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SHP076: Is Harry Potter a Christ/Messianic Figure?
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SHP076: Is Harry Potter as a Christ/Messianic Figure?
Can Harry Potter be seen as a Christ or Messianic figure? Listen as Jim, Ari, Denise, and Lyn debate this issue. We also listen to and read your feedback.
Some links discussed during the show:
Update on Berry and Porridge, the German shepherds put up for adoption.
Episode 29, where Fr. Roderick and Maria Johnson discussed the inscriptions on the tombstones of the graveyard at Godric’s Hollow.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on Blu-ray and DVD, released November 11, 2011.
Sponsor an episode of Secrets of Harry Potter! You can support the production by sponsoring one or more episodes. Click here to find out how. Thank you for your support!
Our Picks of the Week
Ariadna: There was a quote that we learned later was misattributed to Alan Rickman: “When I’m 80 years old and sitting in my rocking chair, I’ll be reading Harry Potter. And my family will say to me, ‘After all this time?’ And I will say, ‘Always.’” Click here to read how this quote came to be attributed to Rickman.
Denise: On the Trail of Harry Potter by Vera G. Lee. Get it through the Amazon link on the SQPN homepage.
Jim: Repotting Harry Potter: A Professor’s Book-by-Book Guide for the Serious Re-Reader by James W. Thomas
Lyn: borrowed a previous Pick of the Week since she just bought the book: Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey by Bob McCabe.
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Annette Mueller, 
Robert F. and 2 others are discussing.
Kyle 8:12 pm on November 14, 2011 Permalink |
Liked Ari’s pick, although the attribution is urban legend. Can see how it could/should have been said by Alan Rickman, since it’s an allusion to the exchange between Snape and Dumbledore about Snape’s Patronus being the doe. Very nice.
Lyn Francisco 3:16 pm on November 17, 2011 Permalink |
Hi, Kyle, thanks for writing. I had reposted it to my Facebook page, and then a friend pointed out it may have been misattributed. Digging a bit revealed that to be true. I don’t think it takes away from the awesomeness that is Alan Rickman, though. The fan who originally said it really did express it well, though. I know I will be enjoying the Potter books and films for many years to come.
Robert F. 10:53 pm on December 12, 2011 Permalink |
Movie/book contrast is is a good idea, Some of the movie-isms work better and vice-verse.
Who needs Hogwarts: See these stunning images esp. 3, 4, and 9:
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/the-week-i-cheated-on-oktoberfest_topic82555_post959836.html#959836
Harry Potter is fiction: Any resemblance to characters portrayed to any persons living or dead etc., etc., etc…
Annette Mueller 4:20 pm on February 17, 2012 Permalink |
I found this podcast rather late so have been listening like crazy. The scholarship is wonderful and I enjoy the rapport between panelists. Just to put in my thoughts, I find as was mentioned in the show that several characters have Messianic qualities, not just Harry. I think that this is good, too much emphasis on Harry’s Messianic qualities would, as mentioned in the show, only fuel detractors. Spreading these characteristics around among different characters makes the story more realistic. These characters then, at their best, point to Christ but can never be mistaken as a replacement. I was really glad that JKR made a point throughout the whole series to mention over and over that even in the wizarding world no one comes back from the dead, no matter what. That deference is, of course, not accidental and points to the One who did truly conquer death.
Keep up the great work! Thank you so much for this great podcast!
Lyn F. 6:12 pm on February 20, 2012 Permalink |
Thanks so much for your comments, Annette, and thanks so much for your support! We really appreciate it. x