As this passion blog comes to an end, I will be focusing this last piece on my favorite series of all time…Harry Potter. If I had to choose only one form of media, whether that be a book TV show, or movie, if I had to choose only one, I would choose to read and watch Harry Potter over and over. There is something truly special about this series, although the author is questionable. Harry Potter can be interpreted in many ways, I see two main themes “love is more powerful than fear” and “the acceptance of death”. I would like to briefly explain how the series sets up the latter theme, and why it is my favorite series of all time.
!!!!Spoiler Warning: this spoils the entire series as a whole!!!!
The Acceptance of Death
Voldemort
For a children’s series, the main theme of Harry Potter is the acceptance of death. We see this built up through each of the seven books, as Voldemort tries to escape death by living forever. He does so by corrupting and splitting his soul and hiding pieces of his soul in 7 different things. In order to corrupt your soul, you must commit a soul-splitting act… such as murder. He becomes less and less human, and more of a monster.
The Tale of the Deathly Hallows
The tale of the deathly hallows is a great tale I encourage you to read, but I would sum it up quickly. Three brothers are granted a wish by death, the first brother chooses power (but gets killed for that power), the second brother chooses to resurrect others (but kills himself to be with them), and the third brother chooses an invisibility cloak (to hide from death). The third brother lives a long life, he takes off his cloak to give it to his son, and he greats death as an old friend.
Harry Potter: The Forest Again
The legend himself, the most powerful scene of the entire books and movies (in my opinion), all comes down to the meeting in the forest. Harry Potter…. “The boy who lived… come to die”
The chapter is absolutely incredible, in the middle of a war, Voldemort demands Harry Potter alone so he could kill him, but not harm anyone else. Everyone insists they will fight for him, but Harry decides he must go and face Voldemort. If killing him is how to end this, he was willing to do it. He brings the resurrection stone to the forest, where he sees his parents, his godfather, his mentor, all who had died for him. His family says they’ll stay with him “until the very end” …
Harry didn’t even raise his wand, knowing if he tried anything, the army of death eaters would retaliate. Voldemort raises his wand to kill Harry, tilting his head like a curious child, wondering what would happen if he finally got his wish. Harry sees Ginny flash before his eyes, her hair her smile everything about her. He sees a flash of green light (the murdering curse) and everything was gone.
After “death” Harry Potter finds himself in a blindingly white train station, with Dumbledor (who is dead) and a mysterious shriveled creature in the corner, almost like a dead bird or fetus. Dumbledor explains the meaning, of the place, is up for interpretation, is Harry alive? Dead? Inbetween? It doesn’t matter, he could just be dreaming. The point is he is well, and Voldemort, the shriveled creature, is suffering. Because Harry lived a good life, full of friends and love, and Voldemort split his soul and would be in agony forever. Voldemort had accidentally put part of his soul into Harry when he was splitting it, and at the moment he “killed” Harry, he actually killed a piece of himself. Bringing Harry one step closer to defeating him.
The Takeaway
Harry Potter and Voldemort’s destinies are wrapped together, and this connection of souls only scratches the surface of how deep that connection goes. The allegiance of wands, Harry’s mother’s death, Voldemort regaining physical form, their mind reading connection. Even after all this, the symbolism and depth the series goes to parallel the tale of the three brothers into a complicated excited saga are incredible. The strength and willpower of Harry is always something I will admire, and the acceptance of death is an important lesson everyone should read, watch, and love.