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Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

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as Voldemort does, while “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” depicts Harry’s and Voldemort’s<br />

conflicting ideas about defeating death. The use of biblical allusion depicts Voldemort as the Satan figure<br />

who wishes to master death through immortality. His fear of death leads him to invert Christian ideas and<br />

practices in his fruitless attempts to achieve his ultimate goal, conquering death. Harry, conversely, never<br />

wishes for immortality despite the similarities between himself and Voldemort and the abundance of death<br />

in his life. He accepts death and willingly faces it for the betterment of all. This healthy attitude makes<br />

Harry a worthy Master of Death, as proven by his defeat of death through his Christ-like passion.<br />

Rowling’s depiction of Harry as a Christ figure illustrates how he successfully defeats “the last enemy,”<br />

gaining life for his fellow witches and wizards and cementing his place the hearts of millions of readers<br />

worldwide.<br />

Bibliography<br />

Bell, Luke. Baptizing Harry Potter: A Christian Reading of J. K. Rowling. Mahwah, NJ: HiddenSpring, 2010.<br />

Caldecott, Leonie. “Christian Themes in Harry Potter: A Wizard’s Mission.” Christian Century (15 Jan.<br />

2008): 24-27. Literature Resource Center. Web. 10 Sept. 2010.<br />

Duthie, Peggy Lin. “The Potterverse and the Pulpits: Beyond Apologia and Bannings.” Reading Harry Potter<br />

Again: New Critical Essays. Ed. Giselle Liza Anatol. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2009. 31-<br />

46.<br />

Gibbons, Sarah E. “Death and Rebirth: Harry Potter & the Mythology of the Phoenix.” Scholarly Studies in<br />

Harry Potter: Applying Academic Methods to a Popular Text. Ed. Cynthia Whitney Hallett. Studies in<br />

British Literature. Vol. 99. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press, 2005. 85-105.<br />

Granger, John. The Deathly Hallows Lectures: The Hogwarts Professor Explains Harry’s Final Adventure. Allentown,<br />

PA: Zossima Press, 2008.<br />

--. How Harry Cast His Spell: The Meaning behind the Mania for J. K. Rowling’s Bestselling Books. 3 rd Ed. Carol<br />

Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.<br />

Holy Bible: Authorized or King James Version. Wichita KS: Heirloom Bible Edition, 1988.<br />

Killinger, John. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Harry Potter. Macon, GA: Mercer <strong>University</strong> Press, 2009.<br />

281

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