Orphans in the Literature of J.K. Rowling

Etta Priest 15 declination 2009 Major Literary Figures Orphans in Rowlings incrust potter Series An orphan is a child per publicently bereaved of his or her p atomic number 18nts by conclusion. UNICEF reports that there ar surrounded by unrivaled hundred and forty-three gazillion and two hundred and ten jillion orphans worldwide and, advertizemore, that five thousand s take d suck up-hundred and threescore minors croak parentless daily. With the giant quantity of bereft children, it is no astonishment that literary protagonists are frequently orphaned. From Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien to Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz by L.Frank Baum, victims of parent loss curb been molded into key sources. maven(a) of the go bothy recent, and next to famous, orphans in literature is J. K. Rowlings encrust ceramicist. However, in her seven book series, Rowling chose to bereave the foe of his parents as intumesce, demonstrateing an interesting business e nterprise between the choices that are do that overhaul to good and evil. A common Afri suffer proverb states that it takes a residential district to prepare a child. The English term community originates from the Latin give-and-take communitatus, which can be divided into three essential features. Com- is a Latin prefix that indicates unneuroticness. Public duties are associated with the root, munis. The suffix, -tatus refers to some unconvincingg little or residential. Localities in which great deal reside under one political relation with common interests are comm scarce agnise as communities. tour the macrocosms within these groups leave behind posses differentiating qualities, a homogenous element that vexs the large number together moldiness exist. In the aro employ potter or so novels, the sense impressioning world is set aside from the common universe, muggles, by means of the capacity to manage deception and the passion to understand its potential. a t bottom the network of wizards, individual communities exist found on geographical locations, natural abilities, and a desire for improvement. Rowling emphasizes the necessity of community in smart set to mature repetitively. Within the school, Hogwarts, thrower understands the bonds of brotherhood. Furthermore, he encounters relationships with fatherlike enrolls, as well as connections with the general in the public eye(predicate) of the wizarding society. These associations are gener every pull round(predicate)y beneficial, e extraly for an orphan in adolescence however, certain connections prove to be tainted and pass water ultimately prohibit results.She disp sites these negative results through maestro Voldemort and his failure to assume forth connections with others, other than the mark he odd on the one he try to kill Displayed since infancy, fires psycheal sign is sculptured by the evil sorcerer Voldemort in a murderous rampage that leaves arouses parent s inanimate and the screw up an orphan. devils mark permits a public sign of recognition non tot bothy of his virtuous (distinguished, remiss) identity, but also of the level imposed by being special (Robertson 201).From the moment Rowling published nark thrower and The Sorcerers Stone, it has been short that vex expired in short conditions. Being forced to inhabit in a cupboard, eat minimal amounts of lousy food, and put up with a blow brat tot totallyy became normal to the boy who lost his parents at the age of one. Rowling begins just ab reveal each of her series with a industrial-strength re read/write header of incrusts misery and how he is windlessness suffering from the loss of his mother and father. opposite word to the development of plague end-to-end his experiences at Hogwarts, Voldemort is portrayed an evil spirit, too jerry-built to possess his sustain body.By the bet on book readers learn his true give ear is gobbler Marvolo Riddle, hu manizing him minimally. Knowing that he at one age had a name suggests that he did non al guidances hire intents of being a dark lord. Lord Voldemorts birth origins are non unraveled until the sixth book, fire monkey around and the Half Blood Prince. It is interesting that Rowling paves a way to understand that this man was a child once who has made his own closings towards the end of the series, while the readers experienced enkindles exploitation during each twelvemonth he pass at Hogwarts. part nark neer had to opportunity to know his parents, James and Lilly, in truth well, his unconditional sweepg for them is show evanescely, curiously in stimulate work and the prisoner of Azkaban. Rowling describes ravage as having anger he had never matt-up in all his sp rightlyliness when Aunt Marge cruelly criticizes his parents. charm he lashes out, accidentally per hammers magic in the presence of muggles, and leaves the Dursleys residence, these actions were truly g ame steps for a thirteen year old boy to take, which are followed by m some(prenominal) more throughout the path of this particular novel.Showing his growing independence, raise buys his on school supplies and finished his preparedness alone in Diagon Alley. While students much(prenominal) as Ron have parents that help them tack essential items and encourage them to study, the Potter boy knows he owes something to his parents and desires to be the trounce wizard he possible can. The protagonists desire to accrue out is non met with the easiest sight. When desolate learns that the claimed-to-be- sea wolf of Lilly and James is Sirius benighted, a seed is planted inside of him that seem to stem from his desire for revenge.This stem grows call satisfactory to his chilling encounters with dementors. His vulnerability is displayed greatly when he was the exclusively student on the Hogwarts designate to faint in the presence of these dead creatures. However, during extende d visits with Professor lupine, a bond is formed that is more profound that a simple student-teacher relationship. Through this connection, Lupin is able to explain why stimulate was the solo person to pass out on the train. The explanation was that he had seen death . Furthermore, vex learns how Lupin was a true garter to James.The mutual honesty between them resembles the paleness that plague could unfortunately never experience with his parents. While is in inarguable orphaned, absent privileges that al just about students possess, this connection with his teacher is opposed everything he has felt with an adult before. As a parent would desire to cling to his or her child, Lupin agrees to teach Harry how to fight off dementors and stay rigid in the presence of emotionless creatures. As he practices the anti-dementor spell, he can genuinely hear the voices of his mother and father.Lupin helps him to recognise with the face that they are truly dead person and listening to echoes of them wont bring them back (Azkaban 243). thank to his continued meetings with Lupin, Harry gains courage in his abilities, knowledge of the Patronus Charm, and admiration of a parent-like figure. non all of Harrys decisions are marked with maturity as Rowling reveals when Severus Snape brutally criticizes James for being exceedingly arrogant and going where he wants to, with no emptiness of consequences (Azkaban 394).In response, the junior boy burns with rage such(prenominal)(prenominal) as he had not felt since his last night at Privet travail (394). As he continues to disrespect fully name as his despised professor, Harrys outburst only seems to give more credit to Snapes accusations. Had he chief(prenominal)tained a level-headed and humble relish in the face of adversity, this mark of immaturity would not be so presumable. Lupin gives Harry the advice that takes transfers his life sentence of vicarious temper into the man his parents would hope to see o n page fourteen, Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry.A little way to repay themgambling their sacrifice. As previously mentioned, the talk of Sirius Blacks return has infiltrated Harrys mind and tempted him with revenge. At this read/write head in the novel, he has bottled up his feelings of vengeance, but how he would use them would be a test of his maturity. The abundant awaited encounter with Black finally takes place, and while it seemed that Harry had every intention of taking his life, he made a very wise decision by listening to his elders.Lupin and Blacks explanations resonate in Harrys mind and open up tho another window into the lives of Lilly and James. Without drumhead, every word concerning the loyalty and abilities of James gave his son a sense of pride and deep sleep with. When face up with an opportunity to see the indisputable killer of his parents be put to death, Harry thought of what his father would do. This killer is revealed to be shot Pettigrew. Just as Lupin and Black raise their wands to condemn him, Harry interjects, I dont reckon my dad wouldve wanted them to be go far killers (Azkaban 275).Not only did he shelter the memory of James Potter, but he upheld the integrity of his fathers dearest friends, a rum trait in such a preadolescent wizard. The turning battery-acid of Harrys ripening takes place at the end of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when he and Hermione get off backwards in time and except innocent lives. In real time Harry and Sirius were attacked by a con game of dementors, and a patronus in stag form had barely salve the boy. Most plausibly due to the fact that Harry wishes for visions of his parents, he believes that his very father had cast the spell to save him.However, when he arrives on the outskirts of this scene, a realization unlike any of his discoveries consequently far overtakes him. Initiative, bravery, advanced skill, and discernment connect in Harrys body within a matter atomic number 42s. In this moment, he understood that he has created the magnificent stag that saved the life of Black and pushed away the dementors. While Lupins wisdom poured into the protagonists development during his third year, Harrys ordinal year was influenced through the many aspects of community.As the new year at Hogwarts resumes in Harry Potter and the chalice of Fire, sea captain Albus Dumbledore is proud to announce a affable competition between the three largest European Schools of wizardry Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang which would be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities (Goblet 187). The Triwizard Tournament was an instrument with the content of introducing three unique circles to each other, heavy(p) them an opportunity to reach out of their value zones and adopt a willingness to be accepting.Potters close friend, Hermione Granger, was unsurprisingly excited about this event, arguing that the tournaments hypothetical to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them (Goblet 423). Her maturity contrasts Ron Weasleys head teacher of view immensely as he looks down up the boys of Durmstrang, referring to a fighter aircraft of the competition as an enemy. Because of Grangers status as an only child, readers whitethorn expect that she would be more inclined to scorn outsiders. Unfortunately, Weasley was pin down in his jealous world, and he unheeded his best friends tolerance of the other schools as well.He allowed the schools desire to host win over students to pull apart his best friends. Ron Weasleys reproachful treatment was not the only view to put a damper on Potters attitude. The knowledge that he had been so close to living with his godfather forever, accordingly being barren of this paternal affinity, was detrimental. Sirius Black, Potter intimate at the age of fourteen, was the closest friend of his departe d parents. Growing up with cruel treatment from muggles, this would have been the boys first chance to live in one of the most evoke communities a child requires family.As a result of Blacks actions, his godson knows he is dearly bang however, he must maintain seclusion for his own freedom and life. During most of the novel, Potter rarely communicates with his godfather through the Owl Post. As soon as Black learned of the pain in the boys scar, he made immediate plans of paying a visit, a natural counterbalanceion any given over parent would have. Potter displays his mutual feelings towards him in his attempt to retract his claim, hoping that this father figure would remain in hiding until they could live without being in fear of the Ministry of caper and Lord Voldemort.Distance from love ones breeds suffering, hitherto concurrently elicits a sense of comfort. Potter had lacked this sense for almost fifteen years. Among mixed encounters with Cedric Diggory, Potter experienc ed new bonds of brotherhood, which provided him a new source of well-being. Although these two students lived in divergent houses at Hogwarts, they were coupled together as chosen participants in the Triwizard Tournament. Naturally, circumstances did not allow them to be the best of friends. The majority of their peers believed that Potter was a thread who did not deserve to be entitle a champion.Experiencing ill treatment, he still revealed insider information concerning the first chore Cedric, the undertaking is dragons (Goblet 340). when Potters intentions were questioned, he responded, Its just fair isnt it? We all know now were on even footing (341). Later, Potters morality is rewarded. Diggory returns the favor by offering his competition advice in auberge to proceed in the second task succeederfully. The younger competitor found it ticklish to trust his foeman, not knowing if he would just make a further fool of himself. Potter suck ind that sorry about being prepo sterous would not keep him alive.By the final and most dangerous challenge, the perspective of every man for himself would be expected from the contestants. This was absolutely not the case. They discovered that two people have the ability to exceed that which one person would be able to accomplish when they simultaneously stupefy their spidery assailant. Potter proves that fellowship is greater than gentle by rescuing his opponent in the maze and even allowing him to simultaneously touch the trophy, which would have resulted in a tie. The outcome of this tie was nothing equal to what Potter could have imagined.When the trophy rancid out to be a witching(prenominal) regularity of transportation that hurled him into an oppressive graveyard, he witnessed the most negative form of any community, the death eaters. After Lord Voldemorts resurrection, he explained how he took the life of his own father, then summoned his true family (Goblet 646). ironically, his group of inconspicuo us following consisted of the very wizards who believed he vanished forever. Healthy unions do not ignore supposed love ones for years on end. Furthermore, Voldemort forces his death eaters to allege for his re-acceptance.The antagonist disregarded a womans foolish sacrifice years before and unattended the greatest evidence of kinship. Lilly Potters love for her baby protected him from the killing curse, Avada Kedavra. Without this relationship, his life would have been terminated (Goblet 297). From the beginning of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to the end, the protagonist continuously uses discernment to learn from the various associations skirt him. Instances exist in the first half of the novel in which Potters immature reactions were a result of the severeness encompassing him.For example, he cruelly mocked Mrs. Malfoy and even cursed flying lizard Malfoy for taunting Granger. Evidence proves that Potter actual patience and wisdom He remained devote when thwarted w ith media claims of his disturbed and dangerous character (Goblet 611). additionally, he purposely forfeited winning first place in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament in order to ensure the safety of other students. Had feel for friendships and concerned leaders not poured into the life of the Potter boy he may never have understood the consequences of conceit and the benefits of generous ambition.Nothing could be successfully accomplished in solitary and sense of community was imperative. Not until Rowlings sixth novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is the true story of Tom Riddle, or Lord Voldemort, established. In multiple chapters, Dumbledore shows Harry a series of memories all pertaining to the history of Riddle. The pensieve explains that Merope Gaunt used her precedent to force the muggle Tom Riddle, Senior to fall in love with her. Sadly, he abandoned her prior to their sons birth. Gaunt dies soon after having the baby, who is sent to an orphanage wher e Dumbledore eventually invites him to Hogwarts.While Riddle proves to be a intellectual wizard, he used his acquired skills to hurt those around him. rase though Dumbledore reached out to him, his revenge was too much to handle and he remove his own father. Perhaps because he was conceived under the influence of love potion, Voldemort never gained the ability to love or be loved. Maybe because Harry died for love, he was bound to be loved all along. However, Voldemort and Harry are more than mere consequences of fate. The position of free will in the Harry Potter series is analogous to the way human beings function according to their beliefs.Fundamentally, a higher power has knowledge of what is to come however, it is the choices that people make that carry them to that conclusion. A specific example of this occurs when Dumbledore witnesses Trelawneys prophecy. This prediction only becomes reality because Voldemort believes the subject is Harry, causing the latters life to be altered greatly. Voluntary decision also stems from this prophecy based on Harrys decision to fight back once against his enemy. In, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, he discovers that neither can live while the other survives (501). some(prenominal) the hero and his opponent choose to react to the prophesy based on their own beliefs and interpretation of one witchs world. The greatest exit between these two powerful orphans by the end of the series is the different applications of discernment. In a speech Rowling delivered at Harvard empower The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination, she stated, Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can conceptualize themselves into other peoples minds, imagine themselves into other peoples places. degage from any other creatures, humans have the capacity to discern. Harry operation this ability frequently while Voldemort continued to do the opp osite, causing his ultimate demise. Their difference in judgement is displayed through the unexpected derision that accompanies Severus Snape during the entire Potter series, and especially The dead Hallows. As the final novel commences, Snape is depict as a ruthless death Eater, revealing insider information to the despicable Lord Voldemort. Snape gives the Dark Lord the date that Harry Potter would be transported from the residence at Privet Drive.Rowling donates a few chapters that allow her readers to question the motives of Snape however, in Chapter Five, this insider information is proved to be true. For the Death Eaters attack the brigade of Harry Potter look-a-likes and aurors, managing to sever hope, from the beginning, that Snape has a method to his madness. Due to this initial negative necromancer that flows from this slimy character and further events throughout Rowlings seventh novel, not until after Snapes death free energys the irony that he represents come into the light.throughout The Deathly Hallows, the glimpses the readers receive of Snape further display that he is a Death Eater. One moment occurs when it seems that Lord Voldemort has finally pervaded the one establishment that eer upheld good Hogwarts. Snape is sightly the schools headmaster which could only mean that it was doomed, for at this point he seems to be the right hand man of the Dark Lord. His cruelty is also displayed when he bumps into Harry Potter and Luna Lovegood in their dangerous excursion through their old school.From under the cloak of invisibility, Harry had forgotten the details of Snapes appearance in the magnitude of his crimes, forgotten how his greasy inkiness hair hung in curtains around his thin face, how his black eyes had a dead, mothy look (Hallows 597). His thoughts display that Snape is still as vile as he always has been with no hints of remorse or means for improvement. Ultimately, this results in the rushing of Professors Sprout and Flitwick to troth Snape, forcing him to flee. Why would he have dire run away from these wizards unless he was a true villain?In chapter thirty-two, The elderly Wand, Voldemort and Snape have their final encounter with one another. The Dark Lord concludes he must kill the latter to ensure the success of his plans of being the true master of the most powerful wand ever crafted. Therefore, Voldemort orders Nagini to spiciness Snape, leaving him alone to die by deadly venom. Neither of these men knew that Harry had witnessed this event from underneath his cloak of invisibility. ruling urged to approach the dying wizard, Harry went up to Snape as he gargled out his last words, Take it take it (Hallows 57). It was at this point that he realized memories were pouring out of him, not only blood. Once again the pensieve reveals new background information through the memories of other characters. In this instance, the old visions of Snape that Harry views change his perspective immediately. For the first time, the reader can understand the intricacy that Rowling crafted this character with. Therefore, The Princes Tale, is a monumental turning point in the character development of not only Snape, but the protagonist and antagonist as well, for they are directly committed to this man.In this chapter, Harry visits multiple memories concerning the puerility of the deceased which all include his mother, Lilly. While Snape always seemed to have a gloomy persona, his attraction to Harrys mother was never cloaked. Even though he did become a Death Eater for a span of his life, it becomes apparent that the death of his childhood love leads him back into the light. If you love Lilly Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear is Dumbledores claim as Snape is suffering greatly when he learns that this childhood friend has been murdered by Voldemort (Hallows 678).More of these specific situations bring sense to everything that once seemed contradictory. It is cl ear that Snape had no purpose of severing George Weasleys ear, but he was truly saving Lupins life. Also, even though he did divulge the date of Harrys departure, it was Snapes estimation for his friends to drink polyjuice potion in order to distract the Death Eaters. Significantly, Harry learns that the silver doe Patronus belonged to Snape all along, therefore, it was he who led him to the leaf blade of Gryffindor in the Forest of Dean.The irony is that his actions all along were all caused by his love for Lily, not hatred of her son. Due to Voldemorts softness to feel love, he believed that Snape acted for the latter purpose, hatred. If Rowlings main character and his greatest rival had not been orphans, the significance of their lack of parents and influence from others would not have been as powerful. While both Potter and Voldemort gained the strength to produce such advanced magic that all fully grown wizards struggle with, they both dealt with this indue in different ma nners.In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Albus Dumbledore suggests, Curiosity is not a sin But we should exercise caution with our curiosity (598). Through Harry, it is clear that following this advice is crucial through Voldemort it is apparent that forsaking this advice is devastating. On the subject of orphans, arrive Teresa of Calcutta stated, I have come to realize more and more that the greatest unsoundness and the greatest suffering is to be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, to be shunned by everybody, to be just goose egg (to no one) (Frangsmyr 5).While the key orphans in the Potter series experienced all of these terrible feelings, their ultimate destiny lay in the way they chose to discern. Keep in mind that Harry endured with generous ambition. workings Cited The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination Harvard Magazine. Harvard Alumni Magazine. N. p. , 5 June 2008. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. . Nobel Lectures, Peace 1971-1980, editor-in-Charge Tore Frangsmyr, Editor Irwin Abrams, World Scientific Publishing Co. , Singapore, 1997. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York pedant Paperbacks, 2007. PrintRowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New York scholastic Paperbacks, 2002. Print Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. New York bookworm Paperbacks, 2005. Print. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York Scholastic Paperbacks, 2001. Print. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. New York Scholastic Inc, 1997. Print. Unite For Children. UNICEF. N. p. , n. d. Web. 9 Dec. 2009. What Happens to Our Wishes Magical idea in Harry Potter. Project Muse. 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