It has not been a surprise that over the last years the novel of a boy with a scar and magic abilities has inspired children and adults. People cannot stop reading the story of a young boy who goes to a wizard school named Hogwarts. But have they thought why readers are attracted to this book series? And how it has influenced them in different ways? These are questions, this paper tries to answer. Furthermore, the main goal will be to answer the question in what way does symbolism appear into the novel? What is the meaning of the symbols in this novel? These questions will be answered by both: analysing the context in which they appear and their possible meaning in the novel.
The answer would be simple: Due to many stylistic and rhetorical devices, J. K. Rowling enlightens the world of the and gives us the possibility to discover it. However, a big part of this input comes from symbolism she uses as an author to catch attention in a better way. An entire generation has been influenced of how the author J. K. Rowling turns the world of a book into a living one. Therefore, it is no surprise that this piece of fantasy literature has become an important object of various studies. The novel itself can be investigated in several ways. This means Harry Potter as a fantasy novel is a masterpiece of literary and stylistic devices. It can also be approached as a good example of how an author could with use of symbolism write a good novel.
In this term paper, the author would therefore like to limit the field of study to the meaning of the symbols we can find in Harry Potter. Furthermore, there will be a short definition to give an overview about what are core aspects in Heroic fantasy? This should help to get an impression of what is important in this genre and how it is presented. The term paper will be structured with a theoretical framework, the analysis and a conclusion to summarise all important results and with a look in the future concerning symbolism. There are a lot of traditional symbols with different origins and meanings. In this term paper the author is describing only the most common symbols like e.g. good versus evil, magic, names and spells and other important symbols which she considers as nameable. She will be working with the hypothesis that patterns can be found in the manner of symbolism in many various ways.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Definition of the genre Heroic fantasy
- 2. Theoretical setting for symbolism
- 3. Symbols
- 3.1 Good vs. Evil
- 3.2 Magic
- 3.3 Names and Spells
- 3.4 Well-known symbols
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. References
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to analyze the symbolism used in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, focusing on how these symbols contribute to the overall narrative and reader engagement. It begins by defining the genre of heroic fantasy and establishing a theoretical framework for understanding symbolism in literature. The analysis will then explore specific symbols within the context of the Harry Potter novels.
- The definition and characteristics of heroic fantasy as a genre.
- The theoretical framework of symbolism in literature, drawing on examples from British literature.
- Analysis of specific symbols in Harry Potter, including their meaning and significance within the narrative.
- Examination of how Rowling uses symbolism to create a rich and engaging world for the reader.
- The impact of literary history and other fantasy works on Rowling's use of symbolism.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of symbolism in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and its significance in shaping the narrative and influencing readers. It establishes the term paper's objective to analyze the meaning and function of symbols within the context of the novels. The chapter also provides a brief definition of the heroic fantasy genre, highlighting key characteristics such as the protagonist's quest, the conflict between good and evil, and the development of the hero's character. The introduction positions Harry Potter within this genre and explains the methodology of analyzing the symbolism, including exploring its various manifestations and potential ambiguities.
1.1 Definition of the genre Heroic Fantasy: This section offers a concise definition of heroic fantasy as a subgenre of fantasy literature. It characterizes heroic fantasy narratives as tales of heroes undertaking quests in far-off lands, often depicting a struggle between good and evil. The concept of the "hero" is explored, tracing its origins and typical characteristics, including relatable human flaws and a journey of self-discovery. The section emphasizes that the various elements of heroic fantasy—the quest, the hero's journey, and the conflict—interrelate to create a cohesive narrative, which is important for understanding Harry Potter's place within the genre.
2. Theoretical setting of symbolism: This chapter provides a theoretical background for understanding symbolism in literature, placing it within its historical and literary context. It explains symbolism as a literary and artistic movement, emphasizing its aim to convey emotional experiences and ideas through suggestive language and imagery. The chapter discusses the multifaceted nature of symbols, their potential for diverse interpretations depending on context, and their connections to broader themes such as mythology, religion, and legends. It highlights examples from other British literature, such as C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia" and J.R.R. Tolkien's works, to illustrate the prevalence and diverse applications of symbolism in fantasy.
Keywords
Heroic fantasy, Symbolism, J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, Literary analysis, Genre conventions, Narrative techniques, Character development, Mythology, Religious symbolism, Medievalism, Metaphor.
Harry Potter Symbolism: A Term Paper Preview - FAQ
What is the main topic of this term paper?
This term paper analyzes the symbolism used in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, focusing on how these symbols contribute to the overall narrative and reader engagement. It explores the meaning and significance of specific symbols within the context of the novels.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the definition and characteristics of heroic fantasy as a genre; the theoretical framework of symbolism in literature; analysis of specific symbols in Harry Potter; examination of how Rowling uses symbolism to create a rich and engaging world; and the impact of literary history and other fantasy works on Rowling's use of symbolism.
What is the scope of the analysis?
The analysis covers various aspects of symbolism in the Harry Potter series, including its connection to the heroic fantasy genre, the theoretical background of symbolism in literature, and specific examples of symbols like "Good vs. Evil," "Magic," "Names and Spells," and "Well-known symbols" within the books.
What is the structure of the term paper?
The paper is structured into several chapters: an introduction defining heroic fantasy and outlining the paper's objectives; a chapter on the theoretical framework of symbolism; a chapter analyzing specific symbols in Harry Potter; and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords.
What theoretical framework is used to analyze the symbolism?
The paper establishes a theoretical framework for understanding symbolism in literature, drawing on examples from British literature and exploring the multifaceted nature of symbols, their potential for diverse interpretations, and their connections to broader themes such as mythology, religion, and legends.
Which specific symbols are analyzed in the paper?
While the preview doesn't detail every symbol, it mentions categories such as "Good vs. Evil," "Magic," "Names and Spells," and "Well-known symbols" as areas of focus within the Harry Potter series.
What is the significance of the heroic fantasy genre in this analysis?
The paper defines heroic fantasy and positions Harry Potter within this genre, highlighting how the genre's conventions, such as the hero's quest and the struggle between good and evil, intersect with the use of symbolism in the novels.
What are the keywords associated with this term paper?
The keywords include Heroic fantasy, Symbolism, J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, Literary analysis, Genre conventions, Narrative techniques, Character development, Mythology, Religious symbolism, Medievalism, and Metaphor.
Where can I find a more detailed overview of each chapter?
The provided preview includes chapter summaries offering a concise overview of the content and focus of each chapter in the term paper.
What is the overall objective of this term paper?
The objective is to analyze the symbolism used in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and demonstrate how these symbols contribute to the overall narrative and reader engagement.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Symbols of Heroic Fantasy, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1027124
