MAGICkal elITE - The Boy, The Man, The Hero, the Saint.

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 186439

I'm responding to both /No Limberger/ and to /Carol/, though I
probably won't make a distinction in my post.

To No Limberger (cool name), I agree with Carol that it is 
incorrect to make such direct comparisons between Harry and
Christ. Though, I will add that doing so in the context of your
post was valid. But, it establishes what we all seem to agree
on, that Harry is not literally or allegorically Christ.

Next to terminology, to say 'Christ Figure' in the context of
Harry, is too strong a statement for my taste, though I concede
it is mostly a shorthand or generalized comment when used in 
literary discussion. But to me it implies at least an allegorical
similarity. I think that is far too strong for Harry. 

Next is the term 'Christ-like', again frequently used as a 
generalization, but still to me it implies too strong of a 
parallel. 

So, the best I can say, is that there are subtle and symbolic
parallels in Harry's story, as there are in most Hero's stories.

Even though I am more of a spiritual person than a hard core
Christian, I'm still somewhat turned off by too strong an
implication in the use of 'Christ-like' or 'Christ-Figure',
while at the same time knowing that these are common 
generalizations used in literary discussion. 

So, my underlying points, especially for those who have strong
Christian leanings, is don't take these references to 'Christ'
too seriously. While far more accurate, saying 'a subtle and
symbolically literary Christ-like figure' is far more difficult
and tedious to write over and over again. 

That was the point I was trying to make to Geoff, to not take 
these 'Christ' references too literally or too seriously, they
are merely shorthand for much more subtle implication. 

I think from a literary perspective, it is amazing that JKR
could so thoroughly make Harry an 'everyman' in the most
classic and traditional sense, yet make him so noble and heroic
in the most extraordinary way. And we can't deny the themes of
symbolic and literal death and rebirth in the series. We also
can't deny the self-sacrifice aspect of the story. 

And in that, JKR has created a compelling character, one in 
which the littlest kid can see himself reflected, and yet in
a way that even adults can understand and identify with. 

In many discussions, people have complained at how imperfect
Harry was, he shouldn't have done this, he shouldn't have done
that, but I think that imperfection is the very thing we see
reflected in ourselves. Harry doesn't always know what to do
or what is right, so like us everyday people, he blunders and,
like us ordinary people, more often than not, he gets it right.

So, we know and love Harry (and friends) both because they
are 'everyman' and are also 'heroic'. In a sense, the stories
leave us feeling that if Harry can do it, if Ron can do it,
if Nevile can do, then so can we. I've read countless stories
of young kids who were inspired to do the right thing, to 
make better choices because of Harry and friends. 

Just as some people ask, What would Jesus do? Some also ask
themselves, What would Harry do? Harry is inspiration to do
the right and noble thing even if you are a flawed human
being. And that seems to be the same with Jesus, he doesn't 
expect us to be saints, but when the chips are down and it
really counts, he expects us to choose what is right over
what is easy. He expects us to aspire to heroic nobility. 

So, yes, there are valid parallels to be drawn between the
two, but, like many others, I feel uncomfortable with 
language that draws the parallels too literally, even if it
is only implied. 

Still, I stay my discomfort because I know a larger portion
of that comparative language is very generalized and not
meant to be taken literally.

Sorry for rambling on on such a tangential point.

Steve/bboyminn