When discussing Revelation, Keefer discusses how it is similar to the modern fantasy epics that surround today's culture. These include Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. The storyline of these modern fantasies are all fairly similar - a seemingly insignificant person must stand for good and defeat some type of extreme evil.
Although Keefer's discussion of how Revelation relates to these stories is interesting, I was drawn to the idea of the archetype of these fantasy stories, especially of the "insignificant hero".
What I find so interesting is that essentially, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Harry Potter are all the same story. What is it about these stories - that all use archetypal characters and plots that everyone is used to - that draw in an audience? How can we be constantly attracted and entertained by a story that we have heard a million times?
I think that perhaps, because we all feel insignificant and overwhelmed by evil, humans can identify with the archetypal "insignificant hero". And, not only do we identify with this hero, but desire to be exactly as he is. We wish that if we were asked to carry the Ring to Mordor, we would be as brave as poor little Frodo. We wish that we could be like Harry Potter, who defeats Voldemort after sacrificing his own life.
So, if Jesus is this archetypal hero in Revelation - which comes way before any of the modern fantasies Keefer and I are talking about - what does that say about modern fantasy? Are authors purposely attempting to draw correlations between Jesus and their Hero? Is this just a natural tendency for humans because we were made to love Jesus? Or, are authors just buying into the archetype because they know it appeals to us?
Audrey,
ReplyDeleteI agree. I don't really get Keefer's view because the heroes in those ancient myths were also religiously or culturally great figures, too, not just Harry Potter. I don't get his point, really.