After seeing Harry Potter I couldn't help but notice some similarities between Harry and Luke...now maybe because old-fashioned good vs. evil stories are all the same, but...

- Harry and Luke are both orphans
- Harry and Luke are brought up by their uncle/aunt (though treatments differ...)
- Harry and Luke are both strong in their Magic/Force
- Harry and Luke have sidekicks that are funny and talented
- Harry and Luke are surrounded by people with English accents and sound classy
- Harry and Luke both have to face evil/the darkside
- Harry and Luke both have people helping them behind the scenes
- Harry and Luke are both destined for greatness
- Harry and Luke are both great pilots of the broom/X-wing

 

Interesting comparison

 

I got dizzy after reading Harry and Luke so many times

 

Back in college, I took a fastasy literature class (needed some free electives ). During the class, we discussed common archetypes of western literature that appear to some form in most of our literature. They included:

- the unknown hero w/unknown lineage
- the wise old person who teaches and then steps aside to let the hero take his place
- the quest/coming of age
- the evil stepmother/father
- the sidekick/assistant, usually a rogue w/ a heart of gold
- classic battle of good vs evil (no grey areas)
- mystical powers

There were others too - about 12 total. They have been handed down in story form for generations. Look at our fairy tales and what we find enjoyable fiction.

Star Wars and Harry Potter pretty much hit on all of the archtypes. Another good example is Paul Atriedes in Dune who hits on all the archetypes. Many of Stephen Kings stories (eg The Talisman) touch on some or all of the archetypes. Most fantasy literature hits most of them as well - Lord of the Rings and all its derivatives.

These types of stories touch us in a simple, fulfilling way that more complex stories have difficulty reaching.

 

ROFLOL