Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Harry Potter and mixed worlds

Unless you live under a rock in the middle of the Kalahari (in which case you aren't gonna be reading this post) you will have heard about the last Harry Potter book ad nausea. Before you stop reading, I am not going to spoil it for you. This is no about the book.
I've had a thought percolating in my head for a few books now.
There are a lot of similarities between the magical world of Harry Potter and the George Lucas galaxy of Jedi. Don't laugh, think about it. Special people in both worlds are gifted with abilities that have to be mastered. Amongst both wizards and Jedi, there is the danger of dark magic, either in the form of the dark arts, or the dark side. Also, in each series, there is one "Chosen One" that will restore things to their natural order.
Let's carry this thought further. Both Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker have mentors who die, leaving them to carry on alone, to complete tasks that they do not fully understand. Only by defeating the dark versions of themselves can they ever completely come into their own. Harry must either destroy Voldermort or die, and Luke must face his twisted father and come through the darkness within himself. If either character fails, the fate of worlds lies in the balance.
Which brings us to the question that has occupied my mind since Harry started learning about his abilities. What would happen if a Jedi Knight were faced with a dark wizard of Harry Potter's world? Given the difference in their abilities, who would come out the victor in such a conflict? After all, a Jedi has no need of a wand. He doesn't have to speak incantations to have his affect. On the other hand, a wizard can appirate or disappirate, disappearing at his or her convenience. A Jedi's power comes from the life around him, and he knows the source and strength of his abilities. A wizard actually seems to draw most of his power from his wand. If you take that away, he is less than a wizard.
I think, when it comes down to it, there could only be one winner. The victor is the one who can draw the most power to bear for the right cause. In any fictional world, darkness can never be the victor, because it TAKES it's power from others, while light gives power as well using it.

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