With rumors that a live-action Harry Potter TV series might be in development at HBO Max (via The Hollywood Reporter), it’s clear that the franchise will continue to influence the generations to come. The movies were popular thanks to their epic CGI, battle sequences, cast, and story. For many, the series means a whole lot more.
The characters in JK Rowling’s fantasy franchise are deeply relatable because they personify the power of love and embody the principles of friendship. Even though Harry Potter is a young adult book (and film adaptation) series featuring magic, witches, wizards, lore, and an overarching quest to halt evil, this collection of novels is grounded in wisdom. With their assessing glance, these Redditors extrapolate plenty of life lessons from their favorite parts of the stories.
Magic Is Special
Redditor Bengaliwolf muses the wands and spells are great, but “Even having magical abilities wouldn’t solve my problems.” Children experience wonder and faith without needing reality and evidence. Adults tend to grow out of this sense of blind belief, but magic encourages people to experience things previously thought impossible, like flight, potions, and charms.
While magic might make day-to-day life easier, it wouldn’t erase life’s challenges: finding a job, maintaining healthy relationships, raising children, dealing with loss, etc. Part of life is to accept the joys it gives and the pain it doles out. Magic cannot resolve those things, but it would make chores less dull!
Love Conquers All
One of the main themes Harry Potter taught Lily and James Potter sacrifice themselves for Harry’s safety, Molly Weasley duels Bellatrix LeStrange to defend Ginny, Narcissa Malfoy defies The Dark Lord for Draco’s sake and Mrs. Finnigan seeks to protect Seamus from Hogwarts’ controversy.
A parents’ devotion is to their kids. Whether misguided or astute, the franchise shows an array of people who all have one common goal – good parents aren’t perfect, but they should love, encourage, protect, and nurture their children.
Family And Friends
Accordingtojazzy finds it inspiring that the seven-book series promotes, “family isn’t the one you are born into.” Over the last couple of decades, the notion of family has become less defined by biological parents, siblings, relatives, and lineage.
Harry Potter has no shortage of true friends and parental figures along his journey at Hogwarts who and stand by him throughout his darkest moments and formidable challenges. “Framily … a new portmanteau word, blending friend(s) and family” (via Macmillan Dictionary) are designated trusted and significant people within an individual’s inner circle.
Fifty Shades Of Morality
“Morality is grey, no one is entirely good or evil,” emphasizes Ideastaster. “Everyone deserves a chance at redemption.” It’s easy to assign broad labels like right and wrong. Yet, the reality is rarely quite as neat. From a school bully to a solemn father, Draco Malfoy is an extremely flawed character.
Despite the chance to restore his family’s honor by killing Albus Dumbledore, Malfoy hesitates to commit murder. Though he has little qualms about tormenting Harry and his friends, at his core, he is not evil. Malfoy’s character mirrors the idea that people and their intricacies are more likely various shades of gray. Ethically, circumstances can lean objectively in one direction, but it would be a mistake to neglect further analysis.
The Eye Of Truth
The Ministry of Magic tries to tarnish Harry Potter’s reputation by painting him as a liar and denying Voldemort’s return.
In real life, it can be more difficult to discern truths and lies, especially when there is a giant conspiracy with thousands believing in its validity. It’s crucial to keep an impartial eye when mired in opposing discourse, particularly political debates and moral dilemmas.
Superficial Approval Is Problematic
Ron Weasley’s biggest anxiety is his uncertain worth in his family. In light of this, obsessoverfiction reflects, “There’ll be a day you have to put your insecurities aside, and that day you’ll start living.” Often, the source of diffidence is fear, which is kindled by a human desire to measure up in others’ eyes.
Seeking some external validation is neither inherently wrong nor unnecessary, but those who derive confidence through establishing their own values and putting them into practice may find that overall satisfaction is sustainable. Confronting – rather than evading – insecurities opens the mind to maturation.
A Healthy Dose Of Happiness
WatsonofBakerStreet loves when Dumbledore profoundly reminds the students, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only re to turn on the light.” A healthy dose of optimism in times of distress is important; it’s up to the individual to select their mood and how to approach various situations.
When confronted with obstacles, there are two options: fold under the pressure or rise to the occasion. Even if the tasks are daunting, remaining positive can lead to overcoming problems by focusing on compartmentalizing each challenge into feasible steps.
Characteristics Only Define Perceptions
After a brief encounter with Tom Riddle, Harry Potter notices an unsettling amount of similarities. The young wizard its that the Sorting Hat nearly placed him in Slytherin. Dumbledore sagely advises, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities” (via tiny_specks).
Whether ive or proactive, each choice to avoid or achieve builds a picture that reflects the personality. Perception of an individual’s character may be generalized based on broad traits, but it is the sum of past decisions and potential future growth that actually defines who a person is.
Over-Ambition, A Man’s Folly
Dumbledore seems to make a silly, offhand remark about not receiving a holiday gift: “One can never have enough socks.” However, Aliwhatever notes that “socks” is the professor’s vision in the enchanted Mirror of Erised.
His wish illustrates Dumbledore’s regret over pursuing his ambitions over his family. His real hearts’ desire is “his family alive, whole and happy … reconciled to him” (via JK Rowling on The Leaky Cauldron). Socks are a metaphor that even family – including “unconditional” love – is finite. Nothing exists in endless quantities. Pursuits for glory and wealth should never eclipse the value of faithful friends and family.
Opening Death’s Door
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” Dumbledore’s inspiring analogy sticks with Laki79. Death is an essential part of the human experience. All living beings have their season – from the tiny fruit fly to the giant tortoise, everything eventually comes and goes.
While life is about experiences in fellowship with others, the beyond is resolved individually. Some don’t believe in an afterlife (be that heaven, reincarnation, enlightenment, or otherwise), but those who do entertain these paths find that death is but the next stage of an eternal journey.
