The Tin Man = Snape (~"if he only had a heart"~)
The Cowardly Lion = Ron
The Scarecrow = Hagrid
Not sure what that makes Hermione (possibly Toto or an annoying munchkin??
)
Slightly more seriously, I guess JK's success was transcribing all these stereotypes & magical environments to a recognisable school setting.
It's Grange Hill (or possibly Byker Grove, considering my location!
) with wands, in many ways.......