Harry Potter and the wizard’s allegory
Son,
Inspired words. Words written with inspiration – not the words of man alone – but inspired by something greater. Where have we heard that before? The transformation of a human into something greater – some force for good – a force that can conquer a marauding giant with a mere flat rock hurled from a leather slingshot. The power of evil conquered by the humbleness of love.
It is the allegory of the wizard – the alchemist – changing lead into gold; something dense and dull into something bright and malleable and desirable. That is Harry Potter – as defined in the inspired words of J. K. Rowling.
The allegory of the wizard is ancient. The idea has transcended generations – delighting children and enthralling scholars. I have just finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; I am both delighted and enthralled. This is Rowling’s most powerful work. Her mastery of mythology is absorbed by her understanding of mankind and of faith.
The Harry Potter stories are stories of faith, hope, charity, and love. Rowling’s personification of evil in the form of Voldemort demonstrates a classical intellectual understanding. Her ability to weave a story of the innocent child becoming a man, by faith alone, is remarkable.
The allegory of the wizard lives on and again proves the power of imagery in the hands of a true master. We talk of Jesus. A wizard of sorts – well, he did some magic. We talk of the wizardry of Jesus and we have faith and hope. Do I go to far with this equation? I think Jesus is smiling right now at the correlation, chuckling at the occasional insight of humanity.
Thank you Ms. Rowling. Thank you for having faith. Thank you for not giving up in those many years before the first book was published.
I would call J. K. Rowling, if I may be so bold, a witch. She is a witch is the truest understanding of of the fans of Harry Potter. Ms. Rowling has the courage of Hermione.
Dad
Comment by Dawn on 30 September 2007:
I absolutely love the story of Harry Potter. I think there are many lessons one can learn throughout the entire series.
My favorite quote, because it applies to how my life is changing, is from Book 2, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”. I did not really like that book at first; it was simply a story. But reading it the second time, I found this quote: “Exactly,” said Dumbledore, beaming once more. “Which makes you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
Because I have read the entire series, I have confidence that this was one of the main themes. It applies to practically every character: Harry, Snape, even Dumbledore.
I am on a journey in life to make intentional choices about who I am and who I will be. It is not easy, but I hope my choices will show what I truly am. I also hope my abilities will aid in those choices.
Comment by Roger M Robillard on 30 September 2007:
Thank you for seeing some of the same things I have seen in this series. I am an Episcopal priest and am currently teaching a curse on the Theology of Harry Potter.
How interesting that the nemesis in this series is call Voldemort, french for thief of death. Is that not his true nature and threat.
Other similarities have slso been noted. Dumbledore, is he not the visiual refernce for God the father as seen in early SUnday School books, old, wise and white bearded.
How interesting that the series ends after 7 books.