The Harry Potter narratives take place predominantly within a school setting, which
is a social setting, so friendships and other relationships are key themes in the book and the
qualities of these relationships, which are personal qualities, are aptly illustrated throughout
the series. Friendship derives from the word “friend” meaning “a person with whom one
enjoys mutual affection and regard (usu. exclusive of sexual or family bonds), (The Oxford
reference dictionary, Hawkins, 1986, p. 321). In particular, friendship qualities include
kindness to one’s friends and making sacrifices for your friends, which have been previously
mentioned. Many critics made mention regarding aspects of friendship in the books
especially the friendship of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
Mendlesohn (2002) looks at the way friendship with members of the social hierarchy
has an effect on one’s acceptance in Hogwarts. She sees Hermione and Ron’s acceptance at
Hogwarts as almost totally dependent on Harry’s friendship towards them (p. 174) and
Crabbe and Goyle are also accepted only because of their friendship with Draco Malfoy (pp.
173-174). Therefore Rowling’s depiction of friendship is limited. Mendlesohn views Ron,
Hermione, Crabbe and Goyle as courtiers to the princely Harry and Draco (pp. 173-174).
Mendlesohn’s remarks on friendship are limited because she centres her statements
specifically on this aspect of friendship rather than the personal qualities that the friendships
in the books illustrate.
Beck (2001) cites the re-occurring theme of friendship in the books. She finds this
theme worthwhile for religious educators because Harry, Ron and Hermione’s friendship
grows as the years go on but their friendship also illustrates that other people move in and out
of such friendship groups and that other things happen in friendships: “As with all
relationships, there are times when the friendships falter, people are misunderstood and
doubted and for a time the friendship doesn’t exist” (p. 53). The rocky parts of friendships, as
illustrated by Ron, Harry and Hermione’s friendship, are also commented on by other critics.
Furst and Heilman (2001, pp. 142-145) and Neal (2001, pp. 81-82) view the friendships
illustrated in these books as useful starting points for discussing friendships with children. In
friendships, children will go through many emotions and call on their own personal qualities
as well as experience the personal qualities of others. These include qualities of selflessness,
kindness, fairness, tolerance, respect, loyalty, self-discipline, compassion, trust, honesty,
courage and mercy.
As previously stated, Kern (2003) mentions the importance of friendships in
relationship to Kohlberg’s model on moral decision-making (pp. 123-124). Kern views
aspects and actions such as friendships and kindness as representative of “attempts to make
society function smoothly through loyalty, sensitivity, and respect - all virtues pointing
toward the conventional level of moral reasoning” (p. 124). Plyming (2001) also stresses the
importance of friendships in the Harry Potter series because they illustrate that people can
only be their true selves through how they live with others (pp. 18-19). This view stresses the
importance of community involvement, which enables a Christian to live their faith. Neal
(2002), a Christian critic, also remarks on the importance of friendship (pp. 81-82) because
one’s friends influence one’s character development.
Granger takes a more symbolic view of the friendships exhibited in the Harry Potter
series. He sees the friendship of Harry, Ron and Hermione, and the abilities, qualities and talents that each contributes to the friendship, as symbolising the human soul’s three faculties
or powers, which Plato wrote about (Granger, 2002, pp. 114-122, Granger, 2004, pp. 87-91).
The friends represent our own soul and we can learn the importance of how our soul should
work by considering the actions of Ron, Hermione and Harry. Ron symbolises the Body,
Hermione the Mind and Harry the Spirit (Granger, 2002, pp. 115-119, Granger, 2004, pp. 88-
91). The combined actions of these three friends are symbolic of our own actions. When
Harry, Hermione and Ron work in unison by permitting the Mind and Body to be subservient
to the Heart then there is success. However, if this order is turned upside down then there are
problems (Granger, 2002, p. 120, Granger, 2004, pp. 90-91).
Harry also has a strong relationship with Albus Dumbledore for much of the series
and, as with most relationships, this one has its ups and downs but we generally see Harry
showing trust in loyalty to the older man. Cherrett (2003) refers to Harry’s personal
relationship with Dumbledore as being similar to a person’s relationship with Jesus
Christ/God (p. 48). In times of personal loss people often feel antagonism towards God and
this same antagonism is reflected in the temporary breakdown in Harry and Dumbledore’s
relationship when Harry wishes harm to the older wizard towards the end of OoP after the
death of Sirius Black, (p. 726). Neal (2002) focuses on the importance of trusting one another
so that God’s will can be done (pp. 151-152). She illustrates her point by referring to
Dumbledore’s comments to Severus Snape and Sirius Black to lay aside their old differences,
which began when they were students at Hogwarts, and unite so that through trust they can
help overcome Lord Voldemort (GoF, p. 618).
Many critics discuss specific aspects of Harry’s friendships because they illustrate
what sort of person Harry is and what personal qualities are needed to maintain relationships.
Students also found examples of friendship in the book and the qualities that are needed to
maintain friendships in any relationship. In Focus Group remarks students felt that there was friendship shown in the series (Appendix 8: Focus Group responses, p. 6). They specifically
mentioned the friendship between Hermione, Ron, Hagrid and Harry, between Malfoy,
Crabbe and Goyle and between Hagrid and Dumbledore (p. 6). Students also mentioned
personal qualities that they found in the books, which are qualities linked to maintaining a
healthy friendship. These included kindness, loyalty, treating people equally, honesty,
selflessness, being interested in others, friendliness, thoughtfulness (Appendix 7: Student
Interview responses, pp. 4-5). To the specific question of, “What did you learn about
friendship from the books?” (Appendix 7: Student Interview responses, p. 10), students
responded with these opinions:
• Stick by your friends
• Nothing new
• If a disagreement happens don’t let it end the friendship
• Friendship can grow through/with unexpected people
• To value friendship more highly than previously
• Be loyal
• To make new friends you should really get to know them first
• Mixed friendships can occur
• Stick by your friends providing they are of good character
• Help each other
• Be nice
• Trust your friends
• Respect each other
• Look deeper into people’s emotions, actions, etc to judge whether they are
true friends
• True friendship is life long even if separated by distance
Friendships grow through challenges.
Courage is another personal quality in the Harry Potter series that is recognised by
critics. Killinger (2002) makes particular mention of the courage of Harry Potter, particularly
in his Quidditch matches (p. 73). He relates this type of courage to Christ’s courage in dying
on the cross, “It is the kind of courage that leads people forward despite powerful opposition
- even to a cross!” (p. 74). Other critics make mention of our own personal need to show
courage, as reflected in the character of Harry, if we are to overcome our own fears. Cherrett
(2003) states: “fears increase when we try to sweep them under the carpet…” (p. 23), hence
the Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson on defeating the boggarts in PoA (pp. 100-106).
She contends that we need to show courage if we are to confront the wrongs in the world
(p. 74, p. 87) and that the Harry Potter series demonstrates the type of courage needed as
shown through Harry and other characters (p. 80).
Neal (2002) also recognises the importance of courage to overcome evil, which is
shown in PS (p. 5). Courage means to show ”readiness to face and endure danger or
difficulty” (The Oxford reference dictionary, Hawkins, 1986, p. 194). Lavoie (2003) also
notes the importance of Harry’s house, Gryffindor, valuing courage above all else (p. 38).
The Sorting Hat song states:
“ You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart; . . . . (PS, p. 88)
is a social setting, so friendships and other relationships are key themes in the book and the
qualities of these relationships, which are personal qualities, are aptly illustrated throughout
the series. Friendship derives from the word “friend” meaning “a person with whom one
enjoys mutual affection and regard (usu. exclusive of sexual or family bonds), (The Oxford
reference dictionary, Hawkins, 1986, p. 321). In particular, friendship qualities include
kindness to one’s friends and making sacrifices for your friends, which have been previously
mentioned. Many critics made mention regarding aspects of friendship in the books
especially the friendship of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
Mendlesohn (2002) looks at the way friendship with members of the social hierarchy
has an effect on one’s acceptance in Hogwarts. She sees Hermione and Ron’s acceptance at
Hogwarts as almost totally dependent on Harry’s friendship towards them (p. 174) and
Crabbe and Goyle are also accepted only because of their friendship with Draco Malfoy (pp.
173-174). Therefore Rowling’s depiction of friendship is limited. Mendlesohn views Ron,
Hermione, Crabbe and Goyle as courtiers to the princely Harry and Draco (pp. 173-174).
Mendlesohn’s remarks on friendship are limited because she centres her statements
specifically on this aspect of friendship rather than the personal qualities that the friendships
in the books illustrate.
Beck (2001) cites the re-occurring theme of friendship in the books. She finds this
theme worthwhile for religious educators because Harry, Ron and Hermione’s friendship
grows as the years go on but their friendship also illustrates that other people move in and out
of such friendship groups and that other things happen in friendships: “As with all
relationships, there are times when the friendships falter, people are misunderstood and
doubted and for a time the friendship doesn’t exist” (p. 53). The rocky parts of friendships, as
illustrated by Ron, Harry and Hermione’s friendship, are also commented on by other critics.
Furst and Heilman (2001, pp. 142-145) and Neal (2001, pp. 81-82) view the friendships
illustrated in these books as useful starting points for discussing friendships with children. In
friendships, children will go through many emotions and call on their own personal qualities
as well as experience the personal qualities of others. These include qualities of selflessness,
kindness, fairness, tolerance, respect, loyalty, self-discipline, compassion, trust, honesty,
courage and mercy.
As previously stated, Kern (2003) mentions the importance of friendships in
relationship to Kohlberg’s model on moral decision-making (pp. 123-124). Kern views
aspects and actions such as friendships and kindness as representative of “attempts to make
society function smoothly through loyalty, sensitivity, and respect - all virtues pointing
toward the conventional level of moral reasoning” (p. 124). Plyming (2001) also stresses the
importance of friendships in the Harry Potter series because they illustrate that people can
only be their true selves through how they live with others (pp. 18-19). This view stresses the
importance of community involvement, which enables a Christian to live their faith. Neal
(2002), a Christian critic, also remarks on the importance of friendship (pp. 81-82) because
one’s friends influence one’s character development.
Granger takes a more symbolic view of the friendships exhibited in the Harry Potter
series. He sees the friendship of Harry, Ron and Hermione, and the abilities, qualities and talents that each contributes to the friendship, as symbolising the human soul’s three faculties
or powers, which Plato wrote about (Granger, 2002, pp. 114-122, Granger, 2004, pp. 87-91).
The friends represent our own soul and we can learn the importance of how our soul should
work by considering the actions of Ron, Hermione and Harry. Ron symbolises the Body,
Hermione the Mind and Harry the Spirit (Granger, 2002, pp. 115-119, Granger, 2004, pp. 88-
91). The combined actions of these three friends are symbolic of our own actions. When
Harry, Hermione and Ron work in unison by permitting the Mind and Body to be subservient
to the Heart then there is success. However, if this order is turned upside down then there are
problems (Granger, 2002, p. 120, Granger, 2004, pp. 90-91).
Harry also has a strong relationship with Albus Dumbledore for much of the series
and, as with most relationships, this one has its ups and downs but we generally see Harry
showing trust in loyalty to the older man. Cherrett (2003) refers to Harry’s personal
relationship with Dumbledore as being similar to a person’s relationship with Jesus
Christ/God (p. 48). In times of personal loss people often feel antagonism towards God and
this same antagonism is reflected in the temporary breakdown in Harry and Dumbledore’s
relationship when Harry wishes harm to the older wizard towards the end of OoP after the
death of Sirius Black, (p. 726). Neal (2002) focuses on the importance of trusting one another
so that God’s will can be done (pp. 151-152). She illustrates her point by referring to
Dumbledore’s comments to Severus Snape and Sirius Black to lay aside their old differences,
which began when they were students at Hogwarts, and unite so that through trust they can
help overcome Lord Voldemort (GoF, p. 618).
Many critics discuss specific aspects of Harry’s friendships because they illustrate
what sort of person Harry is and what personal qualities are needed to maintain relationships.
Students also found examples of friendship in the book and the qualities that are needed to
maintain friendships in any relationship. In Focus Group remarks students felt that there was friendship shown in the series (Appendix 8: Focus Group responses, p. 6). They specifically
mentioned the friendship between Hermione, Ron, Hagrid and Harry, between Malfoy,
Crabbe and Goyle and between Hagrid and Dumbledore (p. 6). Students also mentioned
personal qualities that they found in the books, which are qualities linked to maintaining a
healthy friendship. These included kindness, loyalty, treating people equally, honesty,
selflessness, being interested in others, friendliness, thoughtfulness (Appendix 7: Student
Interview responses, pp. 4-5). To the specific question of, “What did you learn about
friendship from the books?” (Appendix 7: Student Interview responses, p. 10), students
responded with these opinions:
• Stick by your friends
• Nothing new
• If a disagreement happens don’t let it end the friendship
• Friendship can grow through/with unexpected people
• To value friendship more highly than previously
• Be loyal
• To make new friends you should really get to know them first
• Mixed friendships can occur
• Stick by your friends providing they are of good character
• Help each other
• Be nice
• Trust your friends
• Respect each other
• Look deeper into people’s emotions, actions, etc to judge whether they are
true friends
• True friendship is life long even if separated by distance
Friendships grow through challenges.
Courage is another personal quality in the Harry Potter series that is recognised by
critics. Killinger (2002) makes particular mention of the courage of Harry Potter, particularly
in his Quidditch matches (p. 73). He relates this type of courage to Christ’s courage in dying
on the cross, “It is the kind of courage that leads people forward despite powerful opposition
- even to a cross!” (p. 74). Other critics make mention of our own personal need to show
courage, as reflected in the character of Harry, if we are to overcome our own fears. Cherrett
(2003) states: “fears increase when we try to sweep them under the carpet…” (p. 23), hence
the Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson on defeating the boggarts in PoA (pp. 100-106).
She contends that we need to show courage if we are to confront the wrongs in the world
(p. 74, p. 87) and that the Harry Potter series demonstrates the type of courage needed as
shown through Harry and other characters (p. 80).
Neal (2002) also recognises the importance of courage to overcome evil, which is
shown in PS (p. 5). Courage means to show ”readiness to face and endure danger or
difficulty” (The Oxford reference dictionary, Hawkins, 1986, p. 194). Lavoie (2003) also
notes the importance of Harry’s house, Gryffindor, valuing courage above all else (p. 38).
The Sorting Hat song states:
“ You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart; . . . . (PS, p. 88)
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