Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

attempts to curse them, but none of his spells hold because Harry’s selfless sacrifice protects them from
harm. This references the way “Christ’s sacrifice [broke] the Devil’s power over humanity” as both Harry
and Christ protect their respective worlds from their respective Satan figures through their willingness to
die (124). Harry disappears from sight under the Cloak during the ensuing fight in an allusion to Christ’s
disappearance from the tomb, but, like Christ, he is not truly gone.
When Harry finally reveals himself, he explains how he came to be the true master of the Elder
Wand and begs Voldemort to “try for some remorse” (DH 741). Voldemort refuses and the final
showdown between Rowling’s Christ and Satan takes place as “a red-gold glow burst suddenly across the
enchanted sky above them [and] an edge of dazzling sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window”
(743). Harry’s final confrontation with Voldemort fittingly takes place at dawn as dawn is “the traditional
and natural symbol for Christ’s resurrection” (Bell 59). It brings light to the darkness as John explains in his
Gospel: “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1.5). Just as Christ
brings light into the world through his resurrection, Harry’s defeat of Voldemort rids the Wizarding World
of its darkness. Harry lives up to his title of Master of Death by overcoming Voldemort and his desired
“flight from death.” Voldemort dies, taking his negative views on death with him, while Harry lives on as an
embodiment of both Christ and Christian views of death. Rowling concludes her use of biblical allusion
through dawn symbolism which shows that “the sun rises, as Christ rises, bringing life to all” (Bell 60). She
leaves her hero to celebrate as Hogwarts “[blazes] with life and light,” confident in her characterization of
Harry as the series’ Christ figure (DH 744).
Despite claims to the contrary, it becomes obvious through close reading of Rowling’s Harry Potter
series that biblical allusions are employed both to reinforce the theme of mastering death and to characterize
the hero and villain. Her references to Matthew 6:21 and 1 Corinthians 15:26 may be the only two biblical
quotes in the seven novels, but they embody Rowling’s main theme perfectly. “Where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also” stands as warning against putting one’s earthly self before one’s heavenly self
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