Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

established in the books as a gateway between two words, and Harry would associate it with moving on
between two words” (Granger 117). When she refers to “King’s Cross” working well, Rowling means it
reflects back Christ’s biblical story well. During his crucifixion, onlookers mocked Christ and “set up over
his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Matt. 27.37). Therefore,
Christ’s Cross equates to King’s Cross. Through their King’s Cross, Christians can defeat death by living
after it. In the same way, Harry wavers between life and death in King’s Cross and is given the choice to
“board a train” if he chooses not to go back (DH 722). However, Harry understands that by going back he
can make the world a better place, so he chooses to return to his life. This choice allows him to fully
become the Christ figure Rowling characterizes him as throughout the series.
In case her readers have missed the previous biblical allusions comparing Harry’s death to Christ’s,
Rowling finalizes the idea when Harry returns from King’s Cross. Narcissa Malfoy’s “nails [pierce] him” as
she checks Harry for signs of life and Voldemort celebrates his supposed victory over the Boy Who Lived by
preforming the Cruciatus Curse on him (DH 726). Essentially “the Dark Lord [crucifies] Harry Potter,” but
Harry’s crucifixion, like Christ’s, fails (Killinger 85). Christ’s crucifixion does not hold because “he was
crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God” (2 Cor. 13.4). His resurrection proves his
crucifixion failed because it shows he lives beyond it. Similarly, Harry is protected by his sacrifice, so
Voldemort’s malicious curse causes him no pain and the crucifixion of the Christ-like Harry fails. This
scene, when combined with Harry’s death and time in limbo, creates “an ending featuring a loving sacrifice,
King’s Cross, nails…and a resurrection from the dead that defeats an incarnation of death” (How Harry 76).
With the obvious ties to Christ’s journey in these scenes, Rowling masterfully finalizes her characterization
of Harry as a Christ figure.
Harry’s transformation into Christ figure complete, all that remains is the defeat of the Satan
figure. Harry feigns death as Hagrid carries him from the forest in his arms, an image much like
Michelangelo’s Pietà (Granger 124). Voldemort announces Harry’s death to the awaiting crowd and
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