1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone & Archetypes
By: Denise Hunter
Student Assignment

2. Harry Potter: a hero’s journey
Background… Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. (Harry Potter, 2010)

3. Harry Potter: a hero’s journey
Background continued… The main plot concerns Harry's quandary against the evil wizard, Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents in his quest to conquer the wizarding world and oppress non-magical people. (Harry Potter, 2010)

4. The Hero Archetype characteristics
Unusual circumstances of birth; sometimes in danger
Leaves family or land and lives with others
An event, sometimes traumatic, leads to adventure or quest
Hero has a special weapon only he can wield
Hero always has supernatural help
Hero must prove himself many times while on an adventure
The Journey and Unhealable Wound

5. The Hero: Harry Potter
What kind of hero is Harry Potter according to Carol Pearson, PhD?
The Warrior
Gift/Virtue: Courage, discipline
Examples: flying, explores threats, fights a troll, defeating Professor Quirrell
Video: Harry, the young protagonist

6. The Wise Old Man Archetype characteristics
Usually a profound philosopher
Distinguished for wisdom and sound judgment
Characters usually have beards
Kind and wise
Offers guidance that in a mystical way may impress upon someone a sense of who they are, thereby acting as a mentor
May appear as an absent-minded professor

7. The Wise Old Man: Albus Dumbledore
Widely known as being wise, yet odd.
Chocolate frog card describes him as being “the greatest wizard of modern times” and indicates that he “enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.” (Rowling, 1997)
Does not fear death, and claims that choosing money and life are precisely the things that are worse for humans (Rowling, 1997).
Cautions Harry to always use the proper name for Lord Voldemort, as “fear of a name increases fear of a thing itself” (Rowling, 1997).
Video: Dumbledore provides answers

8. The Devil Archetype characteristics
Forces within and outside of us of war against the power of positive life and change
Enormous resistance to the very experiences or insights that would lead to healing
Struggle with and fear of ones own natural drives

9. The Devil: Lord Voldemort
Main antagonist and archenemy of Harry Potter
He is so feared that no one dares to say his name, known as “He Who Must Not Be Named” (Rowling, 1997)
Killed Harry’s parents, and many other wizards and muggles (non-magical people)
Video: Voldemort’s purpose is to murder

10. The Best Friend Archetype characteristics
Driven by loyalty and a need for harmony
Can always be counted on
Usually provides comic relief
Ready to lend a hand, yet may fail to realize that he or she needs to take the lead
Stable, supportive, tolerant
Chief flaw: being too compliant or unassertive

11. The Best Friend: Ron Weasley
Harry’s first friend when they meet on the Hogwarts Express (Rowling, 1997)
Ron is selected to be a Gryffindor (like Harry) because they are both brave at heart, with daring, nerve and loyalty (Rowling, 1997)
Ron agrees to be Harry’s “second” when Draco Malfoy challenges Harry to a wizard’s duel (Rowling, 1997)
Ron joins Harry on the attack against a troll
Video: Ron sacrifices himself so Harry can move on to save the Sorcerer’s Stone

12. Resources
Crisp, T. (2002). Dream Dictionary. Retrieved April 9, 2010 from Davis, B. M. (1997). The Archetypal Hero in Literature, Religion, Movies, and Popular Culture. Retrieved March 20, 2010 from Directory Journal. (2008, November 28). Ten of the Most Controversial Books. Retrieved April 9, 2010 from Evans, A. (2003). Discovering the Archetypes of “Harry Potter.” Opinion Papers, 120, Harry Potter. (2010). Retrieved April 9, 2010 from Rowling, J.K. (2001). J.K. Rowling Official Site. Retrieved April 9, 2010 from Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. New York: Scholastic Press.