Who Invited Harry Potter?

von Victoria Hippard

Myths about heroes involve early parental loss, mentors, battles against evil, and night-sea journeys during which self-awareness deepens. J.K. Rowling s books about the hero, Harry Potter, share these plot similarities, while they engender phenomenal attention and commercial success. Using the methods of depth psychological analysis, this book asks, Who needs Harry Potter, with his adventures, challenges with evil and decision making? We have invited Harry, and he has shown up. This work posits that the archetypal images within the novels represent connections to the collective unconscious, and offer meaningful commentary about love, loss, and transformation in contemporary culture. Throughout the chapters, excerpts from Rowling s books and other works of literature illustrate theories of childhood development, grief and loss, evil, and the archetypal. Jung s theories about the shadow provide a framework for understanding Harry s emerging self, warts and all, as well as the personality of the antagonist, Voldemort. Enlightening research and reading for educators, psychotherapists, and Harry Potter fans, especially for those who believe in the power of story to transform.