Harry Potter, the Familiar Hero

Thèse de Bachelor , 2010 , 33 Pages , Note: 1,3

Philologie Anglaise - Littérature

Since the publication of the first book in the series in 1997, Harry Potter has become a worldwide phenomenon. One can think of several explanations for this lasting popularity. Maybe one reason for it lies in the use of certain archetypes and story arcs that can be found in popular tales.

This thesis will examine in what way and to what extent Harry Potter can be added to the archetypal heroes the American mythologist Joseph Campbell has described in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" in 1949, first by lining out the different stages Campbell laid out in his book and then by applying them to the Harry Potter novels. The analysis is divided according to the three stages Campbell uses (Departure - Initiation - Return).

Contents

List of Abbreviations

1. Introduction: Harry Potter and the Monomyth

2. Departure
2.1 The Call to Adventure
2.2 Refusal of the Call
2.3 Supernatural Aid
2.4 The Crossing of the First Threshold
2.5 The Belly of the Whale

3. Initiation
3.1 The Road of Trials
3.2 The Meeting With the Goddess
3.3 Woman as Temptress
3.4 Atonement with the Father
3.5 Apotheosis
3.6 The Ultimate Boon

4. Return
4.1 Refusal of the Return
4.2 The Magic Flight
4.3 Rescue from Without
4.4 The Crossing of the Return Threshold
4.5 Master of the Two Worlds
4.6 Freedom to Live

5. Conclusion: Harry Potter, the Familiar Hero

6. Bibliography

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

• Université: Ruhr-University of Bochum (Anglistik/Amerikanistik)
• Note: 1,3
• Auteur: Maximilian Horsthemke (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2010
• Pages: 33
• N° de catalogue: V171223
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640903641
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640903726
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Harry Potter, Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Mythology, Heroes