Making use of Harry Potter's symbolic repertoire with children

Abstract

This dissertation intends to investigate whether and to what extent the symbolism in the Harry Potter novels may be used as a teaching tool with children. In this work I highlighted the importance of popular culture to teach moral values and religious education to children. The first chapter is a general overview of the history of children’s literature and the different genre available for children. In the second chapter I focused more on the seven Harry Potter novels, their phenomenal popularity and the outbursts of controversy mainly coming from Christian fundamentalists who perceive Harry Potter as a demonic piece of work which lures children into the practices of the occult. The dissertation delves into what intrigued Joanne Kathleen Rowling to write these novels and evaluates whether the religious connotations were intentional. In the third chapter I focused on the main themes of love and death which have an intense symbolic value and which could be used with young children. The dissertation also explores possible ways of how educators may use these themes and in the classroom. Educators should not be afraid to use non-religious material to educate the children's spiritual, moral and religious dimensions.