Archetype Essay (Harry Potter)

Zakaria Mahamed
Mrs. Rogers
World Literature
27 October 2012
Archetypes in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Archetypes have been here as about as long as the stories about gods and heroes. Archetypes are themes that have been used for several thousand generations. They are what shape modern film and literature today. Many movies and literature today are based on archetypes. While watching the film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I noticed that it has the archetypes of the unhealable wound, the initiate, and good vs. evil. Every hero has a weakness. The unhealable wound is either physical or psychological and cannot be fully healed. Harry, the lead character in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, fits this description. He was cursed by Voldemort at age one. The wound aches often when he is near danger. The Scar is not only physical but psychological as well. Another Example of the unhealable wound is the cruelty of his aunt and uncle. The reason his aunt and uncle resented him was because he was magical and they were afraid. As a result of this he was forced deal with little to no food, and pain beyond belief. Harry must overcome these obstacles to learn about an opportunity to improve his life for the better. The archetype the unhealable wound was proven here physically and psychologically. Harry must find a way to cope with losses, pain, and newfound powers because every hero must become an initiate. The initiate is a young hero who has to undergo some training. Harry the young hero in this film is sent to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where they will train him in the art of witchcraft. Harry is the protagonist of the film. He is the individual continuously facing challenges. He is new to witchcraft living with muggles his whole life. There is no positive figure in his life at this time; he is learning for himself. In the beginning of the film Harry learns about his past and the past and what had happened to his parents. In order to survive Harry must learn magic at a increasing pace. Hence he endures numerous hours of schooling. The training which Harry must endure will train him for his final battle of good vs. evil. The final battle represents the symbolic archetype of good vs. evil. Good is represented in many ways, Dumbledore; Headmaster at Hogwarts is wise and advises Harry to look in the glass for what he wants. He trusted Harry to protect the stone. Harry, the main character is the essence of good. He begins as a victim, grows and learns, and ultimately becomes a hero. Evil is represented very well in this movie as well. There is a professor who is a host for the mind of Voldemort. He uses this host to spy on the moves of Dumbledore and the stone. Voldemort posses an upper hand throughout most of the film until the fight. Voldemort forces the professor to go after Harry, even though it’s not a good choice. Naturally good overcomes evil and this film isn’t an exception. Harry not only saves the stone but destroys Voldemort as well. Upon analysis of this movie, the archetypes of the unhealable wound, the initiate, and good vs. evil are evident. While current spectators believe themselves more sophisticated than those who entertained themselves with stories about gods and heroes, archetypes have stood as symbols and are significant to literature today. People will always want a hero battling, training, and overcoming evil on his journey. These archetypes are well represented in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.