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.
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.
Erm, I think she has said so, Leif. I’d have to check back in her previous interviews for an exact quote, but I’m pretty sure she does identify herself as Christian. That’s part of why she finds the Christians who want to ban her books so ironic.
HA! Take that, relgious fanatics who claim Harry Potter = witchcraft!
While reading the article, I couldn’t help but smiling at Jo’s mastery of absolutely everything—poetry, Biblical quotes, the English language, oh and maybe writing the best series of all time. She kept almost an entire theme hidden from us until the very last book, it was always there, we just never really picked up on it.
Oh, and is anyone else surprised that MTV actually carried out an intelligent interview with someone? I’ve never really considered them journalists before…
Jo never siezes to amaze me. Thats just flippn awesome that she came right out and said it…in front of MTV too! Speaking of you’d never think MTV would do something as deep as that… lol I knew I recognized those two sayings on the tobstones from somewhere. (is a big christian so I heard it somewhere but I wasn’t sure from where I heard it of) but anywho I did copy and paste most of the article and I am printing now as I speak. Or is it type? shrugs either way im printing it out. hehe bet thats a big slap in the face for christians who don’t like Harry Potter. muah :J
Bandersnach:
I can’t say for sure, I know I haven’t read all of her interviews,but of the ones I’ve read (both post & pre DH) she’s very careful to not say anything specific. Even in this interview I notice the author of the article assumes so but I’ve never seen anything quoted. Not that I’d like her work any less either way. She could admit to being a satanic polygamist pervert and I’d still love these books. Though I’d have to read into them a bit differently, especially the relationship between Harry and Dumbledor.
Leif,
As a Christian myself, I was not offended by your observations on the obvious “Christian” content
of “Deathly Hallows”. While there are some vague
paralells to an “after-life” in other world religions, Christianity is unique in the fact of a “physical” resurrection that is presented in
“Deathly Hallows”. Dumbledore, Harry’s parents,
Lupin and Sirius walk and meet with Harry physically in their appearance with him as opposed
to being a ghostly apparition, just as Jesus Christ walked with His disciples and even ate fish with them after His death and resurrection.
Yes, J K Rowling is a “Christian” Leif, if you look into the many interviews, she has mentioned that she is a member and attender of the Church
of Scotland and recently it has been made known
that all her children are Baptised into the church
as well.
Thank you David.
I wouldn’t expect most people (especially anyone here) to be offended but there’s some people…well… you never know. Some people get offended by watching someone eat a hotdog but I’m not going to get into that.
And like I said, I never read an interview with JKR where she talks about being a part of the COS… sorry, that’s Church of Scotland, or anything about her children being baptized. On the contrary, I’ve only ever seen her dance around the religion subject but I’ll take your word for it because I’m also sure I haven’t read every interview.
I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree with you about the “fact” that Christianity is unique in believing in a physical resurrection. There are quite a few old pagan faiths that most definitely believe in a physical resurrection. The ancient Egyptian beliefs I briefly mentioned earlier most definitely prescribe to a physical resurrection. Why do you think they packed all that stuff into their tombs? They thought they were going to need it all.
There have been religions which believe in a physical resurrection since even before the old testament was written. That’s why I couldn’t tell what JKR’s religion was based only on the Harry Potter books. Of course by the holidays she used, I assumed she was at least brought up Christian, but the archetypes? Well, they could’ve come from anywhere.
I actually am a bit disappointed about the religious implications. Of course, even a secular Jew like me can see the parallels, but it’s downright frustrating seeing her come out like that and say that she drew direct parallels. The King’s Cross chapter for me is about Harry, not some stupid afterlife. He has been gaining meaning and understanding through the book and when he is knocked out and Voldemort’s piece of soul is ripped out of him, of course he went into physical and mental shock and “just because it’s been happening in your head doesn’t make it any less real”, to Quote Dumbledore. That’s what it’s about, not some stupid afterlife and resurrection. I shouldn’t read any more interviews, but rather understand the books myself. There is nothing relating Harry and Jesus, and that’s very very clear from the books.
As for her ‘doubts’ . . . heck, if you’ve never doubted, you never really believed.
As for myself, I love the DH references . . . I’ve been totally geeking out at Mass what with the liturgy of August 15th, and yesterday being the feast of St. Hedwig!
elka78 wrote: I actually am a bit disappointed about the religious implications. Of course, even a secular Jew like me can see the parallels, but it’s downright frustrating seeing her come out like that and say that she drew direct parallels.
You have to read the article carefully though. There is a lot of spin put in there by the interviewer. I think what Jo actually says is closer to your original position, that the story has been inspired by Christian ideas in several aspects, but she doesn’t require the reader to draw direct parallels.
"Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare... what did Professor Sprout say? -- it likes the dark and the damp --"[br]"So light a fire!" Harry choked.[br]"Yes -- of course -- but there's no wood!" Hermione cried....[br]
"HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" Ron bellowed. "ARE YOU A W
I want to hear what Laura Mallory has to say on this one :)