This term paper will deal with the topic of Harry's quest for a father and how he deals with his destiny of being an orphan. First, the topic of the orphaned hero which is a recurring pattern in literature will be shortly looked at. The following will mainly focus on Harry's four father figures and the two anti-fathers that have a crucial role in the story.
Although the Harry Potter series can not be considered as very old (the first novel by Joanne Rowling was released in 1997), it surely is a modern classic of English literature. There are many factors that explain the enormous popularity of the books, which are not limited to a special age group, but one surely is that Harry Potter is a series that deals with a variety of life's aspects. Its storyline beholds many facets of problems and quests the characters have to undergo. This term paper will focus on one special property of the story that can be found in the first three novels of the Harry Potter series but finds its peak in "The Prisoner of Azkaban": Harry's quest for a father figure.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Orphaned Hero as a Recurring Pattern in Fictional Stories
- Harry Potter as an Orphan and His Quest for a Father
- Harry's Four Father Figures and Their Structure
- The Biological Father: James Potter
- The Grandfather-Figure: Albus Dumbledore
- The Teacher: Remus Lupin
- The Godfather: Sirius Black
- The Anti-Fathers Vernon Dursley and Lucius Malfoy
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper examines Harry Potter's quest for a father figure in the first three novels of the series, specifically focusing on the peak of this theme in The Prisoner of Azkaban. It analyzes how Harry's search for a father substitute is shaped by his experience of being an orphan and his highly idealized image of his deceased father.
- The Orphaned Hero as a Literary Trope
- Harry's Search for a Father Figure
- The Impact of Harry's Idealized Father Image
- The Role of Father Figures in Harry's Life
- The Influence of Anti-Father Figures
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, highlighting Harry Potter's quest for a father figure as a central theme in the series. It also introduces the concept of anti-fathers, which play a significant role in the story. The second chapter explores the recurring pattern of the orphaned hero in literature, using Harry Potter as a prime example. It delves into the psychological and narrative significance of the orphaned hero's journey, highlighting the challenges of identity formation and the quest for belonging.
The third chapter focuses on Harry Potter's personal experience as an orphan and his longing for a father figure. It examines how his relationships with various characters, particularly Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black, serve as attempts to fill the void left by his biological father. This chapter explores the complex dynamics between Harry's need for a father figure and his idealized image of James Potter.
Chapter four delves deeper into the structure of Harry's four father figures, exploring the unique roles and influences they have on his life. This section examines the dynamic between Harry's yearning for a father and his disillusionment with the imperfections of his substitutes.
The fifth chapter examines the concept of anti-fathers in the context of Harry's life. It analyzes the contrasting parental styles of Vernon Dursley and Lucius Malfoy and how their actions and beliefs contribute to Harry's understanding of fatherhood.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The paper delves into the themes of orphanhood, father figures, anti-fathers, identity formation, idealized father image, and the psychological impact of loss. It explores the literary trope of the orphaned hero, examining its significance in shaping narrative development and character motivations.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2016, The Structure and Function of the Four Father Figures and the Two Anti-Fathers in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1392040
