Since the publication of the first book in the series in 1997, Harry Potter has become a worldwide phenomenon. One can think of several explanations for this lasting popularity. Maybe one reason for it lies in the use of certain archetypes and story arcs that can be found in popular tales.
This thesis will examine in what way and to what extent Harry Potter can be added to the archetypal heroes the American mythologist Joseph Campbell has described in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" in 1949, first by lining out the different stages Campbell laid out in his book and then by applying them to the Harry Potter novels. The analysis is divided according to the three stages Campbell uses (Departure - Initiation - Return).
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Harry Potter and the Monomyth
2. Departure
2.1 The Call to Adventure
2.2 Refusal of the Call
2.3 Supernatural Aid
2.4 The Crossing of the First Threshold
2.5 The Belly of the Whale
3. Initiation
3.1 The Road of Trials
3.2 The Meeting With the Goddess
3.3 Woman as Temptress
3.4 Atonement with the Father
3.5 Apotheosis
3.6 The Ultimate Boon
4. Return
4.1 Refusal of the Return
4.2 The Magic Flight
4.3 Rescue from Without
4.4 The Crossing of the Return Threshold
4.5 Master of the Two Worlds
4.6 Freedom to Live
5. Conclusion: Harry Potter, the Familiar Hero
6. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines to what extent the Harry Potter book series aligns with the "monomyth" structure defined by Joseph Campbell, specifically analyzing how the novels map onto the three distinct stages of the hero's journey: Departure, Initiation, and Return.
- Analysis of J.K. Rowling's use of literary archetypes and mythological traditions.
- Application of the monomyth framework to plot points throughout the seven volumes.
- Evaluation of how the circular structure of the series interacts with Campbell's linear hero's journey.
- Examination of character development and the role of "supernatural aid" and father figures.
- Investigation into the broader popularity of the fantasy genre and the "quest" motif.
Auszug aus dem Buch
2.1 The Call to Adventure
The reader first meets Harry in his common day world, namely his miserable life at the Dursleys, his uncle Vernon, his aunt Petunia, and his cousin Dudley, Harry’s only living relatives. He is called to adventure first through the letters he receives from Hogwarts (PS 28 ff.) which his Uncle intercepts, so that Hagrid, the half-giant “Keeper of the Keys and Grounds” at Hogwarts, has to collect him at a tiny, lonely shack on top of a rock that Mr Dursley chose in order to escape the letters. Hagrid then informs him of all the things that the Dursleys have hidden from him: that he is a wizard, that his parents did not die in a car crash like they told him and that he is to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hagrid therefore, together with the letter he finally gives Harry, is the herald of the story, which brings irreversible change to the hero’s life.
Both the locality of the call and the outer appearance of the herald fit with Campbell’s generalising observations: The shack on the rock corresponds to Campbell’s typical places like dark forests (see 43), while Rowling’s description of Hagrid is in agreement with Campbell’s herald being “terrifying” (ibid. 44): “A giant of a man was standing in the doorway. His face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard” (PS 39). Hagrid tells him of his actual “destiny” (Campbell 48): “Yeh don’ know what yea are?” (PS 42, italics in the original); “You’ll be right famous at Hogwarts”, ibid. 47). Through this his “spiritual center of gravity” (Campbell 48) shifts from his everyday world to the world of magic and wizardry.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Harry Potter and the Monomyth: This chapter introduces the global phenomenon of Harry Potter and outlines the academic approach of using Joseph Campbell’s "monomyth" framework to analyze the narrative.
2. Departure: This section explores the first stage of the hero's journey, detailing how Harry is pulled from his mundane life into the magical world through the call to adventure and the crossing of initial thresholds.
3. Initiation: This chapter analyzes the trials, encounters with mentors and father figures, and Harry's growth as he navigates the complex challenges of his magical education and his quest to defeat Voldemort.
4. Return: This part examines the final stage of the journey, noting the unique circular narrative of the series and Harry's eventual transition toward mastery and freedom, despite the difficulties in applying Campbell’s return motif perfectly.
5. Conclusion: Harry Potter, the Familiar Hero: This chapter synthesizes the analysis, arguing that Harry Potter’s enduring popularity stems from his role as a "familiar hero" who follows timeless mythological patterns.
6. Bibliography: This section lists all primary and secondary sources referenced throughout the thesis.
Keywords
Harry Potter, Joseph Campbell, Monomyth, Hero's Journey, Mythology, Fantasy Literature, Archetypes, J.K. Rowling, Departure, Initiation, Return, Quest, Voldemort, Hogwarts, Literary Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this thesis?
The thesis analyzes the Harry Potter series through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s "monomyth" theory, examining how closely the books follow the universal hero's journey.
What are the central themes explored in the work?
The work explores archetypal storytelling, the structure of fantasy literature, the role of mythological patterns in popular fiction, and the character evolution of Harry Potter.
What is the core research goal?
The goal is to determine to what extent and in what way the Harry Potter novels align with the three specific stages of the hero's journey: Departure, Initiation, and Return.
What methodology does the author use?
The author employs a comparative literary analysis, applying the concepts established in Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" directly to the narrative arc of the Harry Potter books.
What does the main body cover?
The main body breaks down each of Campbell’s stages (Departure, Initiation, Return) and systematically applies those sub-steps to plot events, character relationships, and thematic developments throughout the seven volumes.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Monomyth, Hero's Journey, Archetypes, Fantasy Literature, Harry Potter, Mythology, and Narrative Structure.
How does the author handle the circular nature of the Harry Potter series?
The author argues that because the series is circular rather than linear, some of Campbell’s stages appear multiple times, which explains deviations from the standard step-by-step mythological model.
How is the "supernatural aid" role filled in Harry Potter?
The author observes that Rowling expands the concept by splitting the traditional "supernatural aid" role (often one wise mentor) among several figures, with Albus Dumbledore serving as the primary example.
What is the conclusion regarding Harry's status as a hero?
The conclusion defines Harry as a "familiar hero" whose popularity is deeply linked to his embodiment of classic mythological traits that resonate with audiences across cultures.
- Citar trabajo
- Maximilian Horsthemke (Autor), 2010, Harry Potter, the Familiar Hero, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/171223
