A Critical Discussion on Magic in the Harry Potter Novels

This essay critically examines the portrayal of magic in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, exploring its various facets and significance within the narrative. It delves into the different forms of magic presented, from spells and potions to magical creatures and games like Quidditch. The essay further analyzes the relationship between the magical elements and Christian themes, referencing biblical narratives and interpretations. It discusses arguments for and against the compatibility of Harry Potter with Christian beliefs, considering the themes of good versus evil, self-sacrifice, and the use of magic. The essay also addresses criticisms regarding the depiction of witchcraft and the potential influence of the series on young readers. Ultimately, it provides a comprehensive overview of the complex interplay between magic, Christianity, and the overall themes of the Harry Potter series, drawing conclusions based on the arguments presented.

Critically discuss the
portrayal of magic in
Harry Potter

Harry Potter have been the most popular story among children and youngsters which is
effectively written by famous novel writer, J.K. Rowling. It is a fantasized novel that is
considered as a cornerstones of modern and young adult literature. It is a series of many genres,
such as, drama, fantasy, mystery, thriller, adventure, horror and romance. One thing that was
common in all the parts of harry potter series is magic and power (Duyndam, Korte and
Poorthuis, 2016). Some researchers claim that the adoption of magic and miracles in the story
have been derived from bible and other narratives from Christianity. The essay helps in
understanding different shades of magic that have been presented in the story. Further, a critical
analysis of its relationship with Christianity theories will also be presented in the essay.
Harry potter is a series of novel being written by the author J.K. Rowling. It has been able
to get immense popularity, critically acclaimed and received high commercial success
worldwide. The story revolves around the life of young wizard, named, Harry Potter and his
friends named, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, who all are the students of Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main plot of the story is related to the struggle of Harry
Potter against Lord Voldemort, who is a dark wizard and wants to become immortal. One major
thing that has been discussed in Harry Potter is power (Feldt, 2016). It is primarily not the
magical power but the belief in itself. Magic acts as providing a test case which helps in
ascertaining that how power can be wielded for goodness and evil.
Magic can be defined as an act secret appearance of something by saying certain words
known as spells. It can use super natural beings or forces in order to perform the same. Magic
can be a complex term to give an effective explanation as religion, society and cultures have
their own thought process and perceptions regarding magic. Prophets believes that the activities
performed by Jesus Christ was miracle. It is said that Jesus could change water into wine, walk
on water, etc. Moreover, he is considered as a magician (Duyndam, Korte and Poorthuis, 2016).
The series of Harry Potter clearly depicts some supernatural force which can override the
usual law of nature. There are various fictional magical characters that are present who exhibits
certain magical properties. A certain percentage of human who are involved in performing magic
are known as witches or wizards and others with non-magical properties are called as muggles.
There are various abilities that were possessed as special abilities by witches and wizards
in Harry Potter universe. Veela charm is used in Goblet of fire where vela hair was used to create
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magical wands. It is also shown in the first part of the series, that is, Harry potter and the
Philosopher’s Stone, that a flying class was also organized for all the people in magic school
where they were taught regarding how to fly with the help of a broomstick (Gotz and Aidman,
2014). Rowling has described Quidditch, as a magical game which has certain characteristics of
football but is played in air by the wizards and witches on their broomsticks with four balls.
Another example of magic being shown in the series is, Wizard chess, where the figures in the
game are alive. The game become similar like directing a troop in a battle ground. In other areas
of the series of books, one can see magic in the form of singing of hat, pudding getting
disappeared on its own, Hermione making feathers rise from the desk by saying ‘Wingardium
Leviosa’. Other instance can be, where Harry can see his parents through a mysterious mirror.
Other is the magic hat at Hogwarts which can determine that to what house each student belongs
to. These can some of the examples of magic which were noticed in Rowling’s novel (Groves,
2017).
A great struggle between good and evil have been described in terms of magical powers
being hold by witches and wizards in the story. Rowling has described magic as a craft which is
unevenly distributed among people. It depends of wizards and witches that whether they it for
good or bad deeds. Rowling was able to create an altogether different world where magic can be
fun, exciting, surprising and dangerous as well, if it is not used in effective manner (Harry
Potter: Harmless Christian Novel or Doorway to the Occult?, 2017).
According to Andresen (2017), Harry Potter books of J.K. Rowling are directly related to
the use of magic but it has strong adoption from Christianity. It is not only compatible with the
facts and figures being discussed by Christianity but also contain implicit message being
discussed by it. Harry Potter series have strong promotion of magic and wicca. The word ’witch’
that has been used in the series has also been described in bible as well. Further, it has been
assessed that Christianity has been promoted in the series in negative manner. However, as per
the views of Bakhtiar (2015), some books are merely written for entertaining tales. Harry Potter
is full of stereotypical magic where central theme is related to witchcraft and wizardry. The lead
roles are played by wizard, witches and other creatures having certain magical powers. The
characters practice magic on reading crystal balls, spells etc. Harry potter do not carry positive
view regarding bible. Since, the difference between good and bad is not presented effectively as
both good and evil characters participate in in different types of magic and witchcrafts. However,
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bible is considered to be a conglomeration of sorcery, spiritism and witchcraft. However, the
depiction is more around things that are good and deserve praise. Moreover, the things must also
be true, noble, pure, lovely, right and honourable. The series is not said to be fit for young and
spiritually immature children and hence Christian families restrict their kids from reading it.
Since, they will not be able to distinguish between fantasy and reality, wrong and right or evil
and good. It can leave them confused regarding views about God (Jelinek, 2016). Other issues
are, they think that certain issues have been pondered in the series which may not be fir for their
child and can perceive wrong inputs regarding bible and Christianity due to similarity in the
characters. These are, lying, violence and a bit of foul language have been used which may be
sensitive for Christian family.
The trust of Christians lies in sorceries, magic spells and astrology. As per 2 Chronicles
33, which states the story of a king Manasseh who made the God angry because he practiced
sorcery, witchcraft, divination and also consulted spirits and mediums. Moreover, the biblical
vision of J. K. Rowling work has been obvious. In one of the bible narrative, Voldemort, which
is a clear representation of evil. An individual becomes more snake like as he gets involved in
evil activities. Dehumanization also happens in the world of wizards when a witch practices
more of dark arts. In the same manner, the witches are more presented in a snake like manner
who are involved in dark arts of magic (Kroto, 2016). The use of death mirror is also a biblical
interpretation being used in the series. In the narratives of Rowling, death is the common
character in all the books that every wizard is trying to defeat. The same has been personified in
a Christian children story named, “The tale of the three brothers” whereas in other narrative
“Scripture”, death is one among all powers that Christ overcomes. There have been signs in the
series pointing out towards, scriptures as a key which can helps in unlocking the deep meaning
of death that has been included in Harry Potter (McEvoy-Levy, 2018).
Magic is the central theme of Harry Potter which helps in unveiling power. The magical
activities included in the narratives have strong association to Gospels. It presents three groups
which are following Jesus. The first group is related to people who are devoted to Jesus but are
often confused. Another group of people are the one who are antagonistic and the last group of
individuals are interested but are not ready to take either of the side. The reader of scripture is
then called to decide either of the group. The same have been experienced in the story of Harry
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Potter. It shows that there can be direct connection of the stories that are related to magic with
the narratives being prepared by J.K. Rowling (O'Connell, 2015).
According to Cohen (2016), there are certain positive aspects that have been discussed in
harry Potter that holds adequate similarity from the teachings of bible. Love that has been shown
in selflessness and self-sacrifice manner. It has been depicted in the first book of Harry Potter
that her mother sacrificed her life for her son. Further, its relation to Christianity is strong due to
portrayal of magic and fantasy which is closely linked to the spiritual stories that have been
discussed in bible. These have been undeniably the main themes and ideas of Christian stories.
The centric theme is also related to the win of good magic over evil one. Casting spells, making
potions, riding broomsticks are the other tricks of witches and wizards which has been widely
adopted in bible stories.
However, analysing the viewpoint in contrasting manner, some researcher believes that
there is no relation of series of harry potter with the narratives being discussed in Christianity
(Harry Potter: Harmless Christian Novel or Doorway to the Occult?, 2017). There is a bit of
similarity in the character, but the negativity regarding wizards and witches that have been
represented in it is not being explained in the same manner in Christian tales. In one of the books
of the series, named, “Harry Potter and the goblet of fire” challenges the faith of Christianity
where the dark side of magic has been promoted more in comparison to other parts of the book
(Wagner, 2016). Depiction of supernatural powers where humans get transformed into animals
and hybrids. Reciting spell to form clouds with the ability to transfer it from one place to another
without touching it. These instances reduced its relation to Christianity content. Some
researchers find the portrayal of witches and witchcraft to be quite immature and pagan to
appreciate and connect it to biblical theories. Further, Potter series depicts that good people
practices white magic and bad wizards tends to practice dark arts. However, as per bible, God
has not made any differentiation between white and dark magic as the origin of both type of
magic is same (Vezzali and et.al, 2015). Hence, they relate harry Potter series to be quite
fantasized and holding no importance in the world of Christianity. Moreover, some Christians
also condemns the fact that bible has supported magic in it. Some states that Harry Potter
promotes magic and witchcraft which is considered to be evil in nature. They think that the story
of J.K. Rowling is presenting their culture in negative manner. Moreover, engagement in
witchcraft is considered to be sin as per the notations of bible.
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According to Cooke (2016), Christianity has been one of the major inspiration to J.K.
Rowling and her Harry Potter books yet there are certain differences in the way it has been
presented as well.
It can be concluded from the above essay that harry potter have been the enormous mix
of stories about witches, wizards, magic, power and death. There are certain researchers who
believes that the stories being discussed in the series are derived from Christian narratives.
However, other believes that the story is purely a fantasy and do not have any relation to the
Christian culture. Further, the content is immature enough to connect it with the biblical writings.
Further, the essay outlines various types of magical practices that have been noticed in series of
Harry Potter and its connection to Christianity is also been critically discussed in the essay.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Andresen, E. F. (2017). ‘And They Say We Shouldn’t Teach Children About Evil…’-Harry
Potter as a Tool for Understanding Evil (Master's thesis, NTNU).
Bakhtiar, A. Z. (2015). Effects of media hype and mass popularity on essence of literature: as
seen from JK Rowling's Harry Potter (Doctoral dissertation, BRAC University).
Cohen, S. (2016). A Postmodern Wizard: The Religious Bricolage of the Harry Potter
Series. The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. 28(1). 54-66.
Cooke, A. (2016). Harry Potter, The Goblet Of Fire… And The Communion Of Saints?. Journal
of Religion & Film, 10(1), 8.
Duyndam, J., Korte, A. M. J., & Poorthuis, M. (2016). Sacrifice in Modernity: Community,
Ritual, Identity: from Nationalism and Nonviolence to Health Care and Harry Potter.
Brill.
Feldt, L. (2016). Contemporary fantasy fiction and representations of religion: playing with
reality, myth and magic in His Dark Materials and Harry Potter. Religion. 46(4). 550-574.
Gotz, M. & Aidman, A. (2014). Media and the make-believe worlds of children: When Harry
Potter meets Pokémon in Disneyland. Routledge.
Groves, B. (2017). Literary Allusion in Harry Potter. Routledge.
Jelinek, R. (2016). From the Bible to Harry Potter: Updating an ancient myth into modern
fantasy.
Kroto, H. (2016). Statistics of the sagas. Physics World, 29(7), 15.
McEvoy-Levy, S. (2018). Harry Potter in Guantanamo: Gothic War/Peace from Bush to Obama.
In Peace and Resistance in Youth Cultures (pp. 143-184). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
O'Connell, S. D. (2015). Harry Potter and the order of the metatext: A study of nonfiction fan
compositions and disciplinary writing (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University of
Pennsylvania).
Vezzali, L. & et.al. (2015). The greatest magic of Harry Potter: Reducing prejudice. Journal of
Applied Social Psychology. 45(2). 105-121.
Wagner, R. L. (2016). Bewitching the box office: Harry Potter and religious
controversy. Journal of Religion & Film. 7(2). 5.
Online
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Harry Potter: Harmless Christian Novel or Doorway to the Occult?. (2017). [Online]. Available
through < http://www1.cbn.com/onlinediscipleship/harry-potter%3A-harmless-christian-
novel-or-doorway-to-the-occult%3F>.
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