I May Not Know Who I Am, But I Know Who I'm Not: Self-Awareness and Actualization in the <i>Harry Potter</i> Series

  • Brandy Isaacs Kansas State University

Abstract

There is little doubt that the Harry Potter series demonstrates the classic struggle of good and evil for which many critics applaud; readers can easily identify Harry as the embodiment of good and Voldemort as the embodiment of evil. While there has been much discussion of Harry's role exemplifying a good and moral character, little has been written of Voldemort's development. This article argues that the key to understanding this aspect rests in the relationships and development of the key characters. The psychological development of, and interaction between, the characters the characters exemplify one of the most important aspects of the series: individual choice.

Author Biography

Brandy Isaacs, Kansas State University
Bavid Beagley is Lecturer in Children's Literature and Literacy at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus, Victoria, Australia, where he teaches units in Genres, History, Australian and Post-colonial children's literature. He has previously taught in secondary schools, and has been a school and university librarian.
Issue
Vol. 16 No. 1 (2012)
Section
Emerging Voices
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