Characterization through Death in the Harry Potter Series Anonymous 12th Grade

Introduction

Author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling is best known for her children's books about a young boy who learns he is a wizard and goes on to have epic adventures. However, this book series is different from other children's books in that it contains many dark themes and subjects, one of which is death. Harry Potter, the protagonist of the Harry Potter series, is an orphan who learns that he is a wizard and belongs to the world of magic, but must also face Voldemort, the man who murdered Harry’s parents and attempted (and failed) to murder him when he was a baby. After becoming the only person to survive the killing curse and an encounter with Voldemort, Harry became known as “the boy who lived”[1]. Harry’s life was founded in death, so it must shape his life in many ways. Harry is also plagued by a prophecy about him and Voldemort which states that “neither can live while the other survives”[2]. Harry knows that he must either kill Voldemort or be killed by Voldemort, and he has made choices and defined himself with that in mind. Voldemort, the primary antagonist of the Harry Potter series, is a dark wizard who attempts to take over the wizarding world and kill the only person to ever thwart him: Harry Potter....