Themes

While the books deal with difficult

issues such as violence and

death, and for this reason are not

always be suitable for preteen children...

...Rowling never loses sight of the

ultimate goal, which is

ultimately Christocentric if

not overtly Christian.

"My books are largely about death. They open with the death of Harry's parents. There is Voldemort's obsession with conquering death and his quest for

immortality at any price... I so understand why Voldemort wants to conquer death. We're all frightened of it." - J.K. Rowling

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

- 1 Corinthians 15:26, The Bible- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

DEATH

PREJUDICE

If you think this is far-fetched, look at some of the real charts the Nazis used to show what constituted 'Aryan' or 'Jewish' blood. I saw one in the

Holocaust Museum in Washington when I had already devised the 'pure-blood', 'half-blood' and 'Muggle-born' definitions, and was chilled to see that the Nazis used precisely the same warped logic as the Death Eaters. A single Jewish grandparent 'polluted' the

blood, according to their propaganda.

An understanding of history helps us

learn from our mistakes. We can learn not to repeat

the mistakes of the past through

this story.

Chatroom conversations

show that readers have taken to using

the term “Muggle” as an

insult.

LOVE AND SACRIFICE

Love is almost always linked to sacrifice in the novel. All people want to do the loving thing.

This novel could encourage teenager to

make drastic and dangerous sacrifices for

love.

“Harry's own ability to love and be loved are the key traits that distinguish him from

Voldemort and ensure that Harry will never be seduced by the Dark Arts.”

It was Harry’s mother’s love for him that saved

him from Voldemort’s curse. The book argues

that love is stronger than any

other power.

MAGIC

Magic is an essential part of childhood and innocence. It

belongs to a world where anything is

possible.

Harry Potter encourages

teens to engage in real and dangerous

occult activities.

“It is the magic that begins the happily ever after."

“Teen-agers who have read Harry Potter books or have seen the Harry Potter movie

were more likely to have experimented with psychic or occult activities than those

teens who had not.”

Plots

Harry Potter is always breaking

the rules. He does not respect authority and is a bad role model

for teens.

Ron and Harry steal Mr. Weasley’s car

Harry and Hermione break school rules to time-travel and save Buckbeak.

It is important to teach teenagers to

think for themselves and to think creatively. We should not

discourage these values in readers.

Harry has to die in order to end the battle between good and evil and save his friends from Voldemort.

Rowling mixes Pagan and

Christian symbols throughout the book, confusing young readers

about the difference

between good and evil.

Harry Potter is a Christian allegory that can be used

to inspire discussion in

Christian education.

characters

settings

FRIENDSHIP

The friendships in Harry Potter

promote positive values such as

dedication, understanding, empathy and

teamwork.

The main activity that Harry and his friends engage in together is

rebellion. Such an example will

encourage teens who read this book to break

the rules.

"Lord Voldemort has never had a

friend, nor do I believe that he has

ever wanted one." - Harry Potter

and the Half-Blood Prince

"Books! And cleverness! There are

more important things – friendship and

bravery and – oh Harry – be careful!" -

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s

Stone