John Granger "Looking for God in Harry Potter"/ Random thoughts about CH 1-3

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 185906

http://www.amazon.com/Looking-Harry-Potter-John-Granger/dp/1414300913


I have a guess that more people may have read this book than the 
others. I of course heard about John Granger before, read some 
excerpts, but have never read this book or any of the others he wrote 
about Harry. I have had this book for some time though, so I 
figured,  may as well, and if it will be too over the head for me, 
well, I can always stop.

Here is his website for those who is interested:

http://hogwartsprofessor.com/


I mean, to me the books had never been the allegory of the Bible, but 
always had strong Christian influence to it and I mean, obviously the 
ending only strengthened it for me.

So, I started the book, in the first two chapters he argues how 
Christians should not be afraid of the magic in the books and how it 
is different from occult magic. I mean I understand his intentions, 
but the thought of the audience who needs to be convinced that the 
fictional magic, is well, not a real magic, makes me want to slap 
this audience real hard. Again, nothing against the author, really, I 
understand to whom he is talking in those introductory chapters.

Now, chapter 3 really made me wonder, because he is talking about 
Hero journey as applicable to Harry Potter books. Now, I must say 
that any possible misinterpretation of his words is completely my 
fault, so forgive me in advance; I cannot put in my opinion in every 
sentence here. He is basically saying that it is a classic hero 
journey with the Christ like twist. Here is how he maps the elements 
of the journey:

Start, escape, mystery, crisis, descent, combat, Christ symbols, 
return, revelation and finish.

So, he is basically saying that the difference from Classical journey 
is that heroes of the past did not do the biggest battles of the 
journey in the underground, but outside.

And Harry always does do it in the underground (Graveyard is 
literally not one, but it is a place of the dead, so I agree that it 
can count as one) and he sort of dies and come back with the help of 
Christ symbols.

I mean, I agree that Harry literally or figuratively almost dies, but 
didn't the battles often occur in the underground for other heroes as 
well?

Hm, I was doing a quick search to find the elements of the classic 
journey and could not, so if anybody has them, please feel free to 
post.

Anyways, Granger lists as Christ symbols  in order : Philosopher's 
stone, Phoenix, Stag, Phoenix song, Phoenix swallowing death curse.

This is all lovely, and sure I can see how Christ symbols **help** 
Harry, but when Granger starts to argue this. "And in case you think 
this is just a "great comeback" rather  than a resurrection 
reference, please note that Harry never saves himself but is always 
saved by a symbol of Christ or by love" – p.22 of "Looking for God in 
Harry Potter". And I am thinking that this is a fine example of 
stretching the point to the extreme to fit your argument. Just stop 
after saying that those elements **help** Harry, because it is 
extremely bizarre to me to read that Stag saves Harry in PoA, and not 
Harry himself who saw himself **casting said Stag** and was finally 
able to do it.  And  Harry's love for Sirius that saved him from 
possession in OOP – um, that IS Harry himself, is it not?

I am intrigued by this book for sure, I do think it talks about the 
books more than many other HP books I read, but we shall see if I 
like it when I am done.

I will be back to talk about other chapters.