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The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General ObservationsSaturday Smackdown: Gandalf versus Dumbledore
Heather Long
December 19, 2009
Ah the beauty of the holiday season! We kick off our last week in a countdown
towards Christmas with last minute shopping, sending holiday cards and sadly, a
head cold for the midget. Today's smackdown is a look at the great wizards of
two fabulous series. Both wizards inspire, guide and are tremendously powerful
in their own right. I can hardly choose between them and cannot compare them as
which is more powerful or which is more inspirational. Therefore, I ask only
that you choose which one is your favorite. I know which one is mine. Gandalf the Grey (later the White) Gandalf is a fictional character with major roles in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels
THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head (after Saruman's betrayal
and fall) of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship
of the Ring and the army of the West. In THE LORD OF THE RINGS, he is
initially known as Gandalf the Grey, but after assuming leadership of the
Istari, he becomes known as Gandalf the White. Albus Dumbledore  Albus
Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a fictional character within the Harry Potter novels written
by J. K. Rowling. For
the majority of the series, he is the headmaster of the Wizarding School
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As part of his back-story, it is
revealed that he is the founder and leader of the "Order of the Phoenix", an
organization dedicated to fighting the main antagonist of the series, Lord
Voldemort.
Great Deeds Among Gandalf's great deeds is guiding the Fellowship, saving Faramir, defeating
the Balrog and hiding his possession of the third Elven ring of power for
centuries. As a guide to young Frodo and the other Hobbits, he inspired
greatness. He chose to leave Middle Earth with the other ring bearers including
Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond and Galadriel. Dumbledore, like Gandalf, inspired greatness in his students and acted as secret
keeper for the Order of the Phoenix. His deeds are many, including defeating one
of the most powerful wizards. Dumbledore was far more passive, choosing peaceful
methods and reason above outright shows of power. He served as a foil for
Voldemort for decades, fending the dark wizard off until Harry was old enough to
face him directly. Dumbledore's death was by his own choice, a necessary sacrifice. Neither wizard sought greatness, yet they both served to inspire the heroes of
their novels and left a legacy of wisdom, spirit and determination. Which of these two is your favorite? Which of their actions had the greatest
impact? What do you remember most about them? I have no prize to offer this week
and only invite you to play for fun. Fairy Tale Smackdown Cinderella stole this prize easily with the majority of readers supporting the
rags to riches tale and the triumph of a kind heart. In particular, most favor
the modern retelling of the tale in the Drew Barrymore film: Ever
After .
A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book
Remembering Ashby is
available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban
fantasy: Prime Evil. The Daily
Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather
enjoys.
Comments
15 comments posted.
Re: Saturday Smackdown: Gandalf versus Dumbledore
I know that you don't want fence sitters. But, I think both of them did what was necessary for the time and place. I couldn't pick one over the other and I don't know that either of them would have been any good at all in the other's situation.
(Karin Tillotson 3:34pm December 19, 2009)
I think it's a tie, but I know Dumbledore better from the Harry Potter series and movies.
(Alyson Widen 4:06pm December 19, 2009)
Seeing that I don't know Dumbledore at all (I must be one of the few people who have not read the Harry Potter books) and I know Gandalf only through the movies (books: same as HP), I can only go with Gandalf while admitting that I'm neither impartial nor totally informed.
(Sigrun Schulz 4:49pm December 19, 2009)
Gandalf obviously. A wizard powerful enough & dark enough to combat the forces of Sauron & Mordor.
(Mary Preston 5:05pm December 19, 2009)
Dumbledore for sure!! Happy Holidays!
(JoAnn White 5:49pm December 19, 2009)
I'm with Karin. Both of them for sure. They both saved the world in their own way, so how can we, those who it was saved for, choose between them?
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 6:19pm December 19, 2009)
Gandalf would most certainly save the day. I loved the Lord of the Rings book series and movies. I am also a fan of Harry Potter's but Dumbdore would not be able to turn out the magic like Gandalf.
(Gigi Hicks 8:04pm December 19, 2009)
Gandalf would win. He's defeated more formidable bad guys than Dumbledore has. But Merlin would trounce both of 'em!
(Mary Anne Landers 8:11pm December 19, 2009)
I, too, am unfamiliar with the details of either Gandolf or Dumbledore, so I will vote for the only wizard of my childhood and say Merlin.
(Susan Driskill 8:23pm December 19, 2009)
Gosh, do I have to choose? They both have great qualities!
(Lisa Glidewell 12:00pm December 20, 2009)
Gandalf will aleways be favorite as I read The Lord Of The Rings when I was in high school
(Patricia Kasner 6:04pm December 21, 2009)
Gotta go with Gandalf. Any friend of Aragorn deserves my support!
(G S Moch 1:50am December 22, 2009)
Dumbledore Pros:
Overall awesomeness
Pet Phoenix
Most excellent long name and titles.
"Few words" to him isn't a euphamism, really random words in random order.
Excellent interspecies diplomat.
Is 150+ years when he dies.
Dumbledore Cons:
He dies.
Aberforth (his brother) works "illegal charms on goats", and he seems okay with that.
Has bad Bertie Botts jelly bean luck (boogers and earwax!)
Gandalf Pros:
He hangs with the halflings.
Also hangs with hilarious dwarves, hot humans, and at least one smoking hot elf.
Excellent interspecies diplomat.
Cheats death.
Excellent party guest.
Changes colors.
Cons:
His powers are tied to only fire.
He's bad luck--whenever he visits, badness follows.
(Joelle Wallace 11:03pm December 23, 2009)
Arggg, my last line got eaten by cyberghosts (again).
My vote is for Dumbledore.
(Joelle Wallace 11:04pm December 23, 2009)
Gandalf would win in my book. Just a much stronger force than Dumbledore. I loved them both, though, and they both did what they had to do to defeat the odds.
(Joanne Reynolds 4:00pm December 24, 2009)
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