Light is used at different times throughout the series to figuratively showcase the good and also used to literally demonstrate the path to Christianity.

 

Two of the biggest instances of light can be seen in the use of the deluminator in the last book and the use of Patronus’ throughout the series.

           

Ron uses the Deluminator in the last book to find his way back to his friends Harry and Hermione. Ron had previously left the trio after having a falling out. He chooses to leave them and go out on his own.

 

This departure has many potential meanings. Including a representation of Ron leaving the church, or leaving God or leaving the ‘good’ path for another potentially bad path.

 

In making this choice he cuts his ties with what is good and what has brought him happiness and safety up until then. He puts himself in danger by leaving and going on alone.

           

Eventually he realizes his mistake and comes back. But, in order to do so he needs guidance; he needs guidance from the light. He receives this help when he uses his deluminator. The device releases a light, he then hears Hermione’s voice (which could be seen as a voice of reason, or a call from God) and then the light goes into his chest and he knows that he can get back to his friends. In following the light, Ron is able to return to the good path. Essentially returning to his church, and to his God.

           

This story illuminates, literally the path that is encouraged in the Christian faith. It warns of what you will lose if you stray from that path. Ron loses his friends, safety and happiness. Using the light orb to demonstrate this makes the lesson even that more attainable and understandable to young readers that will be reading this tale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

The Patronus is also another great instance of the use of light to demonstrate the good in the Harry Potter series. Patronuses are  depicted to be white glowing animal figures that are used by magical folk to protect themselves from dementors. They are literally used to protect oneself from the evil that exists in the world.

           

But, Patronuses are not easy spells to conjure. They take great skill, focus and a mind full of good memories. Not just anyone could conjure such a spell. But if one believes hard enough and has enough thoughts of happiness one can be safe against evil.

           

Harry is able to conjure this spell in Book 3 to protect someone he loves (Sirius). He uses his happy memories of his parents and friends, thoughts of goodness essentially to ward off the evil dementors.

           

In this case, the light ultimately overcomes the darkness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where there are images of light there too are images of darkness.

           

Two examples of the darkness in the series are Dementors and boggarts. Christianson and Partridge describe the Dementors as,

 

 “a particularly powerful image of perversion, feeding directly on the human soul, particularly on a distressed person.” (Christanson and Partridge, 192)

 

           

Dementors illustrate the power darkness can have on a person that is afflicted, essentially a person that is lost, or who is sad and unable to fight back against the darkness.

           

From a Christian point of view Dementors look like a creature that seeks those who might be straying or having a crisis of faith. These black-cloaked figures pray on those who feel conflicted and suck out their soul. Thus, completely turning them onto the dark path.

           

As previously stated the way in which to overcome these symbols of darkness is to use the Patronus spell. The Patronus spell is a spell that uses light and happiness to compel darkness and sadness away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boggarts too are used as symbols of darkness in the series, but in a less oppressive sort of way. No one knows what they truly look like, which makes them quite menacing, but what makes them more menacing is in the forms they do take. A boggart transforms into whatever the person that stands before it fears the most.

           

The way in which to defeat these is to say the spell “ridiculous” and turn the Boggart into something silly, ultimately overcoming your fear.

           

Overcoming fear is important to the battle over evil. Not being afraid of what is evil is necessary in order to defeat it.

           

Harry and all wizards must do this to defeat Voldemort. They have to overcome their fear of Voldemort, first of his name and then the man himself.

           

Overcoming fear, and overcoming evil go hand in hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(citations for images and videos can be found on sources page)