Rowling’s classics “The Harry Potter Series,” looks at the ways in which power corrupts the minds of individuals in the society. Similarly, the series looks at the ways in which individuals use power for good and shows that power does not corrupt everyone but also has a positive impact on the way individuals behave in different spheres. Lord Voldemort is the antagonist in the story and he shows that the desire for powers destroys good intentions. The need for power in “The Half-Blood Prince” and “The Deathly Hallows” leads to a number of deaths of innocent individuals. Harry Potter, the novel’s protagonist, does not desire power, but power falls on him to lead the war against the Dark Lord and his followers. Harry shows that individuals determine the ways that power impacts on one’s lives. The fact is that power can corrupt an individual even as it adds positive values to the lives of individuals. In the Harry Potter series, Rowling uses conflict and rich imagery to bring out the theme of power and the way power influences the actions of different individuals.
The quest for power brings out the negative and positive qualities in an individual. Lord Voldemort seeks to rule the world with his dark magic. His obsession with power leads to his ultimate demise. In addition, he does the unthinkable when he splits his soul so that he could maintain his power. Voldemort does not care about the consequences of his actions as his ultimate goal supersedes moral values and practices. Individuals often dream of the power to control the things that are around them, but Rowling skillfully shows that power does not often make a good person. In fact after reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” or “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the desire for power takes on a new meaning. Voldemort shows an unquenchable lust for power as he seeks out the unconquerable, all-powerful Elder Wand. He tortures and murders anyone in his way even as he manipulates those around him to carry out his plans.
Both Harry and Voldemort share the similar of being orphans. The differences in the characters actions stem from the need for power. In fact, Rowling uses the theme of power to show the conflict that exists between good and evil in the society. The theme is common to most of children story as the fairy tale structure of good versus evil surfaces. One may argue that the problems in “The Half-Blood Prince and “The Deathly Hallows” are above the moral capacity of children, but Rowling shows that power impacts the way individuals behave in the society. In fact, the lesson in the novel is clear as Rowling teaches from an early stage that one may aspire towards power. Turner postulates that “power is an inescapable feature of human social life and structure,” (Turner, p. 35).
Nonetheless, social psychologists believe that leaders exert power over other individuals and are “more trustworthy, prestigious, valued, credible and fair,” (Turner, et.al, pg. 59). Lord Voldemort, shows that he is the ruthless leader that inspires fear in all his subjects (DH, p.11). He speaks to the followers in Chapter One of the novel and there is the fear as Malfor looks at his wife; “she stares straight ahead, quites as pales as he was” (Dh., p. 14) as Voldemort demands and takes Malfoy’s wand. The fear increases even as Voldemort’s accuses Malfoy of not wanting to help in house that Voldermort takes over. On the other hand, Harry inspires trust in his role as a leader as he listens to the opinion of Hermione and Ronald.
As one with an insurmountable power, Harry shows that he is a good leader. He remembers the servant Kreacher, (DH., p. 180). In fact, Harry does not allow the power he has to detract him from being good. It is the good that Harry displays that makes him better than Lord Voldermort. In fact Harry uses his power to win friends, embrace diversity, and avoid death. On the other hand, Voldemort embraces that which is evil. He does not have friends but instead he has followers that fear his very existence. Through Voldemort’s quest to achieve greatness, he blindly splits his soul into seven pieces. Arguably he wants to live forever and control the world. Scarpin writes: “The sheer magnitude of his evil actions spawn’sprejudice, bigotry, tyranny, [and] narcissism,” (Scarpin, par. 2)
On the other hand, Dumbledore is a powerful wizard. Many critics recognize him as one of the greatest wizard that lived at the time. Yet, Dumbledore “espouse wizardry power in his youth, similar to both his friend Grindelwald and Voldemort,” (Scarpin, par. 3). Similar to Voldemort, Dumbledore “sought power over death; but not for the same reasons,” (Scarpin, par. 3) as Voldemort. The fact is that power comes with authority and takes many forms. In the novel, there is legal power as with the Ministry of Magic’s ability to control magical events before the under-aged wizard became a certain age. Harry cannot perform magic at home and he is punished without questioning when he performs magic in “The Half- Blood Prince.”
Similarly, the Dursley’s exert power over Harry as they deprive him of a productive childhood. He faces the negative aspect of power in the only place that he calls home. The readers see that Harry has no remorse about leaving the Dursleys as he thinks” “The prospect of leaving parting – probably forever – from his aunt, uncle, and cousin was one that he was able to contemplate quite cheerfully,” (DH, p.35). Arguably, his uncle Vernon exerts his power over Harry in the harshest ways. In fact, one could say that he abuses this power as often as he can. Still, Harry hides the fact that he is far more powerful than his uncle, which is a sign that power does not always change an individual’s perception of how to control power.
In contrast to Vernon Dursley, Dumbledore has power over Harry because he is the headmaster of Hogwarts School. But, Harry does not resent Dumbledore’s power. In fact, Dumbledore’s power is a positive example of how true power makes an individual humble. The fact is that power is dynamic in individuals as the level of power in individuals change constantly based on the circumstances or the situation. Dumbledore represents legal power in the novel. In addition, the Ministry of Magic has a number of leaders who exercise their power in a positive way. The readers meet the Minister of Magic in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and realize that based on the stressor of Dumbledore’s return, he changes into an autocratic leader. When the Minister of Magic speaks down to Harry, Harry tells him: “I don’t like your methods, Minister,” (DH, p. 110).
Similarly, parental power comes with the Weasley’s power over Harry, Hermione, and their children. They firm leaders, yet their power does not allow them to make rash decisions that negatively impact those they encounter. Nonetheless, Harry shows that he respects those who have power over him at all times. He respects his uncle who treats him badly. He respects the Minister of Magic who changes because he knows he has to show more power to control the Wizard World. He respects the Weasley’s as the parental power in his life. In addition, Harry respects Dumbledore’s power as the Headmaster even when their friendship faces numerous tests and Dumbledore exerts his authority. The fact is that power comes with authority. The way one deals with one’s power comes from the way one values power.
“Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince” and the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” “create an imaginary world that is compelling for children,” (LaFond, par. 3) as they show one of the most important social issue in the modern world. The need to control and have power come about in almost every piece of literary entertainment today. Arguably, the novel represents the truth about the ways in which power corrupts different individuals. Many of the characters use their power in positive ways, while others abuse their power. Young readers of the novels learn how to understand that the supernatural world in the novels represent more than the typical flight on a broomstick. Instead, Rowling teaches the valuable lesson that access to power can change one’s life.
Conversely, Rowling shows power in different ways as she shows Voldemort, Professor Snapes, Vernon Dursley, and the Malfoys as individuals who become corrupted by power. On the other hand, Rowling shows the positive influence that power has on Harry, Dumbledore, the Weasley’s and Professor McGonall. Scrimgeour speaks of the whispers that Harry is the “chosen one,” (HBP, p. 322). One would think that this title would change Harry and make him lust after more power to defeat Voldemort, but Harry does not allow power to get the better of his good nature. The magic in the story adds to the way Rowlings wants the read to view the magnitude of abusive power. One could say that the magic in the story only adds to the lessons that the need for power can result in death or harm to individuals.
In concluding, the novels represent the way that power influences the lives of individual. Harry is powerful in his own right, but he uses his power to fight evil. Voldemort is powerful, yet he shows the typical human desire to flaunt his power and to always want more power. He cannot be content with the simple power of controlling his followers. Instead, he wants to take over the entire country. Dumbledore is even more powerful than, Voldemort and Harry, but he too uses his power to exact good in those he interacts with on a daily basis. The fact is that power does not change individuals; it is greed that leaves the individual in a position to want more power.
Works Cited
Lafond, Linda (2014) “What’s the Harm in Harry Potter? Writer for Living the Life” Web.
Accessed December 3, 2014
Turner, John C. (et. al) “Identity Confers Power: The New View of Leadership in Social
Psychology1 Web. December 3, 2014
Rowling, JK (2005) “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” First Edition. Bloomsbury
Publishing, London. Print. ISBN 978 0 7475 9105 4
Rowling, JK (2005) “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” First Edition. Bloomsbury
Publishing, London. Print. ISBN 0 7475 8108 8
Scarpin, Robert R., (n.d) “The Themes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – An Analysis
of the themes, Motifs and Symbols” Web. Accessed: December 3, 2014
