Mirror of Erised

[Tim]

No: HPFGUIDX 154476

I've just had a look through the earlier posts and could'nt find 
anything about this. I know this isn't exactly a current discussion but 
bear with me.
I just finished watching the movie for the whatever numbered time it is 
now and couldn't help thinking where have I heard a phrase like that 
before.  I'm refering to the "men have wasted away in front of it.." 
quote of DDs. My mother refering to the TV and various computer games I 
got addicted to during my teens.

Now the point is for me that JKR is using the Mirror of Erised to 
illustrate the dependence some have on external thing (TV, et al.) to 
remove them from reality into their desires - she is illustrating people 
and society through an object central to the plot. Are there any others? 
This just came - although it wouldn't surprise me if its already been 
done on this list (sorry if it has).

Tim