Identity And Self-Realization In The Fantasy World Of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone

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A Literary Analysis of the Themes of Identity and Self-Realization in the Fantasy World of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

This literary analysis will define the importance of self-realization in the fantasy world of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. Rowling’s fantasy world presents the challenges of a young boy, Harry Potter, that is trapped between the “real world” and the fantasy world of Hogwart’s School. Harry’s transport into the world of Hogwart’s provides him with the potential for self-realization that will fulfill his true identity as a wizard. Hogwarts School is, in fact, a fantasy location, but the overriding realism of his identity as a wizard teaches him about the importance …show more content…

This aspect of Harry’s low esteem and lack of identity makes him doubtful and confused. Unfortunately, Harry’s father and mother had been murdered by the evil Wizard, Lord Voldemort. In this family life, Harry is future victimized by the selfishness of Uncle Vernon and his wife. These domestic experiences in the “real world” are grim, as they often involve Harry’s struggle with Uncle Vernon. In this way, Uncle Vernon prevents him realizing his true identity as the son of a famous “pure-blood” wizard. For example, Uncle Vernon prevents Harry from seeing letters from a mysterious writer that seeks to know his …show more content…

His face went red to green faster than a set of traffic lights (Rowling 35). In this domestic conflict, Harry fights Uncle Vernon to see the letters, which may provide some answers as to the identity of his parents. This is the initial quest for Harry’s self-identity, which reveals the potential for self-realization as a wizard. This aspect of the “real world” certainly defines a motive for “escapism” for Harry, as he seeks to find his true self, but his identity is far more complex than what the real has to offer him. In this manner, Rowling then creates the “fantasy world” of Hogwarts’s School to achieve the goal of self-realization in Harry’s quest for a true identity. Eventually, Uncle Vernon’s plot to conceal Harry’s true identity is discovered, and Harry finds allies in the magical world of Hogwart’s School. More so, Harry suddenly finds himself transported to fantasy world of Hogwart’s School, which is an educational institution (a private school) teaches young people how to become wizards. Ironically, Harry arrives at Hogwart’s School (on a mysterious train), and he is surprised that he is already a famous celebrity amongst his peers. More so, Voldemort’s attempt to kill Harry (after had killed his parents) makes him something of a

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