Harry Potter movies and toys

Friday 11 February 2011

Harry Potter and the Quest for Values 31

Harry escapes death here and numerous attempts to kill him in preceding books. This
is best illustrated in the graveyard scene towards the end of GoF where he escapes from
Voldemort and the Death Eaters:
And then an unearthly and beautiful sound filled the air … it was coming from
every thread of the light-spun web vibrating around Harry and Voldemort. It was a
sound Harry recognised, though he had heard it only once before in his life …
phoenix song…
It was the sound of hope to Harry (GoF, p. 576).
In reference to Cherrett (2003) and Griesinger’s (2002) statements relating the hope in the
Harry Potter series to the hope offered by Christ it is important to note that the Phoenix itself
a recognised symbol of Christ (Becker, 1994, p. 232). Fawkes, the phoenix, does give hope
to Harry in other parts of the series. He helped Harry defeat the Basilisk in the Chamber of
Secrets by blinding the beast and providing a sword to Harry through the delivery of the
sorting Hat. Fawkes also saved him from the Basilisk’s deadly venom with his tears and
carried Harry, Ron, Ginny Weasley and Gilderoy Lockhart to safety (CoS, pp. 232-239).
The theme of hope is also important in the trail of Voldemort’s past victims who
appear to Harry when he struggles with Voldemort as they both try to eliminate the other
with magic. Many of these victims have a message of hope and encouragement for Harry:
‘Hold on, Harry,’ it said. . . .
‘You fight him, boy …” . . .
‘Don’t let go now!’ she cried, and her voice echoed like Cedric’s, as though
from very far away. ‘Don’t let him get you, Harry – don’t let go!’ . . .
‘Your father’s coming …’ she said quietly. ‘He wants to see you … it will be
all right … hold on ...’ (GoF, pp. 578-579).

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