Transcendence of death in the Harry Potter series of books and films

I have often thought that the Harry Potter books and films are much more than fantasy and children’s literature. Yes, it is based on an imaginary world and children are its central character(s). But the philosophies contained in them are profound. The antagonist of the story tries to conquer death. And if one reads the books keeping this theme in mind, one may find it rewarding.

The central argument in this respect is that those who try to save their lives lose it and those who are prepared to lose it, for the sake of others, save themselves. There are many instances in the film that point to this argument. The film features a Resurrection Stone which can bring back dear ones from the dead. The central character Harry Potter gets possession of this stone inside a snitch containing the engraving ‘I open at the close’. The snitch opens up and reveals the stone only after Harry decides that he is going to sacrifice his life to stop the dark lord Voldemort. Harry, however, leaves the stone behind and walks up to his enemy ready to face his death. He survives the attack suggesting that those who are prepared to lose their life will find redemption. He is not the only character in the story who is ready to confront death to save others. An important character Albus Dumbledore the Hogwarts’ headmaster also does the same—as do a few other characters including Severus Snape, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. What’s important to note is that they are fully aware of their actions and understand that fulfillment of life is not in living long but in living for a cause.

Death is not the greatest tragedy in the Potter series of books and films—but the absence of love.

Dumbledore says, “Do not pity the dead, pity those who live, especially those who live without love.” It is the act of Lily Potter sacrificing her life for Harry which protects him from death at the hands of Voldemort. Dumbledore explains to Harry that it is this love that protects Harry whenever Voldemort tries to kill him. So, does love help one conquer the notion of death? Severus Snape is able to love Lily Potter after her marriage with James Potter and even after her death. His love is not affected by the fact that she does not return his love. Even after her death, without telling anybody, he continues to protect her son born of James Potter. Snape provides the picture of a person whose love surpasses death. The reality of death is challenged by the presence of love in the Harry Potter series. Many of the characters including Neville Longbottom point to the fact that those who die for love or for a good cause remain alive in the hearts of others—that love helps one transcend death.

Now let us look at the antagonist—a man born in a relationship where there was no love between the parents. Although it will be a great crime to say that all people who are born in this manner are incapable of loving, the series presents the character Voldemort as a person who is incapable of understanding and enjoying love, affection and similar emotions. All that matter to him are power and immortality. He wishes to be invincible.  In his search for immortality he learns about Horcruxes.

Horcruxes are objects into which one can transfer pieces of one’s soul. Voldemort learns from Horace Slughorn, a teacher at Hogwarts School, that the soul is split into pieces by violating the order of nature and committing murder. Thus, Voldemort seeks immortality by taking the life of others whereas some of the other characters find that immortality can be achieved by sacrificing one’s life for others and accepting the notion of death. The fact that Harry gives up the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand (the most powerful wand in the world) tells us that he gives up the notions of eternal life on earth and ultimate power. 

Although all of these things happen in the imaginary world created by Rowling, one may argue that they hold true even in the real world. Here’s an example: a plant is born when the seed decays. As the plant cannot be seen as an entity separate from the seed from which it grew, we can say that the death of the seed leads to its resurrection as a plant. Something to think about? 

The Harry Potter series of books and films certainly offer us something more than entertainment—and the above mentioned theory contributes to the evergrowing popularity of the series.

This essay was contributed by: Justin Philip Cherian | Dept. of English | Marian College, Kuttikkanam 

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