Harry Potter and the

Sorcerer’s Stone

&ArchetypesBy: Denise Hunter

Student Assignment

Harry Potter: a hero’s journeyBackground…Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. (Harry Potter, 2010)

Harry Potter: a hero’s journey

Background continued…The main plot concerns Harry's quandary against the evil wizard, Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents in his quest to conquer the wizarding world and oppress non-magical people. (Harry Potter, 2010)

The Hero

Archetype characteristics•Unusual circumstances of birth; sometimes in danger•Leaves family or land and lives with others•An event, sometimes traumatic, leads to adventure or quest•Hero has a special weapon only he can wield•Hero always has supernatural help•Hero must prove himself many times while on an adventure• The Journey and Unhealable Wound

The Hero: Harry Potter

• What kind of hero is Harry Potter according to Carol Pearson, PhD?– The Warrior – Gift/Virtue: Courage, discipline

• Examples: flying, explores threats, fights a troll, defeating Professor Quirrell

• Video: Harry, the young protagonist

The Wise Old Man

Archetype characteristics•Usually a profound philosopher•Distinguished for wisdom and sound judgment•Characters usually have beards•Kind and wise•Offers guidance that in a mystical way may impress upon someone a sense of who they are, thereby acting as a mentor•May appear as an absent-minded professor

The Wise Old Man: Albus Dumbledore

• Widely known as being wise, yet odd. – Chocolate frog card describes him as being “the

greatest wizard of modern times” and indicates that he “enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.” (Rowling, 1997)

• Does not fear death, and claims that choosing money and life are precisely the things that are worse for humans (Rowling, 1997).

• Cautions Harry to always use the proper name for Lord Voldemort, as “fear of a name increases fear of a thing itself” (Rowling, 1997).

• Video: Dumbledore provides answers

The Devil

Archetype characteristics•Forces within and outside of us of war against the power of positive life and change•Enormous resistance to the very experiences or insights that would lead to healing•Struggle with and fear of ones own natural drives

The Devil: Lord Voldemort

• Main antagonist and archenemy of Harry Potter

• He is so feared that no one dares to say his name, known as “He Who Must Not Be Named” (Rowling, 1997)

• Killed Harry’s parents, and many other wizards and muggles (non-magical people)

• Video: Voldemort’s purpose is to murder

The Best Friend

Archetype characteristics•Driven by loyalty and a need for harmony•Can always be counted on•Usually provides comic relief•Ready to lend a hand, yet may fail to realize that he or she needs to take the lead•Stable, supportive, tolerant•Chief flaw: being too compliant or unassertive

The Best Friend: Ron Weasley

• Harry’s first friend when they meet on the Hogwarts Express (Rowling, 1997)

• Ron is selected to be a Gryffindor (like Harry) because they are both brave at heart, with daring, nerve and loyalty (Rowling, 1997)

• Ron agrees to be Harry’s “second” when Draco Malfoy challenges Harry to a wizard’s duel (Rowling, 1997)

• Ron joins Harry on the attack against a troll• Video:

Ron sacrifices himself so Harry can move on to save the Sorcerer’s Stone

ResourcesCrisp, T. (2002). Dream Dictionary. Retrieved April 9, 2010 from http://www.dreamhawk.com/archetype4.htm

Davis, B. M. (1997). The Archetypal Hero in Literature, Religion, Movies, and Popular Culture. Retrieved March 20, 2010 from http://www.tatsbox.com/hero

Directory Journal. (2008, November 28). Ten of the Most Controversial Books. Retrieved April 9, 2010 from http://www.dirjournal.com/info/ten-of-the-most-controversial-books/

Evans, A. (2003). Discovering the Archetypes of “Harry Potter.” Opinion Papers, 120, 2-27.

Harry Potter. (2010). Retrieved April 9, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter

Rowling, J.K. (2001). J.K. Rowling Official Site. Retrieved April 9, 2010 from http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/

Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. New York: Scholastic Press.