Week of 10/14/19
For
this week’s topic on Spiritual Education I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, by J.K.
Rowling. The main character, Harry Potter, had dealt with many issues and
challenges during his first eleven years. His family, the Dursleys, were the
direct cause to this. For example, they made him live in a closet under the
staircase and be their personal housemaid. These situations have not stopped
him from staying hopeful that one day things will get better. That day comes on
his eleventh birthday when he discovers he’s no ordinary wizard.
Once Harry discovers that he is the
famous young wizard that survived Voldemore’s evil Wizard powers, this did not
inflate his ego. Instead, he stays humble throughout this intense but amazing
life change. During his train ride to Hogswarts, he is given many chances to
brag about his identity; fortunately, he continues to stay modest. This is a
common theme in the book – the given opportunities to boast about himself. This
is because it’s not in Harry’s character; he likes the simplicity of things and
cares more about doing the right thing. He’s also concerned about being able to
live up to the reputation of ‘the boy who lived’ and fitting into the wizarding
world.
Harry is not as perfect as he seems,
after all he is an eleven-year-old boy. He still has a lot to learn, such as knowing
what he wants in life. Throughout the book, we witness moments of greed with
many characters, for example, his cousin, Dudley. A pivotal moment in the book
we learn about differences between needs and wants. This is when Harry comes
across the mirror that reveals one’s deepest desires. For him it is wanting his
parents to still be alive and with him. It is such a magnetic experience that
he does not want to leave its sight. Professor Dumbledoor allows Harry to come
to his senses and advises Harry to not seek out the mirror again. Dumbledoor
assures Harry that his desires are not harmful but there can be consequences,
where many who fixate on their deepest desires can lose sight on life.
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