Introduction
Meaning in life (MIL) is a concept which is fundamental to numerous individuals as it is based on their values and it can be a source of motivation. According to Allan (2014), virtues and character strengths have been linked augmented levels of fulfillment and meaning in an individual’s life. In the book “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” the concept of meaning in life is illustrated by a young orphan who pursues a great destiny. This story follows a young boy – Harry Potter who lost his parents at the age of one year after they were murder by the evil wizard, Lord Voldermort. Despite the numerous challenges Harry faces, he eventually finds his meaning in life.
Concept of Meaning in Life in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Character Strength and Meaning in Life
Meaning in life is an invaluable concept in positive psychology that has been linked to living better lives; character strengths contribute considerably to this concept. Character strengths are an important element of a living a fulfilling and meaningful life as these make individuals good people who are able to achieve a good life. Strengths can be characterized as morally valued, ubiquitous, or even fulfilling. Developing character strengths often leads to improved well-being in terms of academic satisfaction, improved mental health and psychological wellbeing (Allan, 2014).
Harry Potter evidences character strengths such as fairness, bravery, kindness and love in different instances. Harry illustrates tolerance; he faces torment as he is treated poorly and even lives under the stairs while under the care of his aunt and uncle. When the school year ends, Harry returns to the Dursley’s residence despite them treating him so poorly. At his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers that he too like his parents is a wizard and he receives a letter of acceptance into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Rowling, 2014); however he maintains humility which is morally valued character strength.
Balancing Character Strengths for MIL
Orientation toward meaning in life can be influenced by character strengths however it is necessary to have balance within strengths. A recent research suggests the need to balance character strengths which are inherently interdependent in order for an individual to live a fulfilling life; Aristotle’s call to reach a mean of strengths rather than enhance the current strengths evidences the need for balance in order to achieve meaning in life (Allan, 2014). Case in point, a person who is cultivates honesty considerably might be considered rude or insensitive and thus turning the strength of this virtue into a vice; however a balance between honesty and kindness presents a different outcome. Allan (2014), suggests introducing practical wisdom into the equation to balance different character strengths – using a particular virtue based on the uniqueness of a situation rather than randomly.
Harry makes new friends – Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as well as an enemy – Draco Malfoy, who Harry considers arrogant and prejudicial (Rowling, 2014). This evidences a balance in Harry’s character strengths as he pairs honesty and kindness. He is honest with himself as he realizes that Draco would not make a good friend and thus resists his advances of friendship. Similarly, he is kind to Ron and Hermione who become his friends and bring meaning to his life.
Agreement of Character Strengths and MIL
Agreement between character strengths predicts meaning in life. Character strengths are interdependent and therefore pairing them accurately increases meaning in life. According to the character strength theory, the use of one’s strengths is an essentially meaningful experience (Allan, 2014). By pairing a set of strengths an individual gains more meaning in life. Allan (2014), found that some of pairs of character strengths result in higher meaning in life when the pair is in agreement. For instance love and social intelligence, and honesty and kindness however the bravery-fairness pair is an exception.
In the text, Harry Potter illustrates how to pair character strengths – bravery and fairness, when he encounters Quirrell who is possessed by Voldemort; he attempts to defeat Voldemort while saving Quirrell’s life; Quirell who is partly possessed by Voldemort and who had been a follower of Voldemort dies when his possession ends. Despite of the failed effort to save Quirrell, Harry learns from Dumbledore that his mother had sacrificed her life to save his and that he was protected by a charm (Rowling, 2014). His experiences and expression of character strength lead to Harry learning the true nature of his mother’s passing which is information that brings meaning to his life. He realizes that he must use his life and wizardry for good to honor his mother’s sacrifice.
Meaning in Life for Motivation
Meaning in Life is a source of motivation. In many cases people behave in a manner that is consistent with their deeply held values (Tang et al., 2011). When Harry is assigned to the Slytherin house at Hogwarts he refuses as this house is potentially for dark wizards (Rowling, 2014). Harry Potter’s choice is based on his values; he does not wish to become a dark wizard and thus opts out of staying at the house and risking his values. Harry learns of Voldermort’s plot to steal the Philosopher’s Stone from a secret liaison with a centaur. In an effort to protect the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry and his two friends must overcome obstacles using their unique skills. Harry Potter’s motivation to protect the Philosopher’s Stone can be explained by his studentship at Hogwarts and the need to protect his new friends; these bring meaning into Harry Potter’s life and thus influence his decisions and give him motivation.
Emotional Experience and MIL
Emotional experiences affect an individual’s meaning in life in different ways. Emotions affect behavior whether approach-related or avoidance-related behavior. Emotions such as anger and sadness are associated with high or low motivational intensity and thus can influence a person’s level of meaning in life (Tang et al., 2011). Research indicates a strong link between positive affect and MIL; extraversion which is a personality trait associated with positive affect is also linked to meaning in life. Emotional experiences which influence attention, physiological responses, and cognition such as anger can lead to motivational intensity (Tang et al., 2011). Harry Potter lost his parents at an early age in an incidence which he could not avoid and this might have sparked curiosity in his life which motivated him to embark on different adventures while at Hogwarts. Curiosity is an important factor of motivation and consequently meaning in life. Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione’s interests are peaked by extracurricular affairs of the school such as the three-headed dog standing guard of a suspicious door. When Harry is gifted an invisibility cloak for Christmas he uses it to make further discovery of the secrets at school and discovers the philosopher’s stone that leads to him learning about Voldemort who killed his parents and orphaned him (Rowling, 2014).
Conclusion
Meaning in life can be derived from different sources and can affect an individual in many ways. Character strength is considered an important element of meaning in life as it influences people in different ways. Moral values such as honesty and kindness as well as other values such as bravery and fairness promote a person’s MIL as they make it a core part of their life to exhibit these traits in their actions and words. Emotional experiences also influence MIL as a particular emotion can cause a person to behave in a particular manner thus giving their life meaning. Harry Potter’s emotional experience of losing his parents as well as his character strengths of fairness, bravery, and kindness forged his path at Hogwarts which gave him new meaning in life.
References
Allan, B. A. (2014). Balance among character strengths and meaning in life, Journal of Happiness Studies, 16, 1247-1261.
Rowling, J. K. (2014). Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone. New York: Bloomsbury,
Tang, D., Kelley, N. J., Hicks, J. A. & Harmon-Jones, E. (2011). Emotions and meaning in life: A motivational perspective.
