An excerpt from my master's dissertation in foreign languages.
Harry Potter, as a character, holds a special place in my heart. I grew up immersed in his magical world, witnessing a fictional character's journey into adulthood and life's complexities. During those formative years, many things in life seemed puzzling, but as I navigated the whirlwind called life, certain themes began to crystallize. One such theme that resonated with me, perhaps more than any other, was the concept of death.
As I matured and realized that I, too, was aging, it became evident that the people I held dear, particularly those who were already elderly, were growing even older. This realization sent me spiraling into a fear of what lay beyond old age. Throughout human history, death has been our eternal adversary. We often label things as enemies when we fail to see them for what they truly are. My dissertation, spanning hundreds of pages, was an attempt to argue the opposite: that death is not an enemy but rather humanity's eternal companion. In life, we defy death, and when, for reasons unknown in the universe, our biological and mental processes begin to falter, we encounter death. It was never distant; it simply waited patiently. However, the omnipresence of death need not be feared.
Harry, as a fictional character, demonstrated the opposite to his readers and viewers. We will inevitably witness the passing of our loved ones, whether they are father figures, mother figures, or siblings. Is it fair? Life itself is not fair, but we learn to cope with this reality. We confront death in our daily lives, whether we are crossing the street and a car strikes us or when we drive recklessly, almost inviting death. In Harry's world, death was wielded by spells and the infamous dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. Regardless of the circumstances, death remains a constant presence. Contrary to the common belief that we may align ourselves with Harry Potter, the "boy who lived," we also share a connection with Voldemort. Why, you may wonder? We may not have committed heinous acts or lack a nose, but we, like Voldemort, fragment our souls by investing in trivial pursuits, attempting to halt time and tether ourselves to this earthly existence.
We become consumed by material possessions, striving for the utmost luxury, documenting every moment through photos and videos that we rarely revisit. We do this to convince ourselves that we will remain perpetually youthful and immortal. Yet, a photograph is merely an inert collection of data that captures no essence. It is we who breathe life into these seemingly insignificant selfies or candid snapshots. The true value lies not in what we possess but in the connections, we cultivate with others. Whether it's a friendship, a love story, or the bond between parents and children, these connections hold a far greater power than the latest Apple gadget or Android feature. Love, something that transcends the realm of magic portrayed in fiction, is within the reach of each of us. Harry was no prodigious wizard; he was just an infant who survived Lord Voldemort with nothing but a scar, thanks to the love of his parents. Love shielded him at Hogwarts and prepared him to face his ultimate adversary—not Lord Voldemort but Death itself.
Harry taught us that when we embrace our fear of death, we truly begin to live. Death will eventually come for all of us, regardless of wealth or social standing. It's not about our possessions but about the love we share and receive. Our memories with the people we love will endure even in the face of death because when death arrives, love keeps someone alive in our hearts and minds until the very end.
"The theme of death runs throughout many fairytales, including J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. This theme serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, but also as a reminder that hope and love will always prevail over darkness and despair. The characters in these tales often face death head-on, grappling with the idea of mortality, and ultimately emerging transformed.
They learn to cherish the moments of life and to hold their loved ones dear, while at the same time facing their own mortality with a courage and heroism that would shame many adults. Ultimately, the Harry Potter series serves as a testament to the power of love, hope, and the will to endure."
As I matured and realized that I, too, was aging, it became evident that the people I held dear, particularly those who were already elderly, were growing even older. This realization sent me spiraling into a fear of what lay beyond old age. Throughout human history, death has been our eternal adversary. We often label things as enemies when we fail to see them for what they truly are. My dissertation, spanning hundreds of pages, was an attempt to argue the opposite: that death is not an enemy but rather humanity's eternal companion. In life, we defy death, and when, for reasons unknown in the universe, our biological and mental processes begin to falter, we encounter death. It was never distant; it simply waited patiently. However, the omnipresence of death need not be feared.
Harry, as a fictional character, demonstrated the opposite to his readers and viewers. We will inevitably witness the passing of our loved ones, whether they are father figures, mother figures, or siblings. Is it fair? Life itself is not fair, but we learn to cope with this reality. We confront death in our daily lives, whether we are crossing the street and a car strikes us or when we drive recklessly, almost inviting death. In Harry's world, death was wielded by spells and the infamous dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. Regardless of the circumstances, death remains a constant presence. Contrary to the common belief that we may align ourselves with Harry Potter, the "boy who lived," we also share a connection with Voldemort. Why, you may wonder? We may not have committed heinous acts or lack a nose, but we, like Voldemort, fragment our souls by investing in trivial pursuits, attempting to halt time and tether ourselves to this earthly existence.
We become consumed by material possessions, striving for the utmost luxury, documenting every moment through photos and videos that we rarely revisit. We do this to convince ourselves that we will remain perpetually youthful and immortal. Yet, a photograph is merely an inert collection of data that captures no essence. It is we who breathe life into these seemingly insignificant selfies or candid snapshots. The true value lies not in what we possess but in the connections, we cultivate with others. Whether it's a friendship, a love story, or the bond between parents and children, these connections hold a far greater power than the latest Apple gadget or Android feature. Love, something that transcends the realm of magic portrayed in fiction, is within the reach of each of us. Harry was no prodigious wizard; he was just an infant who survived Lord Voldemort with nothing but a scar, thanks to the love of his parents. Love shielded him at Hogwarts and prepared him to face his ultimate adversary—not Lord Voldemort but Death itself.
Harry taught us that when we embrace our fear of death, we truly begin to live. Death will eventually come for all of us, regardless of wealth or social standing. It's not about our possessions but about the love we share and receive. Our memories with the people we love will endure even in the face of death because when death arrives, love keeps someone alive in our hearts and minds until the very end.
"The theme of death runs throughout many fairytales, including J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. This theme serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, but also as a reminder that hope and love will always prevail over darkness and despair. The characters in these tales often face death head-on, grappling with the idea of mortality, and ultimately emerging transformed.
They learn to cherish the moments of life and to hold their loved ones dear, while at the same time facing their own mortality with a courage and heroism that would shame many adults. Ultimately, the Harry Potter series serves as a testament to the power of love, hope, and the will to endure."
Image credit: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter#/media/File:Harry_Potter_wordmark.svg
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