[HPforGrownups] Wizard Religion / Wizards and their eye-wear/ meddlesome fools/ Hermione in myth

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 48131

Pip writes:

> Religion is so very much in the background in the WW that it appears 
> to be a deliberate authorial decision. 
> 
> JKR does use various Christian symbols (Harry's wand is made of 
> Holly which has been used as a Christian symbol, the Stag that is 
> James's patronus is also a symbol of St Godric, Sirius is Harry's 
> *Godfather*, Hedwig is the name of a Saint who had particular 
> concern for orphaned children, and so on).

I am currently reading the book "The Gospel According to Harry Potter" by Connie Neal, which goes through all four books and pulls out examples of what may or may not be Christian symbolism.  Suffice it to say a lot of it is really good.  Some things I hadn't noticed.  I've been wanting to detail some of them, but didn't really know whether to put it here or on chatter.  Since it would quote a good bit of scripture, don't want to offend anyone.  Anyway, whether or not there is religion in the WW, I think that JKR has taken great lengths to keep it out of the books as far as blatant religiousity (kids don't go to chapel, for example) while seamlessly integrating Christian symbolism into the books.  In a way that you won't find it (usually) unless you look for it.  Either that or there are some really big coincidences.  And I mean REALLY big.  Then of course there's that quote where JKR said if you were familiar with Christian theology you might know how it would all end--something like that. 

Naama the New writes:
  So, if magical medicine is so advanced, how come so many wizards 
  still have glasses?! Are they so attached to their spectacles that 
  they won't magically rid themselves of them? I wear glasses since I 
  was six, and I know that if I had a magical solution I'd use it.

Well, for some people there is a "magical" solution for us Muggles.  Depending on the eye sight problem, there's laser surgery.  Which could repair my eyes and I'd never need glasses again.  There is also the slightest chance that a mistake could be made and you'd end up blind.  A chance I don't want to take.  I'd rather wear glasses.  Maybe it's that way in the WW.  Maybe magic delicate enough to repair a retina is very tricky and has a risk involved.  I mean just look at what Gilderoy Lockhart can do with a broken arm.

Daniel Brent writes:

> What does Lucius mean by "meddlesome fools"? Could this comment to 
> Harry have something to do with what James and Lily did? Notice, he 
> uses "they" implying both of them... What did they interfere in? And 
> how are they similar to Harry?

I think it has something to do with them (Lucius and the Potters)fighting on opposite sides.  Or possibly, just possibly, one (or both) of the Potters spying on one side while fighting for the other.  Maybe.

JOdel writes:

> Er, you have Minerva confused with Diana. Diana (Artemis) was the virgin 
> goddess of the hunt. Usually associated with a stag or a hound. Minerva 
> (Athena) was the (also virgin, but didn't make a big deal out of it) goddess 
> of wisdom, and in her aspect of Nike, victory. Also patron of weavers. 
> Usually associated with an owl.

And war.  Minerva's goddess of wisdom and war.  Can't forget war.  Owls she used to send messages.  Hmm, sounds familiar.  And there was that time she told Perseus how to defeat Medusa.  Could McGonagall give Harry a clue in the final battle?  I know, I know, I mention that ALL the time.  Can't help it, I like McGonagall.  

Richelle


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