Jane Austen's influence on JKR's work |
 Jan 1 2009, 04:46 PM
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One Half of the DDD  Posts: 8,481 Joined: 5:31pm August 30, 2006 Location: Siriusly Dreaming Somewhere   |
During January we are reading and discussing Sense and Sensibility because JKR said that Jane Austen was one of her favourite authors. What, if any, influence do you think this book had on the writing of the Harry Potter series with regard to its plot, its characters, its themes or in any other way?
--------------------  November's book is The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" |
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Jan 3 2009, 05:55 PM
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Waiting for Wednesdays  Posts: 9,150 Joined: 7:57am January 28, 2005 Location: Hiding from Hurricanes  |
QUOTE(Dreamteam @ Jan 1 2009, 03:46 PM)  During January we are reading and discussing Sense and Sensibility because JKR said that Jane Austen was one of her favourite authors. What, if any, influence do you think this book had on the writing of the Harry Potter series with regard to its plot, its characters, its themes or in any other way? Interesting question because I do think writers often draw on characters or themes they find interesting in other novels. Of course Austen looked at aristocratic real life and painted it in a way that made it believable. It's one of her strongest skills as a writer. If you look at Hogwarts as this fictional school of wizards, the day to day life still exists. The stories are both well planned, with the reader feeling a sense of "knowing" the characters. While there are other many other ways to compare their works, the first thing that comes to mind is the realism of the characters and the day to day happenings in the story. -------------------- |
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Jan 3 2009, 06:12 PM
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Sundae-Nut-Chopper at Florean Fortescue's  Posts: 921 Joined: 10:41pm March 2, 2007 Location: Entering the Ministry of Magic |
I agree about the day to day aspects. Austen is famous for her subtle depiction of social relations in the era and there is also an strong element of social interaction that Rowling writes into the HP series. Also, the aspect of social stratification is very noticeable in Austen's work. There is almost a feminist quality about her depiction of the roles women were forced into inhabiting. Rowling uses Hermione in particular to challenge the somewhat archaic stuffiness and sexism of rules at Hogwarts and she has some elements of stubbornness and intellectual independence that many of Austen's heroines have. Austen's protagonists are mostly rather rebellious and strong willed. Many of Rowling's are as well.
This post has been edited by chloe squibbulus: Jan 3 2009, 06:12 PM -------------------- "I would like to say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! And now before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Everyone pick their favorite tune...and off we go!" Dumbledore; Sorcerer's Stone. |
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Jan 3 2009, 09:39 PM
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Waiting for Wednesdays Posts: 9,150 Joined: 7:57am January 28, 2005 Location: Hiding from Hurricanes |
QUOTE(chloe squibbulus @ Jan 3 2009, 05:12 PM) I agree about the day to day aspects. Austen is famous for her subtle depiction of social relations in the era and there is also an strong element of social interaction that Rowling writes into the HP series. Also, the aspect of social stratification is very noticeable in Austen's work. There is almost a feminist quality about her depiction of the roles women were forced into inhabiting. Rowling uses Hermione in particular to challenge the somewhat archaic stuffiness and sexism of rules at Hogwarts and she has some elements of stubbornness and intellectual independence that many of Austen's heroines have. Austen's protagonists are mostly rather rebellious and strong willed. Many of Rowling's are as well. I see a good deal of in dpeth characterization from both writers. I love such "fleshy" characters, there is so much to look at. Both books also look at social topics such as racism and bigotry. I think Austen did a brilliant job, in her time period, to help inspire the feminist movement. Her real-to-life characters had real life problems that allowed us all to experience the social unfairness of that "sensible" time period. Fast forward to Rowling's work and we see pure-bloodism mimicking racism and social injustices today. If you want to see the result of Austen's feminism inspiration one just has to look at Hermione and Ginny. The pretty girl can now be smart, awkward and a little bossy but still get the guy. We've come a long way baby! -------------------- |
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Jan 6 2009, 02:05 PM
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Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 22 Joined: 7:01am December 12, 2007 Location: The Forest of Dean, searching for Nargles and a Silver Doe |
Another similarity between Austen and Rowling (my two FAVOURTIE authors!) is that both were discounted as great literary works: Austen's books were always considered girly, and about dress and parties not the amazing depicting of life for women who were forced to wait and watch, the politics that are woven into everything, which is just like Rowlings: politics and society, but was intially seen as "just children's stories". But in the end - now everyone knows how BRILLIANT they both are!
-------------------- Harry - "No," said Harry firmly, "you and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished."
Ron - "We'll just have to wing it, mate." Hermione - "You know, I think I will take Hogwarts: A History. Even if we're not going back there, I don't think I'd feel right if I didn't have it" |
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Jan 6 2009, 09:06 PM
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Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 5 Joined: 7:31pm January 5, 2009 |
Another similarity is the idea of love and getting happily married at the end. In terms of relationships, the obstacles Ron and Hermione have to endure (Lavender, Cormac, Viktor) only make them love each other/see each other in a different way more than before. In Austen's works, the women in particular have obstacles that prevent them from ending happily with their heroes. It is not the prettiest, wealthiest, most well-connected girls who get the hero; in both works, the girls are average but have very strong personalities and moral character.
Also, I found it hilarious when I read Mansfield Park that there exists a Mrs. Norris so similar to the cat in Harry Potter.  Both Rowling and Austen are incredibly witty writers. Their work is certainly humorous. If anyone read Northanger Abbey, the beginning is very similar to Rowling's descriptions of the Dursleys in SS/PS. Also, the narration of the novels with there being the omniprescent narrator/third person pov and at the same time, seeing the story through the herione and Harry's eyes. |
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Jan 6 2009, 09:44 PM
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Visual Aids of Swoonworthiness Person  Posts: 2,738 Joined: 8:49pm December 9, 2006 Location: Lost in a Good Book somewhere in Minneapolis |
QUOTE(ladyluna @ Jan 6 2009, 08:06 PM) Also, I found it hilarious when I read Mansfield Park that there exists a Mrs. Norris so similar to the cat in Harry Potter. This is no coincidence ladyluna. Filch's cat is named after the Austen Character. JK said in an interview about how she chooses names (1999) : " ...Mrs Norris, people will have recognised, comes from Jane Austen..." -------------------- |
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Jan 6 2009, 10:52 PM
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Cauldron Bottom Measurer Posts: 108 Joined: 4:41pm July 26, 2008 Location: Walking down Diagon Alley with Ginny and Hermione |
QUOTE(MysteryloverAnne @ Jan 6 2009, 09:44 PM) QUOTE(ladyluna @ Jan 6 2009, 08:06 PM) Also, I found it hilarious when I read Mansfield Park that there exists a Mrs. Norris so similar to the cat in Harry Potter. This is no coincidence ladyluna. Filch's cat is named after the Austen Character. JK said in an interview about how she chooses names (1999) : " ...Mrs Norris, people will have recognised, comes from Jane Austen..." First off that is absolutely the funniest thing i have ever heard.  second, now that this is being discussed i can see a lot of similarities. the main characters have conflicts that the must over come. the main characters always seem to get what they want in the end. the main characters have certain things that make you hate them and certain things that make you love them. for example: you love harry because he is loyal, brave, and smart. you can hate harry because he has issues with asking his closest friends for help when he knows he needs it. i have always viewed Harry as somewhat pigheaded and its irksome to me  . in austen's work...the heroine doesn't usually come from the best background, as with harry, but in the end they get what they want which is usually the guy they wanted and in harry's case Ginny and defeating Lord Voldemort. do you guys agree with my views?
-------------------- I got my cute avatar from the Leaky Galleries!
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Jan 11 2009, 01:26 PM
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Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 211 Joined: 1:23pm August 16, 2005 Location: Helping Molly in the kitchen of course! |
QUOTE(MysteryloverAnne @ Jan 6 2009, 09:44 PM) QUOTE(ladyluna @ Jan 6 2009, 08:06 PM) Also, I found it hilarious when I read Mansfield Park that there exists a Mrs. Norris so similar to the cat in Harry Potter. This is no coincidence ladyluna. Filch's cat is named after the Austen Character. JK said in an interview about how she chooses names (1999) : " ...Mrs Norris, people will have recognised, comes from Jane Austen..." I also saw the name Dawlish in S&S! It made me laugh because of all the podcasts where John loves the Dawlish character in HP. I like how with both authors, the plot line builds with lots of good information in between. -------------------- "Promise me you'll look after yourself...Stay out of trouble..."
"I always do, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry. "I like a quiet life, you know me." |
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