Love and Death

     " Theme of Love and Death in Harry Potter"

Love and death are major themes in J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter books. She herself has said in a recent interview in recent interview in The Tatler magazine that “My books are largely about death.” And in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, one of J.K. Rowling’s chosen spokespersons, Professor Dumbledore, impresses upon Harry that his “ability to love” is “[t]he only protection that can possibly work against the lure of power like Voldemort’s.” (Spilsbury)

At the very beginning of the story we hear that Harry’s parents have died, and in due course both we and Harry learn that they were murdered. The shadow of death hangs over Harry; he learns that he, too, was intended to be a victim, but spared in a way no-one can explain. He narrowly escapes death again at the close of the first two books (The Philosopher’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets), and the third (The Prisoner of Azkaban) is concerned with his pursuit by an escaped murderer. At the end of the fourth book (The Goblet of Fire), a school-friend is killed before his eyes, and he himself barely escapes again. In the fifth book (The Order of the Phoenix) he loses his newly regained godfather, and in the sixth (The Half-Blood Prince) even his great and seemingly indestructible mentor, Dumbledore. Yes, death is a constant visitor to Harry’s world.

There is a telling exchange between Voldemort and Dumbledore in The Order of the Phoenix:

“You do not seek to kill me, Dumbledore?” called Voldemort. . . . “Above such brutality, are you?”

“We both know that there are other ways of destroying a man, Tom,” Dumbledore said calmly . . ..  “Merely taking your life would not satisfy me, I admit— “

“There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!” snarled Voldemort.

“You are quite wrong,” said Dumbledore . . . . “Indeed, your failure to understand that there are things much worse than death has always been your greatest weakness.”

What is worse than death is the denial or betrayal of love. This brings us to the second major theme. Several kinds of human love are depicted in the books—the love of parents for children, of husbands and wives, and of those who will marry one day, the love of friends. Rowling depicts human love with insight, wit and affection. The growing attraction between Ron and Hermione is one of the principal sub-plots of the series. Any of these may require the supreme sacrifice. Harry always protected by the love of mother.  (Killinger)

"... to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever."

                                                                                                          —Dumbledore's description of love.

Love always plays a notable part in helping to tip the favour in the side of good. It was Severus Snape’s love for Lily which redeemed him. Narcissa Malfoy’s love for her son led her to lie to Voldemort about Harry’s death, saving his life and giving him the chance to defeat Voldemort. Harry’s ability to love and be loved is a defining difference between him and Voldemort. Harry builds up friendships, a support system of friends that Voldemort could never hope to match. (Themes from Harry Potter)

Works Cited

Killinger, John. Love, Death, and Friendship in the Harry Potter Novels. 16 February 2018 <https://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/61116.pdf>.

Spilsbury, Paul. Love and Death in Harry Potter. 3 April 2006. 16 February 2018 <https://www.hp-lexicon.org/2006/04/03/love-and-death-in-harry-potter/>.

Themes from Harry Potter. 16 February 2018 <http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Themes_from_Harry_Potter>.