Harry's scar (was JKR and intuition)

[dfrankiswork at netscape.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 23074

r_e_d_queen at yahoo.com quoted the Oedipal article:

>"Harry's facial scar . . . "brings to mind other special marks, for 
>example, the scars Oedipus had on his feet, where his parents pierced 
>them before they left him to die, the mark of Cain, who murdered his 
>brother, and the stigmata of Christ, who, being the Son of Man, was 
>murdered by his collective parents."

and wrote:

>Above are just two examples of how JKR, consciously or subconsiouly, 
>draws deftly from folk literature, the classics and that deep vein of 
>shared anxieties and experiences a Jungian would be better equipped
>to explain. I find this one of the most fascinating and enriching 
>things about her writing. 

Yes, something that came up a little while ago that we didn't really explore was the meaning of Harry's scar.  The point is that it is not, or at any rate not only, a record of Voldemort's attack on him - there was no mark on V's father or grandparents, or, as far as we know, on Cedric.

So the scar is connected with (symbolises?) Harry's *survival*.  The parallel with the stigmata of Christ (I don't necessarily think there is intended to be such a parallel by JKR) would suggest to me that the scar is a symbol of parental love, not parental murder.  Specifically, Lily's love for Harry which, as far as we know, was the main and quite possibly the only reason for Harry's survival.

What Harry is carrying around on his face is 'My mother loved me that much'.  He has trouble grasping this as an adolescent, of course, but as an adult (if he gets that far) I expect he will be proud.

I should stick some IMOs around this but instead just say I'm sure other interpretations are possible - any thoughts?

David


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