I figured out the Harry=Jesus bit back when I read the first book. Maybe it was because I went to a christian high school or something years ago, but all of the religious symbolism stood out like a sore thumb.

It only got stronger as the books progressed.

The final nail in the coffin, so to speak, was a JKR interview where she said that she hoped people didn't know she was a practicing christian, because then they would figure out the end of her book too easily, or something like that. (Damn, I can't seem to find it on youtube).

Anyway, after I read that, I knew Harry was going to die and come back, and that was before Half Baked Plot came out.

 

Christ-like figures are extremely common in Western literature. I don't see what the big deal is. The same thing with gay Dumbledore. Neither are off-putting since they didn't sell the story, so who cares?

Now several years after the fact if people refuse to accept the books for what they are and pester her for what are (frankly) relatively mundane details, you're going to get some trite answers. I didn't care to ask those questions, so it's not worth festering over her answers.

It's like don't watch DVD commentary unless you want to lose respect for filmmakers because they are awful at verbally articulating what they were trying to do. It's honestly best left for the readers to interpret the work.

 

If we were to actually look at the concepts presented by J.K and the ties/relationships to christianity, then theoretically it stands to reason that Jesus created a Horcrux. The whole rising from the dead as less then the meanest ghost after being murdered thing is kinda suss.

Dark Lord Jesus for the win.

 

I actually never saw the "Harry dies and then comes back" plot twist coming. Maybe that's because I'm Jewish, not Christian, and not even a practicing Jew at that. I also never saw any religious relations in Harry Potter. That could have to do with the fact that the last time I read the actual books (not a fanfiction) I was only 12 or 13. I think I'll go read them again now...

 

Meh. There's worse to get inspiration from than Christian tradition; the fact it's Christian tradition doesn't make it lame (or, phrasing it differently for those who hated DH, the lameness of the book isn't due to the fact it has Christian elements).

Phrasing it, again, differently, Christianity doesn't have a monopoly over selflessness, love, self-sacrifice and bravery. The Bible doesn't have a monopoly over seemingly uneven fights between Good and Evil in which the Good eventually triumphs. These ideas and values, which Christianity also defends and conveys, have pervaded the entire Occidental culture for centuries.

Also; Harry didn't resuscitate. He could've chosen to die but didn't. Since he never died, he never resuscitated.

Semantics, I know, but for cultural reasons I'm a bit cautious when using words like "resurrection."

I never noticed the religious influence while reading the books, either; which is all I'm asking for. I don't care much for moralism, Christian or other, when all I'm looking for is an entertaining read. On the other hand the similarities between Christian tradition and Harry Potter are obvious when you think back about the series.

The only moment when these similarities stood out rather aggressively was in the cemetery of Godric's Hollow, where tombs are engraved with lines from the Gospels.

Inferno, are you absolutely sure you have nothing in common with GothOddity?

 

Hmm... the debate as to if Harry died is a bit more ambiguous than that, I think.

We can either think of it as Harry dying and actually talking to Dumbledore in the afterlife, or as Harry being unconscious and having some kind of psychological delusion while unconscious. JKR herself said that she left it ambiguous as to which one. I learn towards the former, especially given that Harry learns new information from Dumbledore at King's Cross.

Under the former interpretation taking the train would have been a decision to completely accept death as a permanent thing. Under the second taking the train would symbolise choosing death over limbo.

 

...or over life.

I always thought Harry was in a sort of state suspended between life and death, where his spirit could communicate with Dumbledore's (whether it could be linked to his and Dumbledore's magic is another debate that threatens to be very long and, while possibly interesting, completely sterile). From there it was given to him to go fully into death or go back into life.

But you're right, it's up to every reader's interpretation.

I'll personally stick to 'no magic can bring back the dead.'

 

This is my issue. This is why I was annoyed by Harry is pseudo Jesus reveal.

I despise being preached to in a book I am reading for fun.

I have to admit that it is easier to ignore the allegorical aspects in Harry Potter than some other fictions I have read that were fronts for someone proselytizing.

Sadly, now that I know JKR's intention, it is hard to put it out of my mind.