Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
This post contains minor plot spoilers – read at your own risk.
I started reading yesterday afternoon and read until 1 a.m. – stopping only to feed and care for my family. I started reading again today after lunch, and finished at 4 p.m.
I have not been shy about my love for Harry. I posted this after watching the first three movies, but not yet having read any of the books. After reading the first six books and John Granger’s Looking for God in Harry Potter, I posted these thoughts.
I’ve now read the last book in the series, and the thought that keeps rattling around in my mind is this: a lot of Christians should be asking forgiveness of J.K. Rowling for slander. Slander may seem like a harsh word, but here’s the definition: “the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation.” Many Christians have defamed Rowling by calling her a satanist, a danger to children, and worse.
Now, lest you think I’m simply assuming her Christianity because of her books, I point you toward this interview from 2000, about the time that people were screaming mad about her book being allowed in schools because of “satanic themes.” Here is a portion of the interview, in which Rowling answers the question of her faith:
Harry, of course, is able to battle supernatural evil with supernatural forces of his own, and Rowling is quite clear that she doesn’t personally believe in that kind of magic — ”not at all.” Is she a Christian?
”Yes, I am,” she says. ”Which seems to offend the religious right far worse than if I said I thought there was no God. Every time I’ve been asked if I believe in God, I’ve said yes, because I do, but no one ever really has gone any more deeply into it than that, and I have to say that does suit me, because if I talk too freely about that I think the intelligent reader, whether 10 or 60, will be able to guess what’s coming in the books.”
After reading the finale of Rowling’s series, I can understand why she would say this. Just as Christians reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will see Jesus in Aslan, Christians reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be unable to miss the distinctly Christian themes and Scripture quotations.
At one point, Harry visits the cemetery in Godric’s Hollow, the burial place of his parents and some of Dumbledore’s family members. On the grave of Dumbledore’s sister is engraved, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” This is Matthew 6:21. On his parents’ grave, he finds, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” This is 1 Corinthians 15:26.
As I read this scene, I began to sob. Not simply from the emotions involved in Harry seeing his parents’ grave, although it was a poignant scene. No, my heart was hurting for J.K. Rowling. It is so obvious from reading this book that she is a believer, and that she has written Harry Potter as fantasy that reflects a Christian belief in sacrificial love, redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life. And yet this woman has been villified by her fellow believers – they have called her the enemy, and not only have they harbored those thoughts in their hearts, they have felt free to spread them on the internet, from the pulpit, and by word of mouth. Angela Hunt at A Life in Pages points out in the comments section of her post on Harry Potter:
In retrospect, as I look back over the ten years or so of Harry Potter, I have to admire Ms. Rowling’s remarkable forebearance. She hasn’t complained, explained, or defended herself . . . and I don’t think I’d have been as quick to stand back and remain silent. There’s a lesson to be learned here, I think . . . I’m sure there is a time to speak up and a time to refrain from speaking.
I hope that reading the reviews of Deathly Hallows will perhaps cause some Christians to re-think their view on Harry Potter, maybe pick up one of the books and actually think for themselves about what the themes in the series are.
Don’t just take my word for it. Here are some other posts worth checking out:
~This review from the Wall Street Journal sums it up nicely. Even a secular publication notices the strong Christian symbolism. Here’s a snippet:
It has been widely observed that J.K. Rowling owes a creative debt to Christian fantasists J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (apart from their fondness for initials). It’s odd now to remember that, at the same time, some parents have objected to the magic depicted in the Harry Potter books as a glorification of satanic practices. For “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” confirms something else apart from the well-thought-out-ness of Ms. Rowling’s moral universe: It is subtly but unmistakably Christian.
The principal Hogwarts holidays have always been Christmas and Easter, but it took five books before Ms. Rowling really began tipping her hand. In Book Six, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” she addressed concepts of free will, the power of love, and the sanctity of the soul. But in the final volume she gently lays it all out. The preciousness of each human life; bodily resurrection after death; mercy, forgiveness and redemption; sacrificial love overcoming the powers of evil — strip away the elves, goblins, broomsticks and magic wands and these are the concepts that underpin the marvelously intricate world of Harry Potter.
There are clues throughout. At one point, Harry is led to a weapon that will enable him to destroy the Horcruxes when he finds them: “The ice reflected his distorted shadow and the beam of wandlight, but deep below the thick, misty gray carapace, something else glinted. A great silver cross . . . “
Two unattributed New Testament quotations recur in the story after Harry sees each on a tombstone in the village where he was born and his mother and father died. He discovers on the Dumbledore family tomb “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” from I Corinthians. And on the grave of his own parents, he finds this, from Matthew: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” On seeing it, Harry feels momentary horror: Does it imply a link between his parents and Voldemort’s followers? Hermione gently sets him straight: “It doesn’t mean defeating death in the way the Death Eaters mean it, Harry. It means . . . you know . . . living beyond death. Living after death.”
~The Sword of Gryffindor has a good post detailing some of the Christian elements. Also, there are many, many posts at this site that go into even more detail, so click around as you have time. A quote from the initial review:
Let’s say it plainly: The debate is over. Rowling so clearly told the Christian story in Deathly Hallows that one wonders how anyone will ever protest the series again. (They will, of course. It’ll just be all the more ludicrous).
~John Granger, the author of Looking for God in Harry Potter has many insightful posts on the final book at his blog, Hogwarts Professor.
I know, this isn’t really a review. I don’t mean to keep going on and on about this, but the injustice of it all bothers me. I don’t know if I’ll be able to change anyone’s mind, but I am done being worried about what Christians think if they find out I read Harry Potter.
On to the book. I don’t quite know what to say. I really wasn’t sure how she could live up to expectations that were so high, but she did. The book ended the series perfectly – from Harry coming full circle by leaving the Dursley’s as he arrived (in Sirius’s motorcycle, driven by Hagrid) – to the final battle at Hogwarts – and the beautiful epilogue at King’s Cross Station, Platform 9 3/4.
I don’t want to give too much away, but Rowling was right when she said that beloved characters die. There were many heart-breaking moments when tears flowed freely. I discovered that it is not good to read a book like this in the same room as your 10 year old daughter. Every time I gasped, or sobbed, or whispered, “Oh, no!” – Natalie immediately demanded to know what was happening. I must admit, I snapped a few times. “Please, just let me read – I’ll tell you when I finish it!”
Deathly Hallows was a fitting ending to a series that I know I will be reading again, and that will be among my favorite, most-cherished books.
I quite agree.
Granger is a friend of my Dad’s. Dad is even mentioned in the preface to LFGHP. Our small family claim to fame.
Best,
Suzanne
July 24th, 2007 at 11:21 pm:::noddiing::::
Very well spoken. I am wondering how the interpretation of this last book will be received by the Anti-Potter crowd. Thanks for the link to Granger’s blog. His book really helped me cement my thoughts when I started to get flak from a lot of people about allowing my kids to read HP.
July 25th, 2007 at 4:47 amNicely done.
July 25th, 2007 at 5:50 amWell said, Carrie.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:02 amWonderful critique, Carrie, and I hope it does change some minds about the Harry Potter books. Reading “Finding God in Harry Potter” sure cemented my thoughts and wonderings.
I’m proud of you for standing up for what you believe.
Love ya.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:44 amI am so glad that other Christians are speaking out in favor Harry and JK Rowling. I love these books so much and as a Christian I find them to be positively inspiring! If I only I would be more self-sacrificing and loyal. Keep spreading the positive news about Harry and his world. Maybe someday soon it will be accepted.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:20 amThis is the first reference I had seen to the scriptures and themes in DH. I had wondered if people would admit them.
I absolutely despise it when people who are christians tell me I am wrong for liking HP. Especially as those same ones are big fans of Narnia, etc.
Your post sums it up quite well. Thank you for your wise words! (as usual)
I cried a lot, and positively sobbed, and even cheered out loud during my first reading (well, ok, my second too.. haha) and it drove Kela nuts! But I could not help it, I was mostly reading it the first time on a 3 hour car trip home! So there was no avoiding the family! haha
July 25th, 2007 at 8:48 amCarrie,
Well done! I agree that Rowling has been amazingly quiet about the direction the books were going…looking at the whole series from the vantage point of the end it is clear to see she has had this in mind from the beginning.
I have noticed a shift in the criticism of HP lately, from “it promotes witchcraft!” to “it’s not very good literature anyway.” I guess it’s hard to admit you are wrong.
July 25th, 2007 at 9:25 amSuzanne – so cool! I would LOVE to sit and talk HP with Mr. Granger.
Lara, Lisa, Andrea, Mom – thanks.
Rebekah – thanks – I will! I’m determined to win as many people over to HP as possible!
Lawanda – Oh, I cried and cried, too. I’m ready to read it again!
Tonia – “I guess it’s hard to admit you are wrong.” Oh, that is so true! And so much of that is just literary snobbishness, which I hate!
July 25th, 2007 at 11:55 amGood post! I’m going to check out some of your links. I had never read the interview w/her saying she was a believer. Here’s the thing, regardless of if she is or not, those are still Biblical themes!
July 25th, 2007 at 6:34 pmAmanda – exactly! I guess what I was thinking is that the trouble from fellow Christians would be especially hurtful.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:39 pmWell said.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:31 pmThanks, Staci!
July 26th, 2007 at 8:30 amVery nice review. I wrote one that includes a link to a review from Christianity Today. I thought it was interesting.
http://mercysnumber1fan.blogspot.com/2007/07/warning-harry-potter-spoilers.html
July 26th, 2007 at 8:58 amJennifer – thanks for stopping by! I’ll be sure to check out your review.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pmThank you for writing this review. I’ve not read one word of any Harry Potter book because I believed the critics. Your review has convinced me that these aren’t satanic books, and now I feel dumb for refusing to read them.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:35 pmConnie – Oh, thank you so much for leaving this comment! Don’t feel dumb – you should be excited that you have a whole wonderful series of books ahead ofyou!
July 26th, 2007 at 4:11 pmConnie, don’t feel bad. We felt that same way during the first couple of books, then when i was reading what a fine line people drew between HP and Chronicles of Narnia or TLOTR, then I just read one.
And felt like slapping myself upside the head.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:02 pmAndrea told me about this without telling me specifically what you said. A fantastic post.
Despite the fact that our society generally looks at our ancestors and scoffs in terms like ignorant and babaric. It wasn’t really until I saw Bowling for Columbine that I realized that witch hunts are every bit as common to day as they were centuries ago.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:36 pmThanks, Ron. I’m not familiar with Bowling for Columbine – is that a documentary?
July 26th, 2007 at 9:03 pmYep, it is – the one produced by Michael Moore. There’s an overview here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_for_Columbine. Although some people would call it a mock-umentary. It was definitely interesting.
I’m answering for him as he probably won’t see this till Sunday night.
July 27th, 2007 at 8:08 amThanks, Andrea – I’m going to add it to my Netflix queue.
July 27th, 2007 at 8:38 amCarrie, I came across your blog…sheesh..I’m not even SURE how I did now…hmmm…talk about a mommy brain. I saved the site because well I’m a Carrie, a Christian, a Mommy…all these things….just like you. And now I read your review/critique/commentary on Harry Potter and I know God led me here for a reason…You made me cry!! I am sooo thankful when I find other Christians who see these themes. I read it all in one sitting on Saturday night and I got up and PACED the room RANTING to my husband that I could not understand how NO ONE else seemed to “get” how Christian Harry Potter really was!!! I paced for a good 2 hours I believe…so anyway…thank you thank you thank you….
July 27th, 2007 at 9:26 amCarrie – Oh, you are so welcome! I feel the same way when I find other Christians who love Harry – a kindred spirit! I’m a Christian homeschooling mom, but sometimes it feels like those are the people I fit in with least. Nice to meet you, Carrie2 – I’ll be checking out your blog soon.
July 27th, 2007 at 9:44 amRe: Columbine movie. It’s definetly not for the kids (at least not until they are mature enough to understand it, like teens) and disturbing in some parts. Some also say misleading, but I was just telling Ron that if you can’t get his over-the-top-ness and use of sarcasm and irony.. well…
July 27th, 2007 at 11:52 amOh yes You and I are DEFINATELY kindred spirits…I don’t seem to fit the mold…but you’ve seen my blog now and probably understand all that much more
July 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pmI heard a similar argument on the radio just the other day and was so glad that someone took the time make it. One of my friends, a devote Christian, is so adamant about not reading the series because she believes what her pastor has been telling her all these years–about how satanic the books are and all that. I’ll be directing her to your blog to hear another view of it. I won’t say she’ll change her mind, but at least she will get another point of view.
July 28th, 2007 at 5:26 amI only heard rumblings of the anti-Harry movement as my church never said a word. I dismissed it as “just silly folks.” After reading this review and its links, I am amazed at people’s close-mindedness. I think the books are a wonderful illustration of good triumphing over evil, the dangers of flirting with evil and the quest for power, but most of all, they have made readers out of thousands of kids who didn’t like it. Wouldn’t it be nice to see the trend some Christians show of bashing things turn to promoting the good and positive things that abound in this world. Focus on how we become better personally rather than on how others are so less than perfect.
July 28th, 2007 at 8:27 amAndrea – thanks for the head’s up – I won’t watch it with the kids. I have to admit I’ve avoided Moore’s movies after the his Fahrenheit 911 movie, which seemed to have so many deliberate falsifications. (Is that a word?)
Anyway, I’m taking my own advice about not relying on hearsay from other people, and I’m going to give one of his documentaries a try.
Carrie2 – yes, I did stop by – I love your blog name!
Literary Feline – Thanks for sending her my direction!
Framed – exactly!
July 28th, 2007 at 6:48 pmThanks, Carrie, for taking the time to write this defense/review. I haven’t read the HP books, not because I’m anti-Harry, but because it’s become a matter of stubbornness for me. If everybody else is doing it, I won’t. Sometimes.
I did let my children read the books, and they absolutely love them, and discuss them, and re-read them. Maybe I’m saving the books for my old age.
July 29th, 2007 at 6:47 pmCarrie, I have held off reading this post until I had a chance to read the book. I have to give you credit where it’s due for speaking so clearly and honestly to a situation that has caused so many vicious words to be strewn about. I have long felt that JKR has been unnecessarily condemned. But as you know, I’m not Christian, and as such if *I* had said these words they’d have fallen on deaf ears. I hope that – after reading this from someone who shares their faith – many Christian families will take it to heart and read these books. You’re right on.
July 30th, 2007 at 7:41 pmSherry – well, if that’s the case, you have some wonderful reading to look forward to!
Kris – Thanks!
July 31st, 2007 at 7:02 pmI’m an unabashed, old-fashioned christian but I have read all of the HP novels (just finished the last one). It’s suprising how many christians are so insecure in their faith and ignore the principles by which they’d contend qualify them–patience, tolerance, love, examining carefully all things to determine the truth.
The christian themes are unmistakable in the series that it behooves any christian worthy of the name to read the books first before crying wolf.
I admire the author’s perseverance; and thank you for speaking out for her.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:41 pmI.J. – thanks for your kind comments!
August 4th, 2007 at 4:48 pmCarrie, have you considered submitting this post to a Carnival of Homeschooling?
August 4th, 2007 at 11:58 pmI am delighted to find other Christians who enjoy Harry Potter! When the series was only two books old, I was given the first one by a British friend who said “you HAVE to read this!” I had already heard from “Christian” media that the series was based on witchcraft and Christians should not even open the covers… However, being a curious sort, I decided to see what all the fuss was about and started to read. It only took the first few chapters for me to begin to see the obvious Christian elements in the story, and I wondered “What’s going on here? why are people not able to see this is a Christian story?” As recently as last month, a Christian friend told me, rather defensively, that “Harry Potter is witchcraft”. When I asked if she had read any of the books, she said “Of course not! I wouldn’t want to have anything to do with witchcraft!” I gave her a few examples of the Christian symbolism that occurs in the series and she looked as if I was trying to “put one over on her”.
The fact is, that Christians who have complained about the evils of Harry Potter have, for the most part, not read the books. They have trusted someone else’s word, and that person is liable to have not read the books either. And somewhere, way back down the line, is a Christian who read that old original satirical “Onion” article about the witchcraft in Harry Potter and was unable to recognize obvious satire, and began to spread the rumor. Then the rumor gets taken up and promoted by other people who have not read the books, ad infinitum. And once again, Christians have made themselves look silly, uninformed, uneducated, and gullible– just as we Christians are liable to think of non-Christians who authoritatively state what they think the Bible says, when they have never read it for themselves!
Why do I think Christians have made themselves look uneducated? In the first instance, for not recognizing the satire in the original Onion article. Next, for not recognizing the Christ symbols of classical English literature. Also, for complaining that Harry Potter lies and breaks rules and therefore shouldn’t be regarded as an appropriate hero– a hero always has to have a flaw or two, right? Weren’t they listening in English Literature class when that point went by? And would “normal” children and teenagers identify strongly with a character in their own age group who never ever did anything wrong? not likely– children know themselves too well to think such a person could be “real”!
I personally stand in admiration of Ms. Rowling’s prodigious knowledge of classical literature, alchemy, symbolism, not to mention church history. You have to be very well acquainted indeed with church history to name a character after “Nymphodora”, one of the martyrs in the early eastern church who had a prayer and healing ministry with her two sisters. And how about Saint Severus… apparently people of his century had some difficulty deciding which side he was on! (sound familiar?!) I confess to not knowing about these two ancient saints myself until after I found their names in “Potterworld”!
I am looking forward to rereading the whole series and probably will do so at least once a year for a while… and will find more and more evidence, I am sure, of the Christian foundation that underlies the series. I would love to hear that at least some of those who have fought against J.K. Rowling have contacted her with an apology for their defamation of her character.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:40 pmRina – thanks for the suggestion, I think I will!
Lynda – wonderful comments – some of those same things have run through my head or been spoken by me.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:11 pmCarrie, great thoughts! I am so happy to find your blog and read something from someone who believes it’s okay to be a Christian who reads Harry Potter!
Thank you for the great links!
August 11th, 2007 at 7:47 amTina – Thank you! Glad you stopped by.
August 11th, 2007 at 7:53 amEven though I have yet to read the Harry Potter books I never did understand the fuss Christians were making. We love Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. One of the principles I use to judge a book is if evil is shown to be destructive and from what I know evil is clearly marked in these books.
August 14th, 2007 at 2:13 pmI am bookmarking this to come back to read after I finish the series. I read books 1 thru 3 out loud to my kids years ago. Then I took a sad detour through “fundamentalist land” and stopped reading them. Once through that desert, I decided I may as well wait until the series is finished. I can’t wait. My dd tells me the last book is fabulous!
August 14th, 2007 at 3:53 pmRenae – Yes, evil is definitely clearly marked out. And she also does a good job of showing that the good guys are still flawed, and are good because of the choices they make, not something that is inherently better than anyone else.
Karen – Oh, what a happy thing to still have so many HP books ahead of you! Enjoy!
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