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In this special SQPN Podcast Marathon episode of ‘The Secrets of Harry Potter’, Jim Beeghley, Fr. Roderick, and Lyn Francisco discuss the topic of forgiveness and redemption in the Harry Potter series.They were joined by special guest Denise Roper, author of The Lord of the Hallows: Christian Symbolism and Themes in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.
First, the redemption of Severus Snape was discussed. He had made one mistake with his childhood friend, Lily Evans, and his later actions indirectly led to Lily’s death. After having gone to Albus Dumbledore and promising to do everything he could to protect Lily’s son, Harry, Snape’s actions were dedicated towards atoning for that mistake. Lyn compared Snape during his death scene to Simeon in the temple from Luke 2:29-32. Simeon had seen in the child Jesus “the salvation… the light of revelation…” and declared that as a result, the Master (God) was ‘letting [His] servant go in peace”. Snape, as he was looking upon Harry’s eyes for the final time, was set free of his two masters (Dumbledore and Voldemort), turning over the final task of killing Voldemort to Harry, who himself can be seen as a Messianic figure.
Neville Longbottom was another character whose story of redemption resonated well with others. He was discounted as a “nearly Squib” until his Great Uncle Algie accidentally dropped him from a window, and Neville bounced. He went from a shy, underconfident boy to a self-assured young man, specialising in Herbology and one of the eventual heroes of the Hogwarts Final Battle. Fr. Roderick compared Neville to the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53: the servant would be battered and bruised, and people would not think very highly of him. It was a reference to a coming Messiah. He thinks Neville is more of a Messiah figure or archetype of a saviour than Harry is, mainly because of the suffering that Neville had endured, and his rising above it, redeeming himself through his actions leading up to, and during the Final Battle.
The redemption stories of Regulus Black and his house-elf, Kreacher, Sirius Black, Percy Weasley, and Dudley Dursley were discussed as well. Jim compared Percy Weasley’s reconciliation with his family to that of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
We love feedback! Please email your thoughts and ideas for future topics to harrypotter@sqpn.com
Also: Lyn will re-start the Canon Read-through soon. Watch the Secrets of Harry Potter Facebook page for details. And don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook!
Links:
Denise Roper’s book, The Lord of the Hallows: Christian Symbolism and Themes in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. It may be purchased at Amazon.com through the SQPN affiliate link on the SQPN homepage.
Panel participants on twitter:
Jim Beeghley: http://twitter.com/fifer1863
Father Roderick: http://twitter.com/fatherroderick
Lyn Francisco: http://twitter.com/lynfrancisco
Denise Roper: http://twitter.com/DeniseRoper
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mllp42 is discussing. 
Robert F. is discussing. 
mllp42 2:45 am on May 10, 2011 Permalink |
I think the FiendFyre takes the shape of a snake, it’s conjured by a Slytherin member, so that would make sense to me.nAlso, in the scene with Ginny running forward, I believe it’s Mr Weasley trying to grab her, and Ron and Hermione behind Neville. Kingsley, Mrs Weasley, and I think, Seamus are on the steps.nExcellent trailer, excellent commentary. I had to rewatch the trailer frame by frame afterward…I am going to try listening and watching at the same time next.nnKeep it up, am loving your show!!nnlouise – Edmonton, Canada