[HPforGrownups] Re: MAGICkal elITE - The Boy, The Man, The Hero, the Saint.

[No Limberger]

No: HPFGUIDX 186434

>bboyminn wrote:
>And I think we see Harry's symbolic death and rebirth in every
>story. The Harry we see at the beginning of the book is not the
>Harry we see at the end of the book. He is older, wiser, and
>more experience; more wiser and more experienced in ways that
>his fellow students are not.

No.Limberger responds:
Exactly.

>bboyminn wrote:
>So, very much Harry is 'everyman', and I think that is a huge
>aspect of the appeal of the stories to people. It is very easy
>to see yourself reflected in Harry. He is not some idealize
>'After School Special' version of a Hero. He is flawed, he has
>troubles, he struggle with the common things that we all
>struggle with. He is an ordinary man who is not afraid to do
>extraordinary things.

No.Limberger responds:
Exactly.

>bboyminn wrote:
>Harry as 'everyman' and 'hero' are very clear, but to draw
>Christ-like parallels, you need to dig pretty deep in to the
>symbology and mythology of the story; pretty deep into the
>subtle and abstract aspects of the story. I think any one
>who sees any deeper resemblance to Harry and Christ beyond the
>subtle and symbolic, is adding a lot more to the story than
>is actually there.

No.Limberger responds:
Exactly.

>bboyminn wrote:
>Harry, in my view, is only Christ-like in the sense that nearly
>every hero's story tells a Christ-like tale.

No.Limberger responds:
Exactly.

As I have previously indicated, there is no harm in viewing
Harry Potter as a "Christ-like figure" or "Christ-figure".  However,
Harry's life falls so far short of that described in the Christian
new testament of the life of Jesus that, yes, to see such a
strong parallel between Harry and Jesus can be a stretch. The
alternative is to so water down the definition of "Christ-figure" as
to make it apply to virtually anyone who has ever done any kind
of a heroic act, such as soldiers who were wounded or died in
battle in efforts to save others, policeman and firemen who
have done the same, Buddha, Frodo Baggins, Perseus,
Luke Skywalker, etc.  Since a difference that makes no difference
is no difference, use of the term "Christ-figure" in that context
is meaningless.  Otherwise, the bar is raised so high that only
Jesus qualifies.  Additionally, to have such a watered-down
definition of "Christ-figure", imo, can potentially reduce the
value of the the new testament stories of Jesus that
Christians hold dear.

What makes the stories about Harry and Jesus (as well as
every other mythic, religious and fictional hero) have similar
elements is that each is a variant of the common "hero's journey".

Now, let us consider some of the differences between Harry's
life and the life of Jesus as described in the Christian new
testament.  Was Harry born of a virgin as Jesus was?  No,
Harry is clearly the son of James and Lily Potter.  At the time
of Harry's birth was he visited by three magi, was there a new
star in the sky, or were there heavenly angels visiting wizards
to tell them that a wizard savior had been born to parallel
similar stories about the birth of Jesus?  No.  Did Harry at
age 12 visit the Ministry of Magic and impress all of the
wizards there with his abilities to parallel what Jesus is
told to have done at age 12 when visiting the Jewish temple
in Jerusalem and discussing religious matters with the priests?
No, in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, he was initially
accused of having opened the chamber of secrets and
terrorizing everyone.  Was Jesus mistreated as a child and
made to live under a staircase as Harry was forced to do by
the Dursleys for the first 11 years of his life?  No.  Did Harry
ever walk on water as Jesus is reported to have done in the
new testament? No. Did Harry ever feed thousands with food
enough for one as Jesus is reported to have done with loaves
and fishes?  No. Did Harry ever use magic to raise anyone
from the dead to parallel stories of Jesus claiming that he
raised people from the dead?  No, but he clearly would have
done so given how much he missed his parents and godfather
who was killed by Bellatrix.  Does Harry ever give long speeches
about how wizards should live similar to how Jesus is
supposed to have preached to thousands?  No.  Did
Harry teach anyone how to pray as Jesus is said to
have done? No.  Was Harry crucified?  No.  Was Harry
made to wear a crown of thorns and declared to be
"king of the WW"?  No.  Did Jesus ever use his powers
to curse anyone or cause them physical pain as Harry
attempted to do when he attempted to use the cruciatous
curse?  No.  Was Jesus flawed, did he ever fall in love with
a girl or kiss a girl as Harry did?  No.  Was Jesus upset
throughout his formative years because his parents were
killed like Harry's?  No.

IMO, the differences between Harry and Jesus far outweigh
the similarities when it comes to comparing them beyond
those elements in common as described by "the hero's journey".
If people want to view Harry as being "Christ-like" or a
"Christ-figure", that is a personal choice.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]