The Harry Potter Books & Jungian Philosophy

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 129452

Marilyn:
> What struck me about the line "It does not do 
> to dwell on dreams and forget to live ..." is that it is in stark 
> contrast to the rich and colorful emphasis on pursuing one's 
dreams 
> in the Harry Potter books, as well as Harry's recurrent dream 
about 
> Voldemort.  In that respect, J.K. Rowling's writing is very 
similar 
> to the work of the psychiatrist Carl Jung.  Jung created elaborate 
> artistic paintings.  In his psychiatric work, he valued and 
analyzed 
> dreams.  However, he taught that, if a form of therapy did not 
> elucidate reality, then reality would eventually rear its head and 
> hurt the patient; therefore, therapy had to be in tune with 
reality.

Jen: Several of Jung's key concepts are explored throughout the 
series, especially the dreams like you mentioned, Marilyn. Mainly I 
see Jungian theory as another model to put over the series and 
explain some of the events going on, especially interactions between 
the characters.

The concept of opposites is seen everywhere, symbolized primarily by 
the Harry/Voldemort connection, and how Voldemort created his 
own 'dual' nature in Harry when he cast the killing curse that 
failed. The theory of opposites holds that Harry and Voldemort aren't
separate--one exists because of the other. We wouldn't be
cheering Harry on through his trials and tribulations if Voldemort
never existed. The force created, Harry attempting to defeat Evil,
and the characters (readers) mobilizing behind him, wouldn't happen
if Voldemort was not threatening destruction of the WW. And that 
force created between the opposite poles is really the crucial part 
of the story.

My favorite example of opposites is the Dementor and the Patronus, 
with the Patronus a projection of Good facing the Evil soul-sucking 
Dementors.

Another aspect of Jung's work is seen primarily in OOTP, the Shadow 
Side. Sirius was probably the best example of a character doing 
battle with his shadow side, but many members of the Order, and 
Harry also, had to battle the dark forces within during OOTP. Even 
DD seems to have had many doubts throughout the year about 
his 'plan' and the actions he was taking. 

Snape is a wonderful Shadow figure for Harry, a projection of all 
Harry abhors in the beginning, but now a very complex figure who 
makes Harry question all he holds dear. And Snape actually gave over 
to his shadow when he became a DE, so he is an important opposite to 
Harry as well.

Rowling does seem to hold that death is simply the "next great 
adventure," and the series at the core explores death and the 
different way humans view death. Also crucial is how their views 
affect their choices in life. That's a very Jungian idea, that birth 
and death are simply opposites and humans are the ones who put 
good/bad value judgements on the concepts.

It is fun to speculate about it, and if I'm remembering right, a 
picture was taken of JKR in front of a bookcase with Agatha 
Christie, Jung and other books behind her--possibly the writers who 
influenced the series?!

Jen, who isn't a psychologist but did read a little Jung along the 
way.