Parallels Between Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, and Other Fantasy Works by Vaine.Vade     The setting in fantasy and science fiction novels is what draws us to them. Without an original setting, there would be no escape from real life, and many people would not read these novels. In Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, much of his ideas are ideas found in other works that he has rewoven into new wording. However, the way Jordan weaves these ideas together produces a masterpiece.     The main plot of the novel involves a youth named Rand al'Thor, who eventually finds out, through a test of fate, that he is the Dragon Reborn - a "Chosen One" of sorts. This "chosen one" character is also found in The Matrix, in the form of Neo, and in Star Wars, as the character of Luke Skywalker. The ideas of fate, and destiny run strong in many fantasy and science fiction novels, including Dune, in the character of Paul Atreides.     Much of the naming in Jordan's series is parallel as well, as the Mountains of D'hoom parallel Mount Doom in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Aes Sedai, the female "wizards", in Jordan's world, resemble the Bene Gesserit of Dune. The basic conflict in The Eye of the World centers around a conflict between Good and Evil. The Evil One in the novel, also known as the Dark One, is named Shai'tan, which sounds very similar to Satan. This naming scheme, though not exactly original, helps the reader associate the item in the novel with the real-life equivalent.     The many societies found in the series also resemble societies found in other novels. Aes Sedai, as mentioned before, meddle in politics, as the Bene Gersserit do between planets in Dune. The Aiel in the series, fierce warriors from the desert, resemble the Fremen, while the Seanchan in the series resemble the Sardukar of the Emperor in Dune.     Channeling, The Wheel of Time's version of magic, is divided into male and female halves, in the same way that the mind reading differs between men and women in Dune. The difference between Saidin and Saidar, their names in the series, is similar to the difference between light and dark force in Star Wars. When the Dragon Reborn goes into the Aiel Waste, emerging a leader, it is similar to Paul going into the desert and emerging as leader of the Fremen in Dune.     Throughout the novel, it is evident that Rand will shatter the "Wheel of Time", and bring about change. Much of the setting in the Wheel of Time series can be found in another book, under a different name. However, although the pieces of the puzzle look akin to pieces of other puzzles, the completed puzzle is different from every other puzzle. Although the pieces of his work may not be completely unique, the way Jordan pieces them together is ingenious.