|
The Harry Potter books can - as we have seen over and over again on LL - be interpreted in many ways. Theologically, ethically, morally (with no religous over or undertones), philosophically or just as a great yarn populated with wonderful, memorable characters facing trials and tribulations and triumphs that can easily be identified with by people of all ages and backgrounds in the Real World.
Religious Christians see all kinds of Christian symbolism/references in the HP series, pagans see all kinds of pagan symbolism/references, etc. How wonderful that these novels can be so universal and speak to so many diverse groups! (One of the best examples of this is the King's Cross chapter of DH. The author purposely wrote it such that each reader could see it taking place wherever they choose.) That is exactly what Jo has said she wanted.
And it's all there, of course. She has incorporated so many different traditions, legends, philosophies and ethical messages in this series - very deliberately, I believe. Jo herself is a self-professed Christian but she obviously realizes the value of all stories and belief systems which do not have hate as their basis (ie - LV's religion has hate of "the other" as its basis). Within the seven books, there are loving, respectful tributes to the stories and the thought-processes of Christianity, the numerous types of paganism, secular-humanist-rational ethical thought, etc. Book Seven might be a bit more Christian-focused, but that is only one of seven books.
Harry's journey and it's final outcome is mirrored in the tales of MANY belief systems - not just Christianity by a long shot. Even in the religious stories of the North American Indians. A hero or heroine "dying" and coming back to life to save the world (often to provide a good harvest upon his or her return) is as old as the ancient Egyptians and Osiris. (In that case it represented the cyclical near-drying-up of and the overflowing of the Nile River.) As is the mythology of a hero "returning to life" in order to fight a vital battle.
Jo says that Hogwarts is a multi-faith school and, at no time, is the religion of any of the students, teachers or other HP characters mentioned. We can assume that Anthony Goldstein is probably Jewish, that the Patil sisters might well be Hindu, that the Irish Seamus Finnigan could be Catholic. (I like to think that Minerva McGonagall is a Scottish Unitarian, but that's just personal prejudice. (heh, heh)) But Jo has left that up to each reader's imagination. The important thing to her is that none of these children are discriminated against because of their religion or lack thereof. In the wizarding world, apparently, it is blood-status that is the main fodder for bigots.
One of my favourite non-academic essays on the HP series is one which was written by Nathan Thornburgh in the Apr.28, 2008 issue of Time Magazine. It is entitled "You Didn't Know Harry Potter Was Jewish?" and is quite delightful (at least I find it so). (Just go to www.time.com and type in the title of the article as your search term to read it.)
Another Jewish reference Jo uses is Nick's Deathday Party. I once saw a play about this. As I recall from the play, Jewish culture celebrates the day a loved one dies. The ones who knew him or her have a special meal and speak of the person. How wonderful of Jo to incorporate this! I think i like the idea of the kind, popular Sir Nicholas de Mismsy-Porpington being Jewish. And none of the Gryffindor students have any problem with that. (Were it only so in the real world!)
Jo is a Christian. There is Christian symbolism in her books. But there is also much Greek and Roman and Norse mythology. There is also the philosophy and ethical arguments spoken by the great rationalist non-theological thinkers and philosophers throughout time. And many other influences which I am not educated enough to recognise.
Laura
"At least as much as they've been attacked from a theological point of view," she (JKR) says, the books "have been lauded and taken into pulpit, and most interesting and satisfying for me, it's been by several different faiths." The values in the books, she observes, are by no means exclusively Christian, and she is wary of appearing to promote one faith over another rather than inviting people to explore and struggle with the hard questions.
Rowling's religious agenda is very clear: she does not have one. "I did not set out to convert anyone to Christianity. I wasn't trying to do what C.S. Lewis did. It is perfectly possible to live a very moral life without a belief in God, and I think it's perfectly possible to live a life peppered with ill-doing and believe in God."
Time Magazine (Dec. 31, 2007)
edited by laura w to rearrange a few sentences
This post has been edited by Laura W: Jun 20 2009, 06:38 AM
--------------------
|
Jun 19 2009, 06:24 PM
