2 of 7

Write now Article Tools

The Harry Potter septology is full of Christian parallels, in it's imagery, characterizations, and plot line, yet those who burned the books before this was revealed are reluctant to admit it. Early on in the trilogy, J. K. Rowling stated that if you read the Bible, you know what would happen in the last book. She also stated multiple times that she was not a pagan, but Christian, and that she attends church regularly. These statement apparently fell on deaf ears, as there was a great outpouring against the Harry Potter books by a segment of the Christian population. The use of magic and fantasy creatures is objected to by many Christians, but magic appears in the most heralded Christian septology, Narnia (even though CS Lewis never intended it to be Christian tale and said so many times.) The prevalence of magic and fantastical creatures in Harry Potter in no way detracts from the Harry Potter series' classification as Christian literature.

Christian Imagery
J. K. Rowling uses Christian images often throughout her harry Potter series. The most obvious image take from the Bible is the Dark Mark which is a Biblical image taken from Revelations chapter 13: the mark or number of the Beast. Rowling changes the placement of the mark from the hand or forehead to the forearm, reinforcing its' evilness in the mind of modern readers by referencing the place where the Nazis marked the concentration camp victims. In contrast with the Mark, the Deathly Hallows are a Christian symbol, representing the Trinity. J. K. Rowling employs Christian imagery in her creation of the Deathly Hallows, as the three Hallows, like the Christian Trinity, are the means to conquer death. The Elder Wand, the Ring, and the Invisibility Cloak in Harry Potter represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, some of the most important Christian imagery.

Christian Characterizations

Christ figure are common in literature. Usually, the author gives this away by give the Christ figure the initials "J. C." Look for a Christ figure in the first six Harry Potter books and the closest you will find is Lily Evans. But she dies for her son, not the world. In the seventh Harry Potter book, Harry Potter himself emerges as the Christ figure. The Prophesied Child is a common figure in literature. Like the children from the Narnia books, Harry Potter appears to fit this mold in the first six books, as he defends the magical world against the threat of Voldemort. Yet Harry Potter is not the savior who the Order

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Literary Analysis: Harry Potter and Christian parallels?
We want to hear your view. Write now!