The Harry Potter books have become beloved by individuals worldwide. The magical world parallels hardships that all of us experience and teaches us valuable lessons on friendship, bereavement, tolerance and, bravery.
People are complicated
Fairy tales teach children that the world is only split into good and bad people. The Harry Potter series, however, fleshes out her characters by giving them multi-faceted personalities and changeable temperaments. Take Harry: loyal, brave, kind, yet has moments of selfish impulsivity and hot-temperedness. Ron, for all his likeable everyman traits has, as Hermione puts it, ‘the emotional range of a teaspoon.’ Even Hermione’s fierce intelligence can occasionally seem bossy and overpowering. Yet, we love every flaw in our favourite Potter characters. If learning that no one is perfect isn’t a good life lesson for young people, than what is?
Tolerance is important
Rowling teaches us many forms of tolerance in the Harry Potter series. Firstly, towards things we fear or do not understand. The Dursleys fear magic; characterised as narrow minded and cruel, ignorant of the wonderful and awe-inspiring aspects of the wizarding world. Secondly, the novels teach acceptance towards those with infirmities or disabilities. Professor Lupin is unfairly victimised by society because of his lycanthropy, yet his school friends learn to become Animagi to keep Lupin company during his painful and lonely transformations. Finally, readers can learn the dangers of prejudice towards other races. House Elves are enslaved and made inferior by wizards despite their superior magic. Most importantly, all of the tragic events in the novels stem from Voldemort’s desire to create a ‘master race’ of pure blood wizards, with clear parallels to Hitler’s own evil designs.
“Love and care for other people”, says Rowling, “otherwise you are no better than Voldemort himself.”
Death is hard but life will get better
Studies have shown that the Potter novels can help people cope with grief. They are even used during bereavement counselling. JK Rowling lost her mother shortly after starting the series, so death features heavily in the novels. Harry Potter, for example, never knew his parents, but still feels their loss throughout the novels. Their memory motivates everything he does. However, when Harry obsessively revisits the Mirror of Erised to see his parents, Dumbledore teaches him the importance of continuing with life after death.
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
Bravery can come in different forms
If told to think of a brave character in the Harry Potter series, most people will probably name Harry himself. However, so many other Potter characters exhibit other forms of bravery.
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- Neville – prevented Harry, Ron, and Hermione from breaking school rules in The Philosopher’s Stone and was awarded ten House Points by Dumbledore. ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.’
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- Hermione – who puts her hand up in class despite mockery from friends and teachers.
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- Draco – who lies to his father in the final book about Harry’s true identity.
- Snape – risked his life as a spy for Dumbledore and is branded a traitor by the wizarding community
Rowling therefore teaches us that bravery doesn’t have to be grand heroism, but also small, everyday acts of love and doing what is right.
True friendship is invaluable
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are arguably the most famous friends in literary history. Throughout the novels their friendship is tested but always survives, stronger than ever. Together, the trio face a three headed dog, a giant snake, an escaped convict, a werewolf, a murderous tree, soul sucking creatures, dragons, trolls and, of course, Voldemort himself. Not only must they battle with the terrifying aspects of the wizarding world, but also the terrifying aspects of being a teenager: relationship problems, family issues, jealously, petty spats, teachers, exams, and growing up.
Yet through it all we learn the most important lesson: don’t take your friends for granted because they will be there through anything life throws at you.
Written by Florianne H.