Harry Potter and Stoicism

[Jerri&Dan Chase]

No: HPFGUIDX 185903


> This was actually one of the very few books about Harry Potter that I
> liked well enough when I read it first time around. The book is
> called "The Wisdom of Harry Potter" by Edmund Kern.
> Alla


I read this book some years ago, between books 5 and 6 I believe.  I got it 
from the library and so don't own a copy to refer to, but as I recall, while 
mentioning classic Stoicism he was comparing HP more to "neo-Stoicism".  I 
would need to read the book again, I thought he had some points that seemed 
valid.  As I recall his comments on neo-Stoicism (and I may have the word 
wrong, going from memory) it was more concerned with actions than with the 
complete removal of emotion from classical Stoicism.  One part of the ideal 
was to act as if you weren't being hurt.

Lots of examples in the books:  "Ignore it" by Harry and/or Hermione at 
various points in time.  Harry's life with the Dursleys.  Snape's entire 
life.  Harry broke with this ideal in OoP, especially at the end, but then V 
was influencing his mind most of the book.

Again, this is working from memory, and rather stale memory at that.  I had 
actually been planning to find a copy again and re-read, but as someone on 
list says a new version, taking all 7 books into account is being prepared, 
I suppose I will wait.

Jerri