SHP#36 – Looking At Death
Part 2 of our analysis of Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The Elder Wand, Harry and Voldemort: two attitudes towards death; the value of storytelling.Post your comments below, or send us an email: harrypotter [ a t. ] sqpn.com
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Thanks Father Roderick for another episode. I was just going to email you and ask when another one might be coming. It was a nice treat. Sincerely- Susan from Florida.
Thanks for another great episode, Father Roderick. I especially enjoyed the discussion of the Elder Wand and the Invisibility Cloak.
I am the author of the book “The Lord of the Hallows: Christian Symbolism and Themes in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.” The book has not been released yet, but is in the process of being published right now. You can visit my blog for updates on the book at phoenixweasley.wordpress.com. I think this book will be of interest to you and all of your listeners at SQPN.
The book presents a detailed discussion of the religious symbolism in the Harry Potter novels, symbolism which is derived from the Bible, the writings of the Early Church Fathers, Medieval and Renaissance Christian artwork, and Medieval bestiaries. The parallels between the Deathly Hallows and the Grail Hallows of Arthurian legend are also explained. In addition, the book presents an examination of the symbolic and philosphical similarities between Rowling’s works and that of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. Rowling’s and Tolkien’s views on the nature of evil, power of self-sacrificial love, and the important themes of death and immortality are also discussed.
I am a lecturer at the AZKATRAZ 2009 Harry Potter Symposium in San Francisco this summer. You can find out more about this event at http://www.hp2009.org.
I am really looking forward to the next episode of “The Secrets of Harry Potter.” Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Denise M. Roper
Thank you SOOO much. I haven’t listened yet, but I just downloaded and was so excited to see a new one. I was ready to give UP. Bless all of you! Leslie
Fr. Roderick,
Thank you for providing a podcast with insightful and enjoyable discussions about the Harry Potter series. I have begun listening to some of your other podcasts as well. Living in the Netherlands, I am sure you do not come to the states often, but should you ever have the opportunity, you should definitely consider attending a Harry Potter conference as a speaker. Infinitus is in the summer of 2010, and you (or any of your co-hosts) would be a wonderful addition to the programming.
Fr. Roderick
As a lover (and teacher) of literature, I have long enjoyed your discussions in the episodes of The Secrets of Harry Potter–really a strong academic understanding nicely balanced with down to earth humor combined with spiritual insight–without being narrowly pedantic.
But you really outdid yourself in episode 36. Your explanation of the arts, especially the verbal arts, as expressions of our essential, God-given nature, was very moving. It is no accident that we read, In the beginning was the Word. It is no accident that through that Word all other things come into being. In our own temporal, and even sin-filled lives, the same truth still lives.
Your explanation of how stories are true on multiple levels was inspiring–quite literally. And it came at a time when I had already decided it was time to pick up my pin and to tell my grandchildren who they really are and where they came from. Your words gave me more courage to take up the task.
Thank you
Thank You
Bert Dill
San Diego, California
I absolutely love listening to the podcasts. I download them from itunes and listen to them before bed. Any chance you will do any of the other books?
Fr. Roderick
Thank You so much for coming out with a new episode, I had just downloaded all of the previous episodes before this one, and could not wait to hear the next one. The Secrets of Harry Potter shone a new light on my favorite book series, and symbols of Catholicism. I just wanted to thank you and your panel members for being excellent in explaining the symbols and roots of objects in this series. Once again, thank you, and God Bless.
Adam R. Moreno
I am so glad that a new episode of SHP is now online.
When Father Roderick mentions that Voldemort does not know about the other 2 hallows, the cloak and stone. Now i dont know if this happens this chapter or later on but I recall reading that Voldemort knew about the 3 hallows but only the wand appeals to him. He has no need for the cloak or stone. He has no one to bring back with the stone. Due to Voldemort’s strength, he can become invisible without the aid of the cloak. He also believes that he doesnt need to unite the 3 hallows since he has his horcruxes and he is already a ‘Master of Death’.
Corey Northfield
Ventura, CA, USA
As usual, Fr. Roderick and his team delivers great quality. As I listened to this episode, and particularly to the discussions around the deeper meaning behind legends and old stories, I was reminded by an important view of J.R.R. Tolkien. He said that there is a crucial distinction between facts and truth, and that the latter is the more important. Tolkien said that he told truth through his fictional stories, by using words. God, however, tells the real world (the “Big story”, if you like) by using facts and events. So our fiction mirrors God creation, and hence Tolkien calls his works a “sub creation”. I think this holds true for Harry Potter too, and is made very clear in this final book, through the story about the Deathly Hallows.
Thank you so much for a great podcast. listening to this podcast helps me to argue with my christian friends who claim harry potter is evil without reading the books. I was wondering what you guys would talk about once you finish discussing the seventh book?
Where is the link to John Grangers article about the code names used by the broadcasters of “Potter watch?” You said you would post a link in the show notes. Love the show!
Hello, Fr.Roderick!!!
Thank you so much for another episode.
I live in South Korea so I am not good at English.
However, as I listen to these podcasts, I was able to enhance my English skills.
I hope I can listen to another episode and it would be so grateful if you mention my name in your podcasts!!
Thank you and wish your good health