Harry Potter v Twilight Options

[the_prisoner_of_...]

So this is the topic I was going to start a while ago but then got bombarded with work so it's finally here now.

I thought it would be interesting to have a topic where people could compare aspects of HP to Twilight. E.g.

Who would win in a fight Harry or Edward?

Which series do you like better overall and why?

Which series do you think has the most longevity?

Ok I promise I will be back with my own answers but for now I must go back to the study.

~POA

[baty4potter]

So this is the topic I was going to start a while ago but then got bombarded with work so it's finally here now.

I thought it would be interesting to have a topic where people could compare aspects of HP to Twilight. E.g.

Who would win in a fight Harry or Edward?

Which series do you like better overall and why?

Which series do you think has the most longevity?

Ok I promise I will be back with my own answers but for now I must go back to the study.

~POA

1... It depends on if it were a battle of raw power or of magical power. Raw power Edward, magical power Harry.

2... Over all *I* feel it's no contest.... Potter is better written. A lot of the attraction to Twilight has come after the movie was released, and everyone was gooing over Edward. But I will have to address this more at a later date.

3... The test of time goes to Potter.... (can you tell I'm a Potter fan?) I liked Twilight, but haven't even started on the last book. It isn't one that makes me want to be like I was with the Potter books. It wouldn't make me want to stand in line at midnight wanting to be the first to walk out of the store with. Potter, in MHOP, appeals to a larger fan base. From the young to the old, men and woman alike. Now Twilight has a big fan base, but it's quite the girly type of book, not as big a fan base, and the age group isn't as wide as Potter.

Now these comments should get some comments going.

[Malfoyx14]

I would have to say that you can not compare those to stories. They have nothing in common. They are completely different books. And I love both of them for different reasons.

But I definitely think Edward would win hands down because of his mind-reading power, in a fight.

whateve.

[the_prisoner_of_...]

I would have to say that you can not compare those to stories. They have nothing in common. They are completely different books. And I love both of them for different reasons.

That's not entirely true. They are both fantasy novels, both popular during this decade, both written by female authors, both have become extremely popular and both centre around 'teenage' main characters.

the point is they ARE compared. There are sites all over the internet which compare the two. But it is completely possible to like them both for different reasons as you have pointed out. But what reasons are these are is what is interesting here.

[crmhpfan]

Ahh, love this topic POA (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Who would win in a fight Harry or Edward?

I agree with what Baty said re raw power/magical power. However, Edward can read minds...but didn't Harry learn how to block Voldemort out with Occlumency? Perhaps he can do the same to Edward? And in that case he just has to hop on his broom and hover just out of reach of Edward and cast a spell (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Which series do you like better overall and why?

Harry Potter. (IMHO) It is better written, a better story, addresses issues and ideals, and is much more analytical. I find it a much more enjoyable read and I can pick up any of the books and open it randomly and be enthused. I even wrote my end of year English exam on POA, because there are so many underlying themes present. So yes...Harry Potter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Which series do you think has the most longevity?

Again, Harry Potter. I believe it appeals to a much broader audience, not just the (mainly) female population for Twilight. I believe it is more realistic (No, I don't mean realistic in that we fly brooms and wave our magic wands) but more realistic in the challenges met, relative themes such as fear, love, courage, doing what is right, etc etc. After I got over my Twilight phase I attempted to re-read Twilight...I failed. I got about 5 chapters into Twilight and I found myself bored. I don't think it has as much re-read value as Harry Potter does.

And I could rant a lot more right now but I'll save that for a later date (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[whitewolf]

Who would win in a fight Harry or Edward? I think they would draw. These are both good guys, who would have to be convinced the other is doing something so evil that he must be stopped. Ability wise they are equal. They are different, but equal. They also have an equally competitive spirit. A draw.

Which series do you like better overall and why? The Potter Series is more richly tapered. The Twilight Saga is more of a specific genus. For me I prefer the more elaborate tale of Harry Potter. It engages you on multi-levels by being a reality-fantasy,with elements of horror, romance and mystery. Its sutle but not obtuse, and it gives the reader a well rounded experience.

Which series do you think has the most longevity? Again I think that they will be equal but at different levels. Harry Potter has universality that Twilight lacks. Yet there is an audience for the vampire-set. I think that Meyers was attempting to main stream her characters by making them the "Clever"version of Vampires, but it still places her works into a specific catagory, like Dark Shadows was a soap opera about a vampire, but it is still different for all the other soap opera.
As for the HP Series, the only thing left is to see if JK will allow spin-offs.

[the_prisoner_of_...]

I agree with what Baty said re raw power/magical power. However, Edward can read minds...but didn't Harry learn how to block Voldemort out with Occlumency? Perhaps he can do the same to Edward? And in that case he just has to hop on his broom and hover just out of reach of Edward and cast a spell

hehe I like the way you think!! I would say it's entirely possible Harry could block out Edward (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) and Post DH he seems to have learned how to do this.

I even wrote my end of year English exam on POA, because there are so many underlying themes present.

hehe I wrote my final paper for a uni course on Umbridge's teaching methods (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) and got a HD for it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) gotta love doing papers on HP!! hehe but perhaps i'll leave that for another topic one day (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

You know I also tried to re-read the Twilight series. What I found interesting is that on almost every re-read of the HP books I find someone new, a tiny bit of forshadowing, or a link between characters, little things like that. I find that with the Twilight books that just doesn't happen.

[whitewolf]

I created an English, a science, a math and a social studies lesson plans using these books. The kids and i loved it!

Twilight is a less complicated text then Potter. After book 3 JK return to the old Engllish style of the taperstry tale, while Meyer used the pulp fiction style of the late century tales. It's a flatter work, while with the other thier are interwoven genres.

I missed you guys. Classes have had me tied up. Doing one now. Happy Day!

[Bellatrix]

I think the Harry Potter series is by far better than the twilight saga. I am judging this by the way the books were written. JK Rowlings did a fabulous job on the themes, the character development, and the plot. It was very clever and well thought out, and as a result, the books were highly entertaining and could be re-read many times. And like POA, I also find that everytime I re-read the series, I pick up something new. I think it could be an age thing as well- I don't know if its just me, but there are scenes in the book which i now find absolutely funny or scary or sad, whereas 5 years ago, these scenes didnt seem all that funny or scary or sad.
JK Rowlings had a very well planned out series. Everything fit- questions which were raised in the first book, was answered in the last book. It seemed that Meyers kind of made her book up as she went, so it lacked the cleverness and ingenuity that the Potter series had.

Which series would have more longevity?
Again, I would say the Harry Potter series. I agree with crumphfan that the HP books are targeted to a wider audience because the themes of the books are more relatable to everyday people. I mean how many of us are having to deal with the relationship issues that bella is going through?

[crmhpfan]

You know I also tried to re-read the Twilight series. What I found interesting is that on almost every re-read of the HP books I find someone new, a tiny bit of forshadowing, or a link between characters, little things like that. I find that with the Twilight books that just doesn't happen.

My brother was reading HBP and I opened it up at random to have a quick read. During the chapter 'Sectumsempra' when Harry is hiding his copy of the Prince's potion book, and is in the Room of Requirement, he comes across 'an old tiara' (that's not the exact quote) aka Ravenclaw's Diadum. Even though Harry realises this in DH, it's nice just to read it referenced in the earlier books.

It seemed that Meyers kind of made her book up as she went, so it lacked the cleverness and ingenuity that the Potter series had.

Yes! I get what you mean! The Twilight Saga sort of reads as one thing after another, not really a build up or events with themes and reasoning behind it.

[whitewolf]

Does anyone here remember Dark Shadows the afternoon soap with Barnabas Collins and Angelina? That is what Twiight reads like. She just added the werewolf lore, and some of the typical vampire
"finding a soul through love", but for me it is still a light-wieght, updated verison of DS.

Now I don't know if it was intentional or not, but what JKR created was a classic modern tale. She used and wove timeless ever-present themes and gave it a updated favor. It was fanstasy with just enough reality that it gave it relavence. The characters were complex and vivid, with clear iconic textures that made them both obtainable and idealic. The forestory was full and flowing with the backstories supporting and connective. The first three books could have stood alone, with the last four becoming the fulfillment saga, yet there was enough touchtones in each that they are seven pieces of the same whole. Both avid readers and swallow readers can get hooked. (Can you tell me I'm a bit obsessed?)

I love a good read. I love a bad read. But it takes a special writer to make me this passionate about a body of work? Langston Hughes; William Shakespeare; Alexandre Dumas; J. R. R. Tolkien; Jane Austin;
and now JK Rowlings This is my short list of constant reads. Other than the Bible I read these volumes constantly since I learn to read (I learn to read using Shakespeare and the King James Version ) , around age 7. I am 49 and counting and I still love a good read. And when I go to that great library in the sky,(Scene from Beauty and the Beast (Disney) where he gave her the library: HEAVEN!!) there will be a pile of books on by bed: Harry Potter book 1-7 will be there! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[baty4potter]

Does anyone here remember Dark Shadows the afternoon soap with Barnabas Collins and Angelina? That is what Twiight reads like. She just added the werewolf lore, and some of the typical vampire
"finding a soul through love", but for me it is still a light-wieght, updated verison of DS.

OMG, I haven't heard the name Dark Shadows in years! I thought everyone was way too young here to even know what it was. Remember when it was live and the sets were falling down? ROFL!!!

Yeah I know..... Off Topic! {{{smiling}}}

[whitewolf]

OMG, I haven't heard the name Dark Shadows in years! I thought everyone was way too young here to even know what it was. Remember when it was live and the sets were falling down? ROFL!!!

Yeah I know..... Off Topic! {{{smiling}}}

Baby I remember when it was in black and white!!! And they would pretend they could not see or notice it was happening! LOL We would watch just to make fun of the stuff like the strings and the "shadows" of the actors and the camera men they would try to ignore. (Memory bad but not totally gone!Ha Ha) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif)

[baty4potter]

Baby I remember when it was in black and white!!! And they would pretend they could not see or notice it was happening! LOL We would watch just to make fun of the stuff like the strings and the "shadows" of the actors and the camera men they would try to ignore. (Memory bad but not totally gone!Ha Ha) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif)

Oh yeah, but I remember Joan Bennett starting to crack up when the sets would fall. Was quite funny, but quite good for the time.

[whitewolf]

Good times, good times! Back on topic : the werewolves: the lore is all over the place. Is the new rule is that you make it up as you go? I mean what's the point of picking a lore path if you get to make up your own rules.

[the_prisoner_of_...]

My brother was reading HBP and I opened it up at random to have a quick read. During the chapter 'Sectumsempra' when Harry is hiding his copy of the Prince's potion book, and is in the Room of Requirement, he comes across 'an old tiara' (that's not the exact quote) aka Ravenclaw's Diadum. Even though Harry realises this in DH, it's nice just to read it referenced in the earlier books.

Hehe I loved that, because I thought it was so clever how it was just sorta casually thrown in. Kinda like the locket too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Is the new rule is that you make it up as you go? I mean what's the point of picking a lore path if you get to make up your own rules.

I could not agree more. There's embelishing on the lore and then there is just plain ignoring it. Since when did Vampires sparkle? No Edward that isn't why Vampires don't go in the sunlight, they don't go in the sunlight because they turn into tiny little piles of ashes. Being a massive fan of Buffy I really loved how Joss Whedon would reinvent the mythology of his beasties without completely disregarding traditions. As for the werewolves, I suppose they aren't actually meant to be werewolves at all so I tend to let that one slide. She based it on Native American traditions (or so I believe).

[whitewolf]

Hehe I loved that, because I thought it was so clever how it was just sorta casually thrown in. Kinda like the locket too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


I could not agree more. There's embelishing on the lore and then there is just plain ignoring it. Since when did Vampires sparkle? No Edward that isn't why Vampires don't go in the sunlight, they don't go in the sunlight because they turn into tiny little piles of ashes. Being a massive fan of Buffy I really loved how Joss Whedon would reinvent the mythology of his beasties without completely disregarding traditions. As for the werewolves, I suppose they aren't actually meant to be werewolves at all so I tend to let that one slide. She based it on Native American traditions (or so I believe).

I think the I agree that there is a bit of that, but also think there are a couple Euro-lores in there. Aren't Native American "werewolves" called wolfen?

[siriuslycrazy]

I finally read the Twilight saga after I heard a couple of friends harping on about it. It's surprisingly well written, considering the fact that I detest vampire lovey-doveys and all that sickening gaa gaa....But having said that, it just does not compare with Harry Potter. I can read, and have read Harry Potter over and over...but I can't see myself picking up Twilight anytime soon.

[baty4potter]

I finally read the Twilight saga after I heard a couple of friends harping on about it. It's surprisingly well written, considering the fact that I detest vampire lovey-doveys and all that sickening gaa gaa....But having said that, it just does not compare with Harry Potter. I can read, and have read Harry Potter over and over...but I can't see myself picking up Twilight anytime soon.

I agree. I can read Harry Potter over and over, but not Twilight. Then again there are people who say just the opposite.

[the_prisoner_of_...]

I just re-read the last two twilight books. In saying that though I hadn't read them in the 2 years since I read them the first time and simply couldn't find anything else to read (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) I definately think the last couple are easier to re-read then the first two (particuarly the first one...ok I get it he's cute enough with the description already!)