Rowling’s Harry Potter series depicts the title character, Harry Potter, as he matures over seven years from an eleven-year-old orphaned boy to a young adult attending the secret Wizarding school  Hogwarts. While here, he is forced to fight the evil Lord Voldemort, but he also makes close friends and learns to love (some) of his teachers along the way; specifically, Professor Dumbledore. In the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, however, Harry learns of the muggle (non-magical) hating past of his beloved Headmaster Dumbledore. He then faces the morally ambiguous decision of whether to accept Dumbledore’s past and the fact that he has changed for the better, or continue to hold Dumbledore’s past beliefs and actions against him. Harry comes to realize that evil is not actually as easily defined as it is with Lord Voldemort. He eventually learns to accept that people may commit evil acts or have evil beliefs, but people are also able to change and feel remorse for these evil acts or beliefs.​



     This morally ambiguous “quest” that Harry embarks on leads him to the realization that life does not always have clearly defined answers. Rowling skillfully depicts morally complex themes that both the reader and Harry must question, and as the story draws to a close, a bond is formed between the reader and Harry. Complex characters and a heartfelt story make this a book that young adults can grow and mature with, just as Harry does throughout the series.



Rowling, J. K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Vancouver, BC:

     Raincoast.

Reviews

For some great movie reviews, click here and here.



Extras​

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     There are also lots of great book trailers out there, but this time, I have decided to leave you with something a little different (though still semi-related): A Very Potter Musical by StarKid. Check it out!



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