Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins appear in stories nearly 100 years apart but have served readers as faithful and interesting heroes. JRR Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings with a featured character, the hobbit named Frodo Baggins. JK Rowling also created an imaginary world in which her protagonist, also a young male, learns magic and friendship at his school of wizardry. Despite the century of distance and obvious distinctions between these literary characters, Harry and Frodo hold many similarities. I will compare and contrast the two through three perspectives: the source of their tasks; their guides; and their maturity.
First, let’s examine the source of the characters’ tasks. Frodo lives as an adopted son to his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. The story of Lord of the Rings recounts how Frodo and his company of friends must destroy an ancient ring, a task that requires adventures, set-backs, fights, and surprising sources of help. The task of destroying the ring, however, comes upon Frodo by a wizard named Gandalf. Because Frodo inherits the ring from his uncle, Gandalf discovers the identity of the ring, its secret power and evil influence, and decides that someone must take the ring and destroy it. A council meets to decide who will carry the ring, and amidst disagreements, Frodo stands and states with simple clarity, “I will go; I will take the ring. Though I do not know the way,” claiming responsibility yet need for fulfilling the task that constitutes the plot of the story.
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"Compare and Contrast: Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins".
Harry Potter was born to two famous wizards, and attends his wizard school in the shadow of his family. The story centers on Harry’s fated conflict with an evil wizard named Voldemort. But in contrast to Frodo, Harry does not choose his task of confronting and defeating Voldemort. Rather, Harry’s task is set upon him by virtue of his heritage. His parents had previously battled the villain and now Harry must finish the conflict by ridding the wizard-world of its dark leader. Thus, Frodo’s circumstance seconds his choice in fulfilling his task, while Harry inherits more than he chooses his objective.
Second, both characters move through their stories with guides. That is, someone helps them through difficulties, provides wisdom, and even makes sacrifices for each of the young men. While multiple characters offer such benefits, both stories reveal a single character as primary helper. Frodo finds help from the wise, old wizard named Gandalf. Harry, likewise, receives aid from an elder, wizard-teacher at his school, a man named Dumbledore. Thus, both Harry and Frodo have a primary guide, and their guides appear quite similar. While they do differ, my purpose here is to note their comparison.
Third, and finally, since both characters are young at the outset of their stories, a main feature of both tales includes the development of Harry and Frodo. These developments, however, differ in scope and content. For example, Frodo fulfills his task over the course of three years, and he matures primarily through developing deeper friendships, growing in his resilience, and ultimately cementing his love for his home, The Shire. So, in the book we see Frodo and his best friend, Sam, jovially beginning their journey together. Yet one of the final scenes depicts Sam and Frodo dead tired, climbing the side of a mountain to destroy the ring, and, resorting to their life-long friendship, Sam cries, “I’ll carry you!” and heaves Frodo to the summit so that they can accomplish their task.
On the other hand, Harry’s story depicts the growth of a baby to a teenager. Thus, the scope of his growth exceeds Frodo’s. In the same way, we see him develop character traits but also skills in wizardry and various contemporary struggles that face adolescents. For example, Harry confronts romantic feelings for Hermione throughout the books. At one point, it actually compromises their friendship, as Hermione challenges young Potter. Though I do not have a direct quote on hand, a paraphrase will serve for my purpose. She says to Harry, “So are you my friend or not? I can’t tell what’s going on with you Harry Potter. Do you like me or hate me?” Furthermore, Harry does not long to return to his home; his home, unlike Frodo’s, constitutes a oppression. Thus, Rowling depicts Harry developing through more physiological and age-related issues. In contrast, Tolkien features Frodo’s growth in emotional maturity, resilience, and sociological issues.
In conclusion, both fantasy heroes compare and contrast, yet transfix audiences in virtue of their similarities and differences. The three perspectives of task-source, guide, and maturity, reveal unique features of the characters and underscore their commonalities. This study is only nascent and many more examples could be adduced. However, we have considered a brief but accurate portrayal of the old and new world of literary fiction.
