The Role of Religion in the Potterverse

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 186254


> >Carol wrote:
> >At any rate, any reader who associates Harry with a messianic
> >figure will, I think, specifically associate him with Christ,
> >which takes us back to "Christ figure."
> 
> No.Limberger responds:
> A Jewish reader won't associate Harry Potter with the
> Christian Christ.
> 
> IMO, the most accurate description of what Harry as
> a literary figure is that of the "hero" archetype. 
<big snip>

Pippin:

"Christ" is the Anglicized form of a Greek translation of the Hebrew word Anglicized as "Messiah." (got that?)  The literal English translation of both terms is "annointed." The association is there whether I as a Jew find it meaningful or not.


The values of the hero tale *are* universal -- and that's what's wrong with 'em, IMO. Bella displays   courage and self-sacrifice for the sake of her people every bit as much as Harry does, and her ordeal was arguably worse. But the boon she brings back  is not a message of  forgiveness. 

Harry saves people from Voldemort -- but that's not what he brings back from his final ordeal. Voldemort's power is broken already. What Harry brings back is Voldemort's last chance and forgiveness for Snape and Dumbledore. 

Speaking as a Jew, it doesn't quite mesh with the values of Judaism. According to Jewish teaching, remorse is not restitution, and forgiveness cannot be granted unless restitution is made. I'm perfectly happy to appreciate HP on its own terms. I just don't see them as universal.

Pippin
inclined, like Aragorn, to leave you to reflect on the history of tongues