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Simbolism in Harry Potter Series

Decent Essays

A main rhetorical device that appears throughout the entire Harry Potter series is symbolism. There are many names and items that stand for something else and many are introduced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. First, Harry’s scar represents the true love parents have for their children and how they are willing to do anything, including being killed, in order to save them. Next, the Mirror of Erised shows a person their truest desires and everything he or she would want in life. Thirdly, each wizard’s wand is representative of his or her character and personality and if the improper one is used, terrible events will occur. Finally, the names of the founders of the four Hogwarts Houses are symbols of the core beliefs and values of each. The first symbol that is introduced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is Harry’s scar from Voldemort’s attack. Lily Potter did not have to die, but she jumped in front of the curse directed at Harry to save him, an act of true love for her son. Hagrid states that “[it] was no ordinary cut. That’s what yeh get when a powerful, evil curse touches yeh…but it didn’t work on you” (Rowling 55). However, Albus Dumbledore later explains to Harry that “your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark” (Rowling 299). Although it is a constant reminder that Voldemort attempted to kill him and murdered his

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