Author J.K. Rowling has given some frank new answers about the nature of Christian and religious themes which feature quite heavily in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In a new interview with MTV, Jo discusses her initial reluctance to bring religion in an open manner within the Harry Potter books, however her reasoning for this was that she was afraid that it might give away the plot and ending of the series.Quotage:
“To me [the religious parallels have] always been obvious,” she said. “But I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going.”
Stating that she does attend church, Jo continues on to describe her feelings on death and religion as a whole:
“The truth is that, like Graham Greene, my faith is sometimes that my faith will return. It’s something I struggle with a lot,” she revealed. “On any given moment if you asked me [if] I believe in life after death, I think if you polled me regularly through the week, I think I would come down on the side of yes — that I do believe in life after death. [But] it’s something that I wrestle with a lot. It preoccupies me a lot, and I think that’s very obvious within the books.”
While there are extensive SPOILERS contained in the interview, Jo does address some significant (and perhaps controversial) events that happened in “Deathly Hallows” that had strong Christian themes and basis. To read this very good interview, click here.
It comes as no surprise to many that she is a Christian, and that there are Christian themes in her books, but it was nice to hear her speak explicitly about it. She did a good job of expressing her faith without beating people over the head with it. That is something I wish more of my fellow Christians would aspire to do.
I’ve read her interview and I say “yeah, Jo!” I love the last line re: not taking responsibility for lunatics in her own church.
Tho not a very ‘religious’ person, I do feel I have a deep spirituality and saw the christian connection throughout the series. For those religious fanatics who couldn’t see past the witchcraft, they’ve missed out on a thoughtful, moving series.
Indeed. I felt that the final book, more than the others put together, had a somewhat religious tone. It felt bizarre reading Chapter 35 (‘King’s Cross’) for the first time (I didn’t think that Jo would go into that territory – guessing as to what happens after death). But now after many rereads I can unequivocally say that it’s for sure the deepest chapter in the entire series, as well as the two others that preceded it (‘The Prince’s Tale’ and ‘The Forest Again’).
The seventh book was really well done. It was a little bit ambiguous and it left me with a lot of food for the thought until I managed to figure out on my own what’s happened (And I am a die-hard fan) in it and what everything symbolized.
The book has its deficiencies, but in general it was really well done; it is either the best or the second best (Following ‘Half-Blood Prince’) of the seven.
Excellent job, Jo, and all the best in whatever you’re intending to write next.
Excellent, excellent, excellent! I am so happy this article has come out. As a Christian and super-fan of Harry Potter, I have in the past felt as if I had to defend this series to friends and family. Now I am printing this article and keeping it in my purse to be pulled out whenever someone THINKS to complain about the books being “evil”. Thank you, Jo!
I’m Jewish, so I don’t know much of the Christian Bible, and I find this is a problem because I miss a lot of significance in books. But this was a very interesting article. Poorly proofread, though, because Aeschylus didn’t write “The Liberation Bearers,” he wrote “The Libation Bearers.” Tsk, Tsk, MTV. Haha.
Brava! This interview indicates what separates JKR from the “lunatic fringe” who happily ban her works because of its supposed support of witchcraft>
1) her willingness to accept her own doubting and stay hopeful. I’m reminded of the man in the NT who says to Christ, “Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief.” This sounds offensive to those who insist that those who have “truly” embraced the gospel wouldn’t doubt the right way.
2) her willingness to skirt traditional symbology. She didn’t need to scatter crosses and cathedrals through the novels to have thoughtful, meaningful, spiritual content. Some people with a shallow view of the world can’t get past the HP “witchcraft” that looks more like Halloween dressup than any pagan/satanic performance.
No problem with what Jo is saying … in fact, if you read between the lines, her approach is fairly open (she selected a pagan and Christian passage for the opening of the book), but I find the tone of the article very irritating. As an athiest, I feel deeply betrayed at the journalist’s implication that Harry Potter is entirely Christian allegory – just as I felt betrayed as a child when I realised what CS Lewis was trying to do in Narnia (indoctrinate me).
That’s the thing. I didn’t see anything in Deathly Hallows (or indeed the series) that indicated a specifically Christian viewpoint. Harry is reminiscent of Jesus, sure, along with a slew of other monotheistic & pagan deities & heroes. In fact I kind of always thought she was pagan considering many of the archetypes she uses date back farther than the monotheistic religions. Although, to be fair, many British pagans do go to church and I didn’t see anything in the interview that indicates her as specifically Christian, just religious and that she goes to a church. But maybe she’s just used to being cryptic.
As someone who generally accepts all religions (and atheism), I’m glad JKR still hasn’t planted a big cross in the middle of these books. I have read the HolyBible (along with many other religious texts) but I don’t think you should feel left out Ilana as I don’t think it’s the only religious text that lent her inspiration. If you read the Egyptian Book of the Dead, you can see for yourself that both Harry and Voldemort are both very Osiris like though Voldemort’s chopping up was self imposed. Speaking of books of the dead, the Tibetan book of the Dead explains far more about the nature of the Kings Cross from the climax than anything in the old or new testament. Then again, you could also argue that with the absence of any reference to any deities specifically, that the story is of humans who have outgrown their gods. I’ve always actually been impressed with the fact that the Harry Potter series seemed very inclusive of all these ideas and archetypes beyond the boundaries of any one religion. I could go on about this for days but I won’t bore you with it. Besides, my lunch break is almost over. I just find it interesting that people are jumping to the conclusion that JKR is Christian even though she hasn’t specifically said so or written anything that narrow. You should know by now: she’s tricked us before, so I hope you don’t mind if I wait for her to say so.
If I’ve horribly confused or offended anyone here, I didn’t mean to. Mention the word “religion” and there are those who’re bound to be offended. But if anyone would like to know what the h* I’m talking about, read some Joseph Campbell, specifically A Hero with a Thousand Faces. Harry Potter is face 1,001.
Did any of you read the article about Jo telling the actors what happens to them in DH(the link is in the MTV article)? In it Jo says that Hermione kisses both Harry and Ron. When does she kiss Harry?
It comes as no surprise to many that she is a Christian, and that there are Christian themes in her books, but it was nice to hear her speak explicitly about it. She did a good job of expressing her faith without beating people over the head with it. That is something I wish more of my fellow Christians would aspire to do.