November Lesson


                          Who is Harry Potter?
 
 Only a toddler, Harry does not remember Voldemort assaulting him on
Halloween 1981, when he was branded by a lightning-bolt-shaped scar on his
forehead, which signifies he is the chosen child among the wizards. Delivered to
his aunt for shelter, Harry grows up as a muggle oblivious to his abilities,
although he wonders why strange things tend to happen to him. Harry is
conditioned to abuse and does not expect any alleviation of his miserable
existence. On his eleventh birthday, he experiences an awakening symbol of
emerging adolescence. Harry learns that his guardians have hidden his true
identity and legacy and that he belongs to another society and culture where he
is appreciated for who he truly is.
 
 His rescue from the restrictive Dursley home by characters who are surrogate
parents signals Harry�s emergence from his decade-old cocoon spun with
intolerance. Welcomed at Hogwarts , his parent�s alma mater, Harry finds his
true home, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. He is
transformed from an ordinary boy who discovers that he is special, a universal
human desire, into an extraordinary defender of all that is good. As an
apprentice wizard, Harry undergoes training and rites of passages, trying to
master the craft of magic. Despite his genetic legacy, Harry is not an
extraordinary student and sometimes feels like an outsider because of his past
and inexperience with magic.
 
 Like his creator, J.K. Rowling, Harry shares a summer birthday which marks his
transition, or rebirth,to form a transition in the muggle world to new life in the
wizard realm. In book two, Rowling reveals that Harry was born in late July 
1980, which is symbolic. During that particular summer there were many
international crises, some of which include the boycotted Olympic Games in
Moscow, the failed rescue mission to liberate American hostages held in Iran,
race riots in Miami, and the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helen�s. Harry�s birth
represents the possibility of a peaceful savior emerging during a time of chaos to
restore order. Harry soon becomes an icon for wizards who invest their hopes in
him, to save them from Voldemort. Now considered a hero because of his
historic defiance against Voldemort, Harry assumes the burden of protecting
good wizards and witches from evil, to fulfill his destiny.
 
Harry the Hero?
 
 Harry is an archetypal hero, he suffers a tragedy while young, and his spiritual
scar, which is much like his lightning bolt scar, remains with him throughout his
quest to avenge his parents death. Like many heroes, Harry expresses reluctance
to begin his journey, questioning whether he is capable of his tasks required for
him. He is motivated by his personal need for fulfillment and seeks
encouragement from a mentor. In Harry�s case, Hagrid is his first guide, who
reveals details of Harry�s past, later on Dumbledore, Lupin, Sirius, and Snape
assume this role in different times. As with almost all heroes, Harry attracts
friends because he is loyal, kind, and courageous and continues these
relationships despite his flaws and limitations. Harry survives challenges, danger,
obstacles and faces overwhelming enemies. He is small, yet brave enough to
oppose much larger and more experienced foes. At times, he is tempted by evil,
like many other heroes, but refuses to cooperate.
 
 Harry�s quest seems doomed and impossible, but the hero prevails. Harry learns
that respect must be earned and that sacrifices are often necessary to achieve
success. Such offerings can be material objects or the act of suffering pain, as
Harry usually experiences during his battles with Voldemort. The hero must fight
alone and exceed his limitations because sidekicks can only go so far. 
 
 A final confrontation between good and evil results in the archetypal hero�s
victorious return home, this is Harry�s ultimate fate. During this process, the hero
matures and acquires wisdom, power, and is given awards to complete his
achievements. The archetypal hero, as represented by Harry, symbolizes the
virtues most readers respect. The hero secures a fictional, ideal world that
enables the reader to escape their own lives.