[Essay-a-thon entry] Christ Figures in Harry Potter

[parallactic]

Written for kitsunelover who requested Christ figures in Harry Potter. If this isn't to your taste, I'd be willing to do the second request.

Comments

[parallactic]

-Good point on Voldemort/Riddle. I wonder if it's possible to die and be reborn twice.

-I don't count GoF as the rebirth of the Potters, because they stayed dead, and were the equivalent of helpful ghosts. They do get honorable mentions, because they embody the actual spirit of Christ figures. Lily and James also don't qualify because they weren't the 'chosen one' that we know of. There was nothing marking them as otherworldly.

[ook]

You might talk about the symbolic use of animals. The lion and deer (stag) are two very important Christian symbols. The bee (honey) is also used.

FYI: the-patronus.com has a few essays about Christianity and the HP books.

[vanityfair00]

An interesting read. I do disagree with on categorizing Peter and Lord Voldemort with the possible Christ figures. Death and rebirth are only the starting point. A character's reason behind it are also important. Your take on Harry is excellent, and I had never before considered the DA and Marietta Edgecombe in that light before

[parallactic]

The only thing stopping Peter and Voldemort from being actual Christ figures is that they're on the dark side. That, to me, is interesting. They'd win on all technical aspects, but would be disqualified for not fulfilling the essence of the criteria.

Lily, I think, would win for fulfilling the essence, but not meeting the technical aspects. While she died, she wasn't reborn (which seems to be the no. 1 giveaway), but she did sacrifice her life to save her kid. She indirectly defeats Voldemort through her maternal love (her sacrifice causes the Killing Curse to rebound), and her love protects Harry until GoF. So I think her character can exemplify Christian values, but she isn't a Christ figure.

I'm not sure though, that JKR set out to write a series set with Christian values, but YMMV. I definitely don't think JKR set out to write about the devil.

[texasrachel]

While Sirius doesn't have many of the main Christ-like criteria, I really hope it isn't coincidence that his three best friends were Peter, James, and (Remus) John. That alone really makes me think we'll see Sirius, briefly, again in some capacity.

[parallactic]

Hm, never noticed that. So what? Sirius would be Luke? I wouldn't put it past JKR not to have Sirius revisit, since she's done so with the Potters (Harry's memory, pensieve, GoF cemetery scene).

[kitsunelover]

Well done! Thanks for defining "Christ figure" so thoroughly. I like the analysis of Harry very much; especially the observation that he has literally saved other people's souls. And it is interesting that you chose to identify Voldemort and Pettigrew along with the others. They do fulfill many of the criteria, but I associate "Christ figure" with "good guy," so I suppose they're good anti-Christ figures.

This essay was certainly to my taste; don't feel obligated to do the second request. But . . . I would love it if you did.

[parallactic]

LOL, anti-Christ figures. :) I think that Voldemort and Peter may fulfill all the requirements, but fail when it comes to the spirit. :)