It has not been a surprise that over the last years the novel of a boy with a scar and magic abilities has inspired children and adults. People cannot stop reading the story of a young boy who goes to a wizard school named Hogwarts. But have they thought why readers are attracted to this book series? And how it has influenced them in different ways? These are questions, this paper tries to answer. Furthermore, the main goal will be to answer the question in what way does symbolism appear into the novel? What is the meaning of the symbols in this novel? These questions will be answered by both: analysing the context in which they appear and their possible meaning in the novel.
The answer would be simple: Due to many stylistic and rhetorical devices, J. K. Rowling enlightens the world of the and gives us the possibility to discover it. However, a big part of this input comes from symbolism she uses as an author to catch attention in a better way. An entire generation has been influenced of how the author J. K. Rowling turns the world of a book into a living one. Therefore, it is no surprise that this piece of fantasy literature has become an important object of various studies. The novel itself can be investigated in several ways. This means Harry Potter as a fantasy novel is a masterpiece of literary and stylistic devices. It can also be approached as a good example of how an author could with use of symbolism write a good novel.
In this term paper, the author would therefore like to limit the field of study to the meaning of the symbols we can find in Harry Potter. Furthermore, there will be a short definition to give an overview about what are core aspects in Heroic fantasy? This should help to get an impression of what is important in this genre and how it is presented. The term paper will be structured with a theoretical framework, the analysis and a conclusion to summarise all important results and with a look in the future concerning symbolism. There are a lot of traditional symbols with different origins and meanings. In this term paper the author is describing only the most common symbols like e.g. good versus evil, magic, names and spells and other important symbols which she considers as nameable. She will be working with the hypothesis that patterns can be found in the manner of symbolism in many various ways.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Definition of the genre Heroic fantasy
2. Theoretical setting for symbolism
3. Symbols
3.1 Good vs. Evil
3.2 Magic
3.3 Names and Spells
3.4 Well-known symbols
4. Conclusion
Objectives & Core Themes
This paper aims to explore the multifaceted use of symbolism within J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone." By analyzing the narrative, characters, and objects, it seeks to answer how symbolism functions as a literary device to deepen the reader's understanding of the heroic fantasy genre and the characters' internal development.
- The definition and characteristics of the heroic fantasy genre.
- The theoretical foundations of symbolism in British literature.
- The duality of good versus evil through house emblems and wands.
- The linguistic and thematic significance of character names and spells.
- Symbolic objects as manifestations of personal desires and internal struggles.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Good vs. Evil
One of the main topics in Harry Potter is the fight between good versus evil and against Lord Voldemort the villain who killed Harry’s parents. Throughout the first book of the Harry Potter series we collaborate with several hints and symbols of the evil and the good. However this ancient fight of good versus evil was already a topic in several literature works mostly for example in the holy bible. In the first book of Harry Potter we were introduced into the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each of them has an emblem of an animal which represents their houses: Lion for Gryffindor, badger for Hufflepuff, eagle for Ravenclaw and a serpent for Slytherin. In the book especially the emblem of Slytherin is described as “huge” with a colour of “silver” and a “serpent” (Rowling 2014: 330). Slytherin is best known as the evil house of Hogwarts due to the fact that Lord Voldemort was a member of it himself. It is no coincidence that Slytherin is associated with a serpent “one of the eldest and largest existing symbols for evil” (www.mugglenet.com).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the "Harry Potter" phenomenon and sets the goal of the paper, which is to analyze how symbolism is utilized to enhance the narrative and character depth.
1.1 Definition of the genre Heroic fantasy: This section defines the sub-genre of heroic fantasy, highlighting the hero's quest and the struggle between good and evil.
2. Theoretical setting for symbolism: This chapter provides the academic background on symbolism as a literary device, connecting it to historical movements and broader cultural meanings.
3. Symbols: This chapter serves as the analytical core, presenting various examples of symbolism found within the novel.
3.1 Good vs. Evil: This section explores how house emblems and the wands of Harry and Voldemort represent the opposing forces in the story.
3.2 Magic: This section discusses magic not just as a power, but as a projection of a wizard's inner character, using the Mirror of Erised as a prime example.
3.3 Names and Spells: This section analyzes how Rowling uses Latin and Greek roots in names and spells to convey character traits and thematic depth.
3.4 Well-known symbols: This section examines prominent symbols like Harry’s scar and the Gryffindor lion, which represent the hero's burden and his virtues.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, confirming that symbolism is a vital tool for coherence and depth in the novel.
Keywords
Symbolism, Heroic Fantasy, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Magic, Good vs. Evil, Literary Device, Mythology, Wands, Character Development, Medievalism, Narrative Coherence, Mythology, Spells, Quest
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on identifying and interpreting the various symbols J.K. Rowling incorporates into "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" to add complexity to the story.
Which genre is analyzed in this work?
The work focuses on the sub-genre of "heroic fantasy," exploring how the narrative fits into traditional tropes of heroes and quests.
What is the research question addressed by the author?
The research question asks how symbolism appears within the novel and what meanings these specific symbols hold in relation to the story's themes.
What methodology is used to analyze the symbols?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, looking at the context of symbols within the text, their origins in mythology and language, and how they function as character indicators.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body covers the theoretical definition of symbolism, the struggle of good versus evil, the role of magic, the etymology of names and spells, and other iconic symbols like Harry's scar.
Which central thematic keywords characterize this analysis?
Key terms include symbolism, heroic fantasy, character development, narrative coherence, and the use of linguistic roots in fantasy literature.
How is the "Mirror of Erised" interpreted symbolically?
The Mirror of Erised is viewed as a symbol of human desire, illustrating the danger of becoming trapped by past losses rather than living in the present.
Why are names like "Draco Malfoy" and "Minerva McGonagall" significant?
These names are analyzed for their etymological roots, which provide subtle hints about the characters' personalities, such as Draco's association with serpents or Minerva's namesake as the goddess of wisdom.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Symbols of Heroic Fantasy, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1027124
