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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Comparison

Paper written for Gonzaga University, SOCI 255: Sociology of Literature, taught by Dr. William Hayes.

Angela Scheres March 12, 2016 SOCI 255 01: CMR Dr. Bill Hayes Sirius Black says "I don't know if you know, Harry, when you were born, James and Lily made me your godfather … but I can understand if you choose to stay with your aunt and uncle, but if you ever wanted a different home…" to which Harry replies, "What? Come and live with you?" This scene occurs in movie version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Cuarón, 2004), and is reinforced when Harry shares the precious moment with Hermione after the two venture back in time. This is one of the few times Harry is overcome by genuine happiness, simply because an adult has given him one of the things he desires most, a family that will love him, and not just provide a place for him to live due to obligation. This scene reminded me of a conversation I had with my father when I was a bit younger than Harry, he told me "just because I never wanted you, doesn't mean I don't love you now." Like Harry, I know what it is like not to be wanted by those that are supposed to love you, and I wish I could have really experienced a moment such as his, along with the joy and the feeling of belonging—but, now I have an idea what it is like, experiencing it through the director's portrayal in the movie. In the book (Rowling, p. 379), the conversation is a bit longer, taking place in the Whomping Willow's tunnel; highlighting Sirius' fear of rejection, as well as his delight to learn Harry wants to live with him. The movie takes a more solemn view, with the interaction happening once they are outside under the night sky, as Sirius and Harry are appreciating the beauty of Hogwarts in the distance. The director gives us an exquisitely lovely scene in a moment of reflection, to showcase an equally beautiful moment for Harry; he has family that wants him, loves him, and will protect him. Harry appears to be filled with wonder and disbelief that he is no longer unwanted, and Cuarón gives us the extra scene with Hermione, absent from the book, to help express the joy Harry feels at having a family member that loves him as family should. Black (2003) shares that "Harry longs to be loved and protected" and that we first see him Scheres 2 "…at the home of his Aunt and Uncle Dursley" where he is "unkempt, unloved … he is the 'despised child'" that is left outside of a family he should be part of; being unwanted defined his social world and own identify until he felt the "magic." Our young hero finds solace in the magic of Rowling's wizarding world, where he finally feels like he belongs, but still lacks the family he desires. Speaking of the hardships Harry will face in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Black says that "he is eventually able to deal with … challenges through mental and emotional strength" (2003). Of this I have no doubt, as Sirius gave him that strength when he freely offered to take Harry in as his own. Shortly after telling Hermione that Sirius wanted him, Harry produced a Patronus Charm powerful enough to dispel multiple dementors, saving Sirius and his "other" self. The two scenes are key to the evolution of Harry's identity, as he is still a child that wants nothing more than a family that loves him. In my opinion, the director creates a much more substantial scene than is depicted in the book, and adds the second scene to reiterate the importance of that moment in Harry's life. He emphasizes what Rowling did not, that for the first time he can remember, he had gained in Sirius the family he was so desperate to have. With the Dursleys constantly reminding Harry he isn't part of their family, this scene was a refreshing change, a turning point for Harry's self-esteem, and a source of emotional and magical power. Harry was able to experience what it is like to have a father-figure that wants him in his life, and while this scene reminded me of a fading memory, I was able to experience it through him, with him, as the director made it more meaningful than Rowling did. Children aren't the only ones that need to find heroes in the pages they read or movies they watch, adults need them, too. Sometimes, what we experience onscreen helps us better understand our own lives, and with this scene the director gave a better portrayal of the importance of family, and how something so simple provides courage and strength enough to change everything. Scheres 3 References Black, S. (2003). The magic of Harry Potter: Symbols and heroes of fantasy. Children's literature in education, 34(3), 237-247. Retrieved from https://learn.gonzaga.edu/bbcs webdav/pid-1866905-dt-content-rid-19410425_1/courses/SOCI255_01_22363_SP16/ Black%20--%20Magic%20of%20HP--%20Symbols%20and%20Heroes.pdf Cuarón, A. (Director). (2004). Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban [Motion picture on Amazon Video Library]. S.1.: Warner Bros. Rowling, J. K. (2013). Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban. New York, NY: Scholastic.