harry potter and witchcraft
TRANSCRIPT
Folk Tale Elements in Harry Potter
•Folk Groups
•Rites of Passage
•Food
•Reversals to Reinforce Social Norms
Vladimir Propp and Harry Potter
•Propp outlines 31 Story Functions/Actions in Russian Magical Tales
•Seven Principle Players
1. Villain
2. Donor
3. Helper
4. Girl
5. Dispatcher
6. Hero
7. False Hero
Harry Potter as Archetypal Hero
1. The boy is the son of royal or even immortal parents
2. Difficulties precede the conception, and in some cases the mother is a virgin
3. The child’s life is threatened when dream or oracle warns the father or another royal personage that the boy will be in danger
4. The boy is separated from his parents
5. The boy is exposed, often in a basket or other receptacle
6. The boy is put into water, either to kill or save him
7. The child is rescued by animals or underlings, often shepherds
8. The baby is suckled or reared by animals or lowly persons
9. The hero is eventually recognized as such, often because of a mark or wound
10.The hero is reconciled with his father (or his representative), or he exacts revenge upon his father
Basic Story Structure
Godric Gryffindor
Albus Dumbledore
James and Lily Potter
Harry Potter
Versus
Draco Malfoy
Lucius Malfoy
Lord Voldemort
Salazar Slytherin
Names
Albus Dumbledore: white, glorious, resplendent
Voldemort: flight from death
Malfoy: bad faith (Lucius/Lucifer and Draco/Dragon or Serpent)
Potter: Metaphor for God