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Harry Potter-very few other names have stirred up such as diverse range of emotions from people. When you say this well-known name, you will receive one of two basic reactions. The first is something alone the lines of, “Harry Potter? I love Harry Potter! He’s so cool!” Another reaction, most common amongst Southern Baptists, is, “Harry Potter?! That is a tool used by Satan to lure naive children into the occult!” I, personally, fall into the former category quite firmly, and for the record, I have been a born-again Christian for four years at the time of this writing. In this report, I shall explore the many hidden symbolisms, parallels, and themes found within the first four novels (and a bit from the films, as well) of this acclaimed series.
Before you can fully understand the novels, you must first know about the renowned author herself-Joanne Kathleen Rowling. Rowling was born in Chipping Sodbury, England on July 31, 1965. At the tender age of five, she wrote a simple series of books starring a rabbit named, cleverly, Rabbit. Reading was always a love for her, and that carried on with her through adulthood. Although raised in a Catholic household, this didn’t stop her from living on the edge during her rebellious teen years. Rowling frequently played hooky from school, driving away in a Ford Anglia with her friend Sean P. Harris. She was also a frequent smoker, and hid her used cigarettes in the bushes. If on the occasion her parents should find one, Rowling would claim some passerby threw them there.
After graduating from Exter University, J. K. Rowling moved to Portugal in 1990to teach English. Here she met her first husband and gave birth to her daughter Jessica. Sadly, the marriage was a troubled one and ended in divorce prior to Jessica’s birth. With no husband to support her and her child, Rowling taught again, this time in England. The job, though, was not enough to support the broken family, and Rowling had to go on welfare, even skipping meals to feed her growing daughter. Then, it happened.
On a subway on afternoon, J. K. Rowling, suddenly had an idea of this tall, slender, spectacled boy with jet black hair. The writing bug had bitten her again, and she knew she had to write down all her ideas before they driveled away. Thus Harry James Potter was born. After composing all the thoughts into a fantasy novel entitled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Rowling sought to find a publisher. Press after press rejected it, until finally Bloomsbury Press purchased it for a rather low sum. While writing the novel, Rowling intended it to be the start of a series. Sure enough, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban rolled in, and all three novels became huge successes. With the fourth novel, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the buzz became hype which in turn became hysteria. The novel became the fastest selling book in history, and Rowling became a star. She continued to earn millions, and became the richest woman in all of England. Warner Brothers Pictures bought the rights to all the books, and began churning out filmed adaptations of each. The first film became the highest grossing film in history after Titanic, and the second landed in a very respectable fifth. Dr. Neil Murray met and fell for the classy-yet-shy author, and the two married in January 2002. On March 23, 2003, Rowling gave birth to a boy named David Gordon Rowling Murray.
Many Southern Baptists accuse J.K. Rowling of being a Wiccan who wrote the books in order to gather more followers into her life’s religion. Rowling said the following regarding book burnings of her works, and the accusations against her:
“I think that all the rumors about me are completely and utterly ludicrous. I myself am a Catholic. I’ve never joined an occult, and, personally, I think adults underestimate children. Not once has a child gone up to me saying, ‘Thanks to your books, I’ve committed life to the occult.’ They know it’s all just a fantasy and adults don’t really give them the credit they deserve.”
Here is where the research I have done begins. The series contains many themes to which Scripture points. A frequent theme throughout the novels is self sacrifice. Harry’s mother died trying to save him from the clutches of Lord Voldemort when her life could have been spared. This act protects Harry from Voldemort in the future during book one’s climax. Right before that climax, Harry’s best friend Ronald Weasley willingly sacrifices himself during a deadly chess match.
“‘Yes. . .’ Ron said softly, ‘it’s the only way. . .I’ve got to be taken.’
“‘NO!’ Harry and Hermione shouted.
“‘That’s chess!’ snapped Ron. ‘You’ve got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she’ll take me-that leaves you free to check the king, Harry!’
“‘But-’
“‘Do you want to stop Snape or not?’
“‘Ron-’
“‘Look, if you don’t hurry up, he’ll already have the Stone!
“There was no alternative.
“‘Ready?’ Ron called, his face pale but determined. ‘Here I go-now, don’t hang around once you’ve won.’
“He stepped forward, and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm, and he crashed to the floor-Hermione screamed but stayed on her square-the white queen dragged Ron to once side. He looked as if he’d been knocked out.”
Towards the end of both Sorcerer’s Stone (the book was changed from Philosopher to Sorcerer for U.S. readers, and will be used in this report) and Chamber of Secrets, Harry enters deadly underground chambers, not knowing what lies within, just to rescue his school and friends, without asking for any sort of reward. Did not Christ say, “There is no greater thing than when a man gives his life for his friends” (John 15:13)?
Faith is also a major element of the series. New to the wizarding world, Harry is told that to get through Platform 93/4, he must walk through the sold brick barrier.
“He started to walk toward it. People jostled him on their way to platforms nine and ten. Harry walked more quickly. He was going to smash right into the barrier and then he’d be in trouble-leaving forward on his cart, he broke into a heavy run-the barrier was coming nearer and nearer-he wouldn’t be able to stop-the cart was out of control-he was a foot away-he closed his eyes ready for the crash-
“It didn’t come. . .he kept on running. . .he opened his eyes. A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, eleven o’clock. Harry looked behind him and saw a wrought iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on it. He had done it.”
The station is called King’s Cross and Harry must place his faith in what he has been told in order to get through the barrier. This cleverly parallels the walk of a Christian, and how we must place our own faith in the King’s cross to get past the barrier that hinders us from accepting. Likewise, Harry must accept the strange-yet-wonderful ways of the wizarding world, much like how we accept the strange-yet-wonderful ways of the Lord and the spiritual world. Harry and Albus Dumbledore, his school headmaster, share a very deep, close relationship to one another. He places much trust in Dumbledore and looks upon him for guidance, quite similar to how we place our trust in God, or even a pastor, for guidance. In the third novel, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry wards off the chilling dementors (who will be discussed in detail later) using a spell entitled Expecto Patronum. Again, faith is present in that Harry places his faith in that spell to drive them away. This mirrors how we use Scripture against demons who try to terrorize our lives.
Another major element is loyalty. The relationship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione Granger is constantly emphasizing this trait. Each one is always looking out for the other; they tell each other (practically) everything and never try to be deceptive with one another. No one takes advantage of the other, and they are always there for each other, to stick up for each other, to share sorrows with each other, and to share joy with each other. Going back to the Harry and Dumbledore relationship, Harry’s extreme loyalty for him ends up saving him at the end of Chamber of Secrets. For this I will quote the film rather than the novel as it presents a more convenient way to be presented for both this writer and the reader.
Tom Riddle: “I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world!”
Harry Potter: “Albus Dumbledore is the greatest sorcerer in the world!”
Tom Riddle: “Dumbledore’s been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of me!”
Harry: “He’ll never be gone, not as long as those who remain are loyal to him!”
At this moment in the film, Fawkes the phoenix comes and ends up being an extremely valuable tool to help defeat both Tom Riddle and the monstrous basilisk (the king of serpents). Dumbledore later tells Harry (both in the book and film), “You must have shown me real loyalty down in the chamber. Nothing but that could’ve called Fawkes to you.”
Going back to the symbolism, this loyalty is reminiscent of how our loyalty to God can very well save our own lives, and God promises rewards to those faithful to him. An often overlooked character, the clumsy persona of Neville Longbottom also shows loyalty to the school.
“‘You can’t go out,’ said Neville, ‘you’ll be caught again. Gryffindor will be in even more trouble.’
“‘You don’t understand,’ said Harry, ‘this is important.’
“But Neville was clearly steeling himself to do something desperate.
“‘Neville,’ Ron exploded, ‘get away from that hole and don’t be an idiot!’
“‘Don’t you call me an idiot!’ said Neville.’ I don’t think you should be breaking any more rules!’”
He is committed to doing right, and not deceiving the teachers yet again. As Dumbledore said, “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.” For his regard of the rules and loyalty to his school, Neville was rewarded, just like God promises.
The subjects of hate and forgiveness are also present in the novels. Due to the childhood conflict with James Potter, Severus Snape utterly loathes Harry, and he him. Despite this conflict, though, Snape still saves Harry’s life in the first novel. Harry and Snape dislike each other, but Snape and Harry sort of silently forgive each other, even if they do not really express it. Ron and Harry both detest Hermione upon first meeting her. She is condensing, bossy, prissy, and intruding; yet during Halloween of book one, both boys rescue her from a deadly mountain troll.
“Harry then did something that was very brave and very stupid: He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind. The troll couldn’t feel Harry hanging there, but even a troll will notice if you stick a long bit of wood up its nose, and Harry’s wand had still been in his hand when he had jumped-it had gone straight up on of the troll’s nostrils. . .Ron pulled out his own wand-not knowing what he was going to do he heard himself cry the first spell that came into his head: ‘Wingardium Leviosa!’
“The club suddenly flew out of the troll’s hand, rose high, high up in the air, turned slowly over, and dropped, with a sickening crack, onto its owner’s head. The troll swayed on the spot, then fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.”
They are willing to set aside their past conflicts with her to accept her for who she is. Did not Jesus say to “love one another as I have loved you”? Harry and Ron also make up after an argument over Harry’s fame nearly tears the friendship apart, which demonstrates loyalty as well as forgiveness. A similar incident of jealously occurs in the same book as the previous incident (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) with Harry and another boy named Cedric Diggory. Cedric is dating an Asian girl named Cho Chang, whom Harry personal feelings towards. A sense of jealously brews within Harry, but when he gets to know Cedric as a person, his feelings towards Cedric subside. Perhaps the greatest and most prolific example, though, is the situation between Harry and Peter Pettigrew. Peter was supposedly the Potters’s friend, but he betrayed them to Lord Voldemort, and it cost them their lives. Harry is given the chance to kill him, but resists and attempts to hand him over to the authorities. According to Dumbledore, this act of mercy will have very interesting results in the future.
The novels contain much symbolism to Scripture, Christ, and the spiritual world. Harry himself is a parallel to the Christian. He learns the truth about his life, accepts it, and leaves the old world behind for a wonderful new one he was destined to be in. The character of Voldemort is equivalent to Satan, and because of a parent’s sacrifice, he cannot harm Harry. Dumbledore represents God because he is (as the books hint) omnipotent, wise, and loving, and is the only one who Voldemort fears. As mentioned previously, the dementors are symbolic of demons. Their purpose is to make one’s life miserable, sorrowful, and to suck the joy out of someone. Other symbolisms that lie within include the Mirror of Erised in which you see your heart’s desire. Dumbledore tells Harry, “It shows us neither knowledge or truth; men have wasted away in front of it. . . even gone mad. . .It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live.” This demonstrates how man’s desire lures him, and how Satan uses it against us. This idea is further expanded during the film’s climax.
Voldemort: “Tell me, Harry. Would you like to see your mother and father again? Together, we can bring them back. All I ask is for something in return. (Harry pulls out the Sorcerer’s Stone from his pocket.) That’s it, Harry. There is no good and evil. There is only power, and those too weak to seek it. We’ll do extraordinary things; just give me the stone!”
Harry: “YOU LIAR!”
Like Christ, Harry is a miracle baby living in a world he does not really belong in, but goes back to his world when the time is right. The character of Pettigrew is very much like Judas Iscariot in how he deceives those who trust him, and betrays them to the enemy. Later in the same book, an incident occurs that has a very symbolic undertone.
“Professor Trelawney, however, did not sit down; her enormous eyes had been roving around the table, and she suddenly uttered a kind of soft scream.
“‘I dare not, Headmaster! If I join the table, we shall be thirteen! Nothing could be more unlucky! Never forget that when thirteen dine together, the first to rise is the first to die!’”
During Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, thirteen were gathered in all. JudasIscariot was the first to rise. Judas Iscariot was the first to die. Harry and Ron were both the first to rise. . .
Dreams are used quite often in the books as well. Harry dreams of the night he was dropped off at the Dursleys’s, of Quirrell’s turban strangling him tightly, of Dobby the house-elf causing Harry embarrassment to keep him away from school, of Voldemort killing an old man, and many other things. In one form or another, each of these dreams had previously come true, or came true after Harry dreamt them, much how Biblical characters are given visions in their dreams by God and angels.
Now comes the part where my opinion truly reveals itself. Many who denounce the novels claim the books contain unholy possession, dishonesty, revenge, and physical rebirth. Although true, these incidents are not portrayed in a positive light. Voldemort commits all of these wrongs and, personally, I have no problem with it. A villain should not be doing good deeds, anyway. They should be malevolently evil and I fear for the mentality of anyone who thinks otherwise. The main concern, though, is the magical element of the books and films. The magic as presented in both forms is done in a very fantastical, traditional bibbodi bobbodi boo form. For further evidence of this, note that there are two (yes, two) forms of spelling magic. Magic is either a fantasy make believe element, mostly associated with fairy tales, or outright tricks done by magicians. Magik, on the other hand, is the spelling used by those associated with Wicca and involves real magic and rituals done to pagan gods, even Satan. The term magik is not used in the novels, but magic is. What I find laughable about the whole situation is that Christians (mainly Southern Baptists) denounce the books for the magic within them, yet quite a few Wiccans denounce the books for the magic within them, as well. Many Wiccans feel that Harry Potter is a major inaccurate portrayal of their religion from the way Harry rides his room all the way down to the material used for making wands. And to think the average Christian believes J.K. Rowling is part of occult! If so, then that woman really needs to pay more attention in Wicca school.
One thing that really gets my blood boiling is when Christians condemn Harry Potter for its fantastical elements, but praise the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien simply because they have religious symbolism in them. Excuse me? Has this entire report been in vain? The Harry Potter books contain just as much symbolic incidents as the works of the aforementioned authors. What makes me shake my head in disgust even more is the fact that even those works are starting to become hated upon by Christians.
It seems many “Christians” nowadays do not focus their life on God; they focus it on the search for sin and corruption and putting down others. I am outright sick of these hypocrites who, at the pulpit, preach the Word of God yet completely throw it aside in their daily lives. These people are the modern day equivalents of the Pharisees. As Christ said, they “strain at a gnat yet swallow a camel.” It is these type of “Christians” that actually make me embarrassed to say I’m one because I know that when people hear the term “Christian”, their minds automatically recollect the kind I speak of. Not only that, but amazingly, I would say a good three and a half out of fourths of those who consider the books and films blasphemous have not read a single line from the series. They go by what it others say, and this, too, infuriates me because it is like a judge proclaiming a prisoner guilty without examining the evidence and only going by the gossips of the jury and the spectators. We are living in a modern-day witch hunt, I am sorry to say, and I suppose that soon we must all abandon our God-given colors and only wear black and brown clothing that covers all but our faces.
The Harry Potter novels have become beloved (and hated) by millions worldwide. Say what you will, but I find the books to be masterpieces and the films to be cinematic gems. If you are one of those people who believes it is of Satan, I suggest picking up the first book, or at least watching the first film. Don’t worry, Harry doesn’t bite nearly as hard as those you meet with every Sunday.
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