Harry Potter and Religion

RELI 2850

Discussion

1.Harry Potter and the Witch Hunters

2.Between Satan and Harry Potter

Folk Tale Elements in Harry Potter

•Folk Groups

•Rites of Passage

•Food

•Reversals to Reinforce Social Norms

Vladimir Propp and Harry Potter

•Propp outlines 31 Story Functions/Actions in Russian Magical Tales

•Seven Principle Players

1. Villain

2. Donor

3. Helper

4. Girl

5. Dispatcher

6. Hero

7. False Hero

Harry Potter as Archetypal Hero

1. The boy is the son of royal or even immortal parents

2. Difficulties precede the conception, and in some cases the mother is a virgin

3. The child’s life is threatened when dream or oracle warns the father or another royal personage that the boy will be in danger

4. The boy is separated from his parents

5. The boy is exposed, often in a basket or other receptacle

6. The boy is put into water, either to kill or save him

7. The child is rescued by animals or underlings, often shepherds

8. The baby is suckled or reared by animals or lowly persons

9. The hero is eventually recognized as such, often because of a mark or wound

10.The hero is reconciled with his father (or his representative), or he exacts revenge upon his father

Basic Story Structure

Godric Gryffindor

Albus Dumbledore

James and Lily Potter

Harry Potter

Versus

Draco Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy

Lord Voldemort

Salazar Slytherin

Symbolism

•Unicorn

•Phoenix

•Philosopher’s Stone

Names

Albus Dumbledore: white, glorious, resplendent

Voldemort: flight from death

Malfoy: bad faith (Lucius/Lucifer and Draco/Dragon or Serpent)

Potter: Metaphor for God

Trinity

Ron Weasley: Body

Hermione Granger: Mind

Harry Potter: Spirit

Christian Themes

•Paul’s explanation of the Keryigma

•HarrySuffersSymbolically DiesSymbolically Resurrected

•Sacrificial Love Central Theme

•Everlasting Life