Lord Of The Rings versus Harry Potter

By Maria Jose Jordan

19/9/03

This essay is going to be mainly about The Lord Of The Rings and the Harry Potter series and which one I think has been a favourite to the public. I have many friends who don't read and most hate it. I used to ask them if they had seen or read the Lord Of The Rings movies or books... and one said she had. Through the time; the friend who read them and also the Harry Potter series has shown to be a true fan of the Lord Of The Rings books. She had everything about them. She also liked Harry Potter very much.

Now... she did a presentation on my English Class about Tolkien and my English teacher saw the movie after that... to understand better what she was talking about. Days after; my teacher said that she had found it very boring and too long for her. My other classmates; some, agreed on it. My teacher said that she didn't like fantasy so that was another reason why she didn't like it.

What's that got to do with this? I'll tell you. I've read both series and have all the books; seen all the movies which are out... etc. But; who's more famous? Harry Potter or The Lord Of The Rings? I, like more the Lord Of The Rings series because; Tolkien made a big impression I think, on the characters... the place, the imagination he had didn't have any limits. The actors in the movie were very credible and I found myself in that time in the movie... it was like watching it all happen.

Tolkien expressed himself in a very different way from the usual Fantasy stories. He added some humanity into it all; not to mention that the places and everything were very well described. The Lord Of The Rings series however, were written ( some parts) in old English and they are books which are very long. Some people find them actually boring. I'm bothered about that. They haven't even read the books! The difference this type of fantasy has with Harry Potter too; is that the series are more likely to be for a teen and adults than kids. They wouldn't understand it as we do.

Harry Potter is fun; it has an intriguing story each time and it's for all type of ages. I also like the books very much... the adventures are very unique and funny sometimes. I love both series and would treat them as equal if it weren't for what Tolkien made me feel. However, my opinion won't agree with everyone out there. I think; that there are more Harry Potter fans out there than The Lord Of The Rings simply because Harry Potter is more fun and more likely to be liked by children. Tolkien has some depth in the three books that gets to me in a very special way... which I think; not all would understand.

I'm pissed off; however, that the people refer " the Bible is as credible as The Lord Of The Rings". Tolkien may have a very weird or unique imagination... but I find them credible in the way the characters go through the three books and they show the emotions. Example: if anyone saw the Fellowship Of The Ring; the way that Frodo and everyone shows their grief after Gandalf " supposedly" dies is something that touches me.

It's not as fun; however, as Harry Potter. It does have a curious way to catch the public's eyes too. Let's not mention that it was written almost fifty years ago! J.K Rowling; is indeed a very famous and excellent writer. I feel, however, that sometimes people judge Tolkien without even reading his work or seeing what he has done to some people.

He in a way, inspires them to believe that they can do anything. The adventure is as fun, mysterious and interesting as Harry Potter's. Everyone, of course, thinks different. Most people love Harry Potter; and the fact that the movies were out at the same time was a shock. Of course, Harry Potter was always first in the " Most watched film". The Lord Of The Rings was second place.

The good thing about them both; is that they woken up interest in children ( even adults) to read. Reading is the most natural and beautiful thing I've discovered. I think my favourite authors, with those fantastic books; inspired me to read further and deeper, and I have to thank them for that. There's a lot of fight between both series... I've felt that. I hope the people who have misjudged Harry Potter or The Lord Of The Rings; will see that they aren't as they think they are. I've noticed that Harry Potter isn't hated by anyone I know... if you haven't seen or read the books then you are considered ignorant in my class. However, not half of my class has seen The Lord Of The Rings and its natural for them.

So... who wins? It's up to you. The competition and opinions are different to anyone; even those who hate both series ( which I haven't met anyone like that yet, gladly). I wanted to express my points of views on both series and how fantastic they are in every way.