Harry Potter Final Exam
1. Wicca claims to be the continuation of pre-Christian European religion that went underground after the arrival of Christianity wicca=wise one/ the root of the word witch 2. Belief in the magic energy inherent in the world 3. Traditional herbal medicine big (Herbology, Madame Pomfrey etc.) 4. Emphasis on the individual's discovery of the magic of the universe (literally the goal of Hogwarts) 5. Similarities: spells, wands, herbal medicine, brooms, cauldrons, Tarot cards Differences: magic as divine force vs. magic as technology, goddess worship vs. no worship of deities, nature as sacred vs. nature as scenery
Wicca and Harry Potter
-Jesus and Harry -Judas and Wormtail -Betrayal and trial of Jesus -Judas supposed to be Jesus' secret keeper like Wormtail was supposed to be James and Lily's secret keeper -Sirius and Jesus (both wrongly accused) -Biblical lessons and lessons learned by Hogwarts gang (be humble, do right to others, keep your word, forgive others) -Snakes as a symbol of evil -The strongest force in the world is sacrificial love -Sirius is Harry's godfather -Christmas carols (O Come All Ye Faithful in 4th book) -Weasleys have a Christmas tree and Molly knits them sweaters as Christmas gifts every year
Christian symbolism in the Harry Potter books
1. Islam is the second largest religion in the U.K. 2. Muslim characters: Hassan Mostafa (referee at Quidditch World Cup. Traditional/stereotypical Muslim name) Ali Bashir (tries to smuggle illegal flying carpets into the Quidditch World Cup. Racist?) 3. In India, Pakistan, Bagladesh, Iran, and Mongolia flying carpets are used instead of broomsticks. Today flying carpets are often associated with Muslim culture. 4. No references in the books to Muslim alchemical traditions, genies in bottles, magic from Muslim folktales etc. No Muslim students which is weird for a British boarding school.
Islam and Harry Potter
-Medieval branch of learning that combined chemistry, medicine, and religious mysticism. Goal was to change other metals into gold to create the Elixir of Life. The Philsopher's Stone could help with both of these things. -Alchemy a symbol of transformation. Some texts were Christian, Jewish, Muslim that said that soul's journey toward God was equated with the alchemical quest -Golden snitch: some alchemical texts described the Philsopher's Stone as a gold ball with wings. Harry is the Seeker both spiritually and alchemically. -Nicholas Flamel: a historical person who claimed to know how to make the Philsopher's Stone. He and his wife are rumored to be immortal. Flamel is Dumbledore's old friend in Harry Potter. Dumbledore gets the stone from him.
Alchemy in the Harry Potter books and its religious significance
-Both Harry and Arthur are orphaned and raised by relatives, unaware of who they really are (a wizard and a king) and they both have many magical adventures -Both Harry and Arthur are trained by a Merlin figure (i.e. Dumbledore). Merlin an old man with long white hair who is a shapeshifter. (Dumbledore used to teach transfiguration) -The Mirror of King Rhyence: Merlin's magic mirror where the observer can see whatever he or she wishes. -Triwizard Tournament and Arthurian Grail Quest -2 different legends about how Arthur found his sword, Harry finds Godric Gryfindor's sword twice. King Arthur is the only one who can pull the sword from the stone because he is the true king/only a true Gryfindor could have pulled the sword from the sorting hat -King Arthur had a chess set that could move itself (wizard chess) -Many of the Weasleys have Arthurian names -The 13th seat at the table for the Arthurian round table is occupied by the person who is destined for the Grail Quest. Harry and Ron leave the table at the same time in book 3.
Arthurian themes in Harry Potter series
-Sacred trees: wands and the Celtic zodiac (wand chooses wizard and the type of wood says something about the character) -Harry's bday is in July which is holly in the Celtic zodiac. Holly protects against evil and is a symbol of resurrection. While Voldemort's wand is made of Yew which is very similar to Holly but is seen as sinister and sometimes is seen as a death symbol. -The Tuatha Dé Danann: a race of semi-divine people in Irish mythology (people like the Malfoys who are only interested in pure blood wizards and witches. They hate Muggles and Mudbloods, those who don't have any wizarding blood like Hermione) -The Hallows of Ireland: four treasures brought by the Tuatha Dé Danann when they came to Ireland (a stone, a spear, a sword, and a cauldron)
Celtic mythology in the Harry Potter books
-Cruelty vs. compassion -Selfishness vs. selflessness -Solitude vs. community -Sacrifices of others (Lily, James, unicorn) vs. sacrifice of self -Evil as parasitic: a cursed life, a half-life, Voldemort killing the unicorn to live, Tom Riddle's diary possessing Ginny, the dementors live off the happiness of others -Evil as blasphemous: Voldemort's name cannot be spoken (Jewish taboo of saying the sacred name of God), "The Dark Lord" "Lord Voldemort" semi-religious titles, Voldemort drinks unicorn blood (perversion of the Blood of Christ) -Voldemort as the Devil
Depiction of good and evil in Harry Potter series
-J.K. Rowling has a degree in Classics so allusions to both Roman and Greek mythology are frequent in the books -Present as a cultural element and source for ideas and names -Perseus: has an invisibility cloak and prophecy about him says he will kill the evil king (Harry and Voldemort), kills Medusa (a serpent lady who looks at people and turns them to stone), slays sea serpent and rescues a maiden, also tames and rides a winged horse (aka Buckbeak) -Cerberus: the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld in Greek mythology (aka Fluffy!!), is lulled to sleep by music -Merope: an immortal woman who marries a mortal man is punished for it (aka Merope Gaunt, Voldemort's mother who marries a muggle and is punished for it) -Centaurs and unicorns -Founders of Rome Remus and Romulus: left in the wilderness and raised by wolves: (Remus Lupin!) -Minerva: Roman goddess of wisdom that can change people's appearances (aka Minerva McGonagall teaches transfiguration) -Pomona: Roman goddess of orchards and fruit trees (Pomona Sprout herbology teacher at Hogwarts)
Greek and Roman mythology in the Harry Potter series
1. Canon (A closed body of sacred texts eg: Bible, Qur'an, HP series plus Magical Beasts, Quidditch Through the Ages, only JK Rowling can add to the canon) 2. Community formed around the Canon 3. Rituals (going to the bookstore at midnight dressed up to buy the books, getting a wand at Harry Potter World) 4. Pilgrimage (Harry Potter fans going to London to see where the movies were filmed/to Universal Studios to Harry Potter World/Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross) 3. A body of secondary literature to interpret the Canon 4. A body of apocryphal literature that adds to the Canon but is not accepted as Canon (fan fiction!!) 5. The canon informs moral decisions
Harry Potter fandom - a religious phenomenon?
-Hindu themes 1. Padma and Parvati Patil (Hindi names?) 2. Nagini (female serpent in Sanskrit), Voldemort's female snake 3. Hinduism doesn't play a large part in the books. There are some spells with ancient Sanskrit but that is about it. "Maya" means magical power in old Sanskrit texts. 4. The number 4 is significant in Hinduism. Often divided into 3+1 (four parts of the soul, four parts of the cosmic man; four houses, four founders, four Marauders) 5. Salvation is liberation from rebirth, salvation through knowledge, action, or devotion -Buddhist themes 1. One must be freed from all desires in order to reach Nirvana (Dumbledore says the happiest man on earth would look into the Mirror of Erised and see only himself) 2. Mahayana Buddhism - a bodhisattva is a person who can lead others to salvation. the bodhisattva has reached enlightenment but chooses to be reborn to help others. (Harry?) 3. COMPASSION FOR ALL BEINGS (HARRY!!!!!) 4. Rule in wizarding world: No magic in front of muggles except for emergencies. Rule in Buddhist monasteries: no showing off psychic abilities in front of lay people except in emergencies 5. The desire for immortality keeps you bound to an unsatisfying existence 6. Humans must realize death is natural and not something to be feared
Hindu and Buddhist themes in Harry Potter series
1. Blood purity 2. Anti-semitism could be compared to discrimination against Mudbloods 3. Anthony Goldstein: introduced in Book 5, part of Dumbledore's Army, Ravenclaw prefect 4. No Jewish alchemy, mystical traditions, or Hebrew words mentioned. King Solomon doesn't even have a Chocolate Frog card 5. The phoenix in Judiasm (the only animal that did not eat from the tree of knowledge therefore given eternal life) 6. Judiasm and magic wands: Moses parting the Red Sea with his staff 7. Harry as the "Chosen One" - a Jewish Messiah figure 8. In Judiasm any magic meant to harm is forbidden but if it's done on through G-d's power it is okay. 9. People won't utter Voldemort's name and Jews aren't allowed to say the name of God aloud
Judiasm and Harry Potter
3 levels divided into 2 stages LEVEL 1: Preconventional (often seen in kids less than 9) -STAGE 1: Punishment and obedience- Do what you want as long as you can get away with it; "Might is right." (Malfoy being mean to everyone) -STAGE 2: Instrumental exchange- Be nice if you get a reward; Ultimate reward: Get what you want by whatever means necessary (Dudley being a little sh*t all the time) -LEVEL 2: Conventional (reached by most adults; necessary to function in society) -STAGE 3: Interpersonal conformity- You worry about what others think of your actions; You do what earns you praise; Loyalty to friends and family (Harry and Ron) -STAGE 4: Social system- You obey rules and laws in order to maintain order and harmony in society (Hermione and Percy) -LEVEL 3: Postconventional (Sometimes you have to break or bend the rules because there is a higher principal at stake) -STAGE 5: Prior rights- Rules exist for a reason; Must be broken if they conflict with higher moral values (Hermione punching Malfoy in the face, Harry chasing Malfoy for Neville's Remembrall, Hermione wanting to liberate all the house elves) -STAGE 6: Universal Ethical Principles- There is a higher principle that informs all of one's actions; somewhat difficult to distinguish from stage 5 CONCLUSION: CHILDREN'S MAIN MORAL DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS BETWEEN AGES OF 10-18. It is important that they read literature to guide them in developing a higher moral consciousness.
Moral development in the Harry Potter books (Kohlberg's levels of moral development)
-Gods and goddesses, dwarves, elves, dragons, heroes, magical swords -The Odin-like Dumbledore: Odin is the master of magic in Norse mythology. He is the ruler of all the Norse gods and is sometimes depicted as an old man with long white hair and beard. -Mimir's Well: Odin drinks from Mimir's well of wisdom to learn about the future. Dumbledore's pensieve provides glimpses into the past. Both reveal insights into hidden truths. -Werewolves and outlaws: Lupin is a positive character in the HP books but is cast out of society because of his condition. Evokes the Norse association between werewolves and outlaws. They use the same word for both. -Giants in Norse myths: dangerous and unpredictable but not inherently evil -Dreaming the truth: foreknowledge through dreams a common trope in Norse literature (Harry dreams about flying motorcycle, flashes of green light etc. as a child, he also dreams of his stag Patronus before he sees it) -Ragnarok: the final battle between sources of good and evil aka The Battle of Hogwarts in Book 7. After Ragnarok a new generation of gods emerge (epilogue of 7th book)
Norse mythology in the Harry Potter books
-Abanes: 1. the series present real occult practices in an appealing way that could entice children and teens to meddle in the occult 2. the series promote moral relativism and provide questionable moral role models 3. occult magical practices are dangerous because they can be effective. Engaging in these practices can invite dark forces in. 4. Reading about magical practices is more dangerous than reading about Greek or Roman mythology because there is an actual religion tied to magic and nobody practices Greek or Roman religion anymore. -Granger: 1. reading Harry Potter promotes spiritual growth rather than an interest in the occult 2. central conflict between good and evil 3. alchemy consistent with Christian spirituality 4. Christian symbols: Phoenix, lions, griffins, snakes as a symbol of evil 5. Hero's journey through life, death, resurrection echoes Christ's journey 6. The strongest force in the world is sacrificial love!!! Buddhist: 1. magic is a mere byproduct of a well-mastered mind Islam: 1. Books banned in schools by UAE in 2002 because magic "conflicts with tenets of Islam" but bookstores still sold them 2. Some Muslim scholars criticized the books because of the glorification of sorcery (sorcery forbidden in Islam), rule breaking, lack of respect for elders etc. Jewish: 1. Almost all positive! Books translated into Hebrew 2. Protest from Israeli Jews about book 7 because of the release date and Shabbat/Aka the Sabbath
Religious responses to the Harry Potter series
1. The Basilisk! 2. Serpents symbolize temptation, evil, deceit, trickery, 3. Serpents symbol of Slytherin house, many Slytherin students are unpleasant 4. Parseltongue - the language of snakes regarded as sign of dark magic if you are a Parselmouth (Salazar Slytherin, Tom Riddle aka Voldemort, and Harry Potter) 5. The gaze of a Basilisk can kill. It is connected to alchemy because its ashes can turn silver into gold.
Serpents in the Harry Potter books
1. Nigredo (Black) - The dissolution/death of the old body so it can be returned to its original substance. 2. Albedo (White) - The original substance is purified. Often symbolized by the moon (Luna) or a lily (Lily Potter). Associated with the colors silver and white. Symbolized by a unicorn. (Silvery blood from unicorns, Albus = White Dumbledore has white silvery hair, Fleur always described as silvery) 3. Rubedo (Red) - The body (stone) is united with the spirit and transformed. An alchemical wedding. Resurrection from the dead. (Fleur and Bill's wedding at the beginning of 7th novel, Neville's Remembrall) -Each year at Hogwarts represents a new alchemical cycle: Dissolution at Dursleys --> Purification and learning at Hogwarts --> A symbolic death and resurrection for Harry -GREEN IS A NEGATIVE COLOR IN ALCHEMY: Slytherin, serpents/snakes -PHOENIX AS THE ULTIMATE ALCHEMICAL SYMBOL: transformation and rebirth, red and golden colors associated with the Philosopher's Stone, sometimes identified with the Stone itself -Harry's wand shoots out red and gold sparks. He pays 7 Galleons for it (a signal of each year of his alchemical journey). Start of his alchemical journey happens when he opens the Chocolate Frog on the Hogwarts Express and gets Nicolas Flamel. -7 is a huge number in alchemy. 7 planets represent 7 stages of transformation. -GOLD IS EVERYWHERE -Four elements in classical alchemy: fire (Gryfindor lion), earth (Hufflepuff badger), air (Ravenclaw eagle), water (Slytherin serpent) -Four champions in Triwizard Tournament four elements? (Harry-fire, Cedric-earth, Fleur-air, Viktor-water) -Middle chapter of the middle book (Goblet of Fire) Harry gets the golden egg - symbolic??
Stages of Alchemical Transformation
1. Miraculous conception/birth and prophecy about a child's destiny (Harry's prophecy to defeat Voldemort) 2. Childhood, initiation, and divine signs (First years travel over the water to get to Hogwarts (baptism?), they are "initiated" into Hogwarts through the Sorting Hat and given a new identity) -Child hero usually conquers a monster or wild animal that represents wild human desires and they are seen as great/greater than their fathers (Basilisk, everyone's view of Harry in comparison to James) 3. Preparation, meditation, etc. (the hero withdraws from the world in preparation for later deeds) 4. Trial and quest (the hero is given one or more tasks and often involves finding an elixir of life/immortality: Triwizard Tournament) 5. Death of the hero usually a sacrifical death for the good of others, dying or dead hero mocked by others (Harry "dies" when his Horcrux is killed and he has the choice to die for good or come back) 6. Descent into the underworld often described as womblike and a place of new birth (Harry and baby Harry horcrux) 7. Resurrection and rebirth often associated with the spring. Hero conquers death and comes back to life (Harry and baby Harry horcrux) 8. Ascension, apotheosis, atonement. Apotheosis is becoming a god (Harry becoming a hero for finally getting rid of Voldemort for good?)
The Archetypal Hero's Journey and Harry Potter
-Names in the HP series say something significant about a person: Albus Dumbledore (White Bumblebee a juxtaposition of the solemn and the homely), Salazar Slytherin (Name of Portuguese dictator and JK Rowling had a terrible ex who was Portuguese), Draco Malfoy (Dragon Bad faith), Reumus Lupin (Remus one of the founders of Rome who was raised by wolves) -Not all names are interpreted correctly: Sirius Black (the dog star) -Tons of Roman and Greek mythology goes into names of Harry Potter characters
The significance of names in the Harry Potter books