Harry Potter: Brief Analysis
"The Boy Who Lived," Socio-Psycological Perspective
J.K. Rowling created a phenomenally popular series with "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." The success of this epic may have sociological and psychological roots.
Introduction to Harry Potter
Voldemort (evil wizard), murders Harry's parents. Orphaned, Harry is placed at the doorstep of his aunt and uncle (Petunia and Vernon Dursley) by Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry begins the bulk of his formative years in this family unit that does not want him (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone).
Harry endures the Dursley's forced tolerance of him. At the age of 11, he receives an invitation to attend the Hogwart's school. Thus begins the revelation and search regarding his and his parents' identities, as well as the struggle between his versus Voldemort's survival, ...Neither can live while the other survives... is the prophecy (Order of the Phoenix).
Sociological Perspective
Half of the marriages, roughly, in the United States (for example), end in divorce. With the end of the marriage, the logical aftermath for the children, (if the family was relatively functionable), is the end of safety, security and structure and the creation of anxiety and fear. A child's known world ends and a Pandora's Box of possible problems is opened. Logically, dysfunctional families would possess their own measures of insecurities and stressors for children which could be worsened or lessened with divorce. In either instance, children become introduced to life changing events.
Psychological Perspective
Abraham Maslow, American psychologist, theorized a Hierarchy of Needs. This hierarchy is pictured as a pyramid. The foundation is comprised of meeting biological, bodily needs progressing upward to emotional, psychological and spiritual needs. When all needs are satisfied, the individual moves to a higher level.
Harry Potter
From the beginning, Harry's life in and out of Hogwarts is replete with trouble and trauma. His formative needs according to Maslow's hierarchy are inadequately met. The unconditional love of an adoring family is not available to him. His cousin, Dudley Dursley bullies him, Petunia and Vernon would like him to be invisible (mental/emotional abuse). Except for school, he's rarely allowed any community activity (The Sorcerer's Stone).
Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle are the bullies at Hogwarts. Voldemort and his cronies (Deatheaters) are Harry's predators.
Harry does find some comfort in the magical world. The biological family he lost is replaced by the Weasley family. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger become his fast friends along with a few of the Hogwart teachers. Harry even finds an appointed godfather, only to lose him, another trauma.
Conclusion
Children who have experienced broken homes, for whatever reason, have lost out on a level of security and sense of belonging that the Hierarchy of Needs suggests is necessary for sound development. Harry Potter lost out as well with the death of his parents and placement in a home that clearly did not welcome him. Harry is left to figure out life on his own with some help from his magical friends.
Perhaps, for all those children and children at heart who long for a secure foundation, Harry's character is one that can be easily identified with.
What does it feel like to be threatened as a child? Harry Potter knows. What does it feel like to lose one's family? Harry Potter knows that, too. Know a bully? A predator? Harry Potter is well acquainted with them.
Harry Potter is a safe harbor for the hurting. Not only a safe harbor, but, perhaps the popularity of Harry's tale hits the bullseye of many abandoned, hurting hearts.
