The Personification of Death in Joanne K. Rowlings "The Tale of the Three Brothers" (2008). Death and the Concept of Metaphysics and Fiction

A Case Study

Fallstudie , 2020 , 50 Seiten

Anglistik - Literatur

This dissertation treats the thematic conception of the Personification of Death in "The Tale of the Three Brothers" written by the British author Joanne K. Rowling.

As a Tale destined to be read by children, the concept of "death" is not easy to explain for children; this is why Rowling personifies "death" in a male figure not only for the sake of personifying it but also to give it a positive image. Different from some Children’s Literature which presents "Death" in a frightening and horrifying image, Rowling presents a new "beautiful" image explicitly for children and implicitly for adults.

To give more significance to the personification of death, I have resorted to Karl S. Guthke’s book "The Gender of Death: A Cultural History in Art and Literature" (1999) whose main argument is not only about Death as a male figure in literature but also about the positive role that Death can play in life. Guthke prefers the personification of death through creativity and imagination which can be found in literature mainly, over considering death a shapeless idea.

In this context, the image of Death is revised far from the grim, bleak, and fearful image children, and adults alike, are associated with. Rowling leads us to the conclusion that Death is an important aspect in one’s life; it should not be feared or escaped, rather one should perceive its positive side.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Abstract

Résumé

Table of contents

General Introduction

Chapter One: Death and the Concept of Metaphysics and Fiction
Introduction
1. The Metaphysical Realm and its Philosophy Towards Literature:
A. Metaphysics:
B. Literature:
C. The Influence of the Metaphysical Philosophy on Literature:
2. Death as a Dominant Metaphysical Aspect in Literature:
A. The Meaning of Death:
B. The History of Death Personifications:
C. Death According to Ancient Civilizations:
D. The Domination of Death in Literature:
E. Death in Children’s Literature:
3. J.K Rowling’s The Tales of Beedle the Bard:
A. J.K. Rowling’s Biography:
B. A summary of Rowling’s The Tale of the Three Brothers:

Conclusion

Chapter Two: The Personification of Death in Joanne K. Rowling’s The Tales of Beedle the Bard The Tale of the Three Brothers as a Case Study
Introduction
1. The Reason Behind Rowling’s Personification of Death:
2. The Transfiguration of Death in Rowling’s The Tale of the Three Brothers:
3. The Gender of Death in Rowling’s The Tale of the Three Brothers:
4. The Three Different Approaches to Death in Rowling’s The Tale of the Three Brothers:

Conclusion

General Conclusion

Bibliography

• Erscheinungsjahr: 2020
• Seiten: 50
• Katalognummer: V1024887
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346437938
• ISBN (Buch): 9783346437945
• Sprache: Deutsch
• Schlagworte: personification, death, joanne, rowlings, tale, three, brothers, concept, metaphysics, fiction, case, study