Comments on: Harry Potter is just a Buffy Redux

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:35:47 +0000

Good article. I don’t agree 100%, but you make some good points. I doubt, though that either Joss Whedon or JKR copied each other’s ideas. You seem to acknowledge that, but the title of the article implies that you think HP is a “redux” of BtVS. Both Joss Whedon and JKR lost their mothers. Both Harry and Buffy experience a number of tragic losses throughout the stories. Harry loses his parents, Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin, Tonks, Fred, Dobby, ect. Buffy loses her mother, Angel (even though he comes back from hell), Anya, Tara, and SEASON 8 SPOILER ALERT!!! Gile (not to mention Angel losing Doyle, Cordelia, Fred, Wesley, ect).
Cordelia certainly was the rich, snobby antagonist like Malfoy at first (both offered then withdrew the offer of friendship when Harry and Buffy befriended so-called outcasts). The major difference was that Cordelia was very brave and became heroic and chose to fight with Buffy (and later Angel) as soon as she faced the reality that there were evil forces. Draco tried to get back on Voldemort’s good side right up until the very end. He eventually joined the side of good when it was clear that was the winning side. He wanted to protect his family, but never really did anything heroic.
As far as Lupin and Oz, well I’d hardly call them boring or rebellious. They are both very easy going. Oz leaves Willow when he feels he is a danger to her and Lupin almost does the same to Tonks. They both have friends lock them up during the full moon. Oz is more laid back than rebellious. Lupin only really rebels against the Ministry of Magic.
Snyder is more like Umbridge than Snape. Snape actively fought on Harry and Dumbledore’s side several times. The most heroic think we can say about Snyder is that he wasn’t fully aware of the Mayor’s intentions. He was a stooge for the Mayor like Umbridge was a stooge for the MoM. She constantly tried to get Harry expelled because he was getting in the way of the MoM. It’s unclear if Snyder targeted Buffy so much because she was a threat to the Mayor.
I know that Joss is a huge HP fan, and I’m curious how JKR feels about Buffy.

By: Spencer Allen

Spencer Allen — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:23:23 +0000

Ok… I’m outing myself as a Buffy fan in saying this, but in addition to the observations made above, I would have to say the Snyder Snape connection is pretty full of holes.

Snyder is ineffectual and transparent. Plus, he dies halfway through the series.
Snape remains throughout the story to be ambiguous and multi-dimensional. He is a vehicle for many plot twists. He persists throughout the series and plays a vital role in many developments.

Also- Cordelia is annoying socially, but not an enemy. Malfoy is actually scheming and conspiring against Potter. Plus Cordelia ends up on the side of good as soon as the Angel series begins.

Further, I agree with Melissa wholeheartedly. Joyce just sucks.

Nonetheless, I think it’s a great parallel. Everything else you’ve mentioned is pretty astute.

By: Scobes

Scobes — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:52:13 +0000

You’re comparisons of Oz and Lupin are completely off – since when was Lupin ever an authority-hating rebel??

By: melissa

melissa — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:24:45 +0000

I agree with EVERYTHING and love the comparison except for the moms, I can't think of one time when Joyce worked for Buffy or the forces of good, I mean for goodness sakes, she finds out her daughter is the chosen one standing between the world and evil and she kicks her out of the house!

I really detested Joyce...