DH as Christian Allegory (was Classical & Biblical Quotations)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 173228

> >>MelroseDarjeeling wrote:
> > Everyone might not agree that *all* of these are intended as a
> > Christian allegory, but I suspect most would agree that the      
> > central point of the book, and indeed the whole series, is Harry 
> > sacrificing his life for others in a dead-on parallel to Christ's 
> > crucifixion.
> > <snip>
> > Curious to know what others think. If this was her goal, was she
> > successful?

> >>Maeg:
> You make a compelling argument that JKR successfully incorporated  
> Christian mythology for many plot points, and perhaps several       
> overall themes of the series. It didn't make for a successful final 
> book, in my opinion, but perhaps that's because I'm no fan of      
> Christianity. Does my negative reaction mean that it was successful 
> for those who approve of the Christian message?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
In a word?  No. <g>  In a bit of irony I've had reason to study the 
crucifixion this week and I have to strongly disagree with 
MelroseDarjeeling's contention that Harry's death scene paralleled it 
at all.  In fact, I'd go so far as to say that what occurs in DH is 
not only not very Christian, it's actually in opposition to 
everything Christ taught and demonstrated.

Of course this is my opinion and I'm sure (very sure! <bg>) others 
will differ.  But, speaking for myself, here's the problems I have 
with attempts to parallel Christ's crucifixion with Harry's death.

Just on a non-theological basis, Jesus was surrounded by the living, 
not the dead.  His disciples were there, they protested when he was 
taken and in fact Peter attempted to fight the soldiers leading Jesus 
away.  (A move Jesus rebuked, healing the soldier Peter had wounded.)

In contrast, Harry seperates himself from his friends and speaks to 
the dead.  He goes to his death at the orders of a *very* human man, 
not the word of God.  And he leaves his friends fighting and killing 
those around them.

So visually the scenes are completely different, IMO.

On a more theological level (which is where things always get hairy, 
so again, my own opinion here), while Jesus submitted himself to the 
base laws of men to prove the Christ *above* those laws (to 
demonstrate a higher law, if you will), Harry went to die because he 
had a bit of evil in him and death seemed the only solution.  Harry 
even had his beloved dead around him encouraging him to do it.  Jesus 
sacrificed; Harry suicided.

And of course, the kicker for me is that Harry is not Jesus Christ.  
Not even close.  Looking at Jesus's actions (healing the Centurion's 
servant, protecting the adulteress, healing the woman with an issue 
of blood, taking on a tax collecter as his disciple, speaking with 
the non-elect, healing the woman of Canaan's daughter) and at his 
words (the parable of the Good Samaritan, the entire Sermon on the 
Mount) shows that Jesus was inclusive and compassionate.

There's also the story of Saul's conversion into Paul that shows that 
with Christ redemption is always possible.  You are not locked into 
the person you thought you were at age eleven.

DH gives us a completely different view.  Instead of inclusion we get 
regulated and codified exclusion.  Compassion is limited only to a 
rarified few.  And redemption is an impossibility.  You are who you 
were born to be and only the elect are blessed.

These were ideas supported and promulgated by folks in the *name* of 
Christianity, yes.  Calvinism is one example.  I think there was a 
very Hogwarts-type breakdown of who was worthy and who was not in the 
Medieval ages.  Gryffindors were the Christian nobility, Hufflepuffs 
were the peasantry, Ravenclaws were the philosophers and scientists 
and artists, and Slytherin were the nonbelievers or Muslims and Jews.

But I do personally reject the idea that such theories have any 
bearing on Christianity (except in a sort of historical interest kind 
of way, like an astronomer looking at old theories based on the earth 
being the center of the solar system).  So I also cannot see any 
example of the Christ within DH and therefore the series. 

That's my opinion anyway. <g>

Betsy Hp