Harry Potter pt. 3

Harry longs for his parents.  He never got to know them and the little memories he has been able to salvage are pitifully inadequate for any person.  Coming from a dysfunctional family, I understand his pain.  I can remember the couple of times that I felt loved by my father and a handful of times that my mother and I enjoyed eachother's company unreservedly.

In the second movie he finds that he has a many of the same powers and talents and the same bent as the Dark Lord and the 'bad' wizards.  He spends a lot of time afraid to turn 'bad.'
The 'sage' of the movies reminds him of a deep truth: it is not our past or what others were or what we seem to be like, but our CHOICES that affect our future.  Harry's choices made him who he was and if he wanted to he could be the darkest of all.  If he chose, he could also stay on the path of being a friend and doing good.
I also love the many mythical things that crop up in the movies, such as (in this one) a mirror which shows us as having accomplished our deepest desires/wants/goals.  It shows you yourself truly happy.


In the 3rd installment we find that Harry is negatively affected more than anyone else at the school by the daemon-creatures that suck out happiness and joy because he has had 'true horrors' in his past.  He blacks out and is unable to accomplish much of anything against them.  In order to repel them you have to have a happy memory to focus on, or some indecent of true joy to block them with.
The power of this memory creates a 'shield' and a strong enough one would repel the attacker.

The parallels with real life are enormous.  I often find that one of the few things that bring me out of my place of pain or loneliness or depression is the strength of my memories and the pieces of joy in my past.

In the 4th movie someone places Harry in a contest in hopes to either kill him or get him to a place where the Dark Power can use his blood to come back to life (a bit creepy, yes).  A companion is killed and Harry has the choice to run or fight and he decides to die bravely.  In a matter of wands and such, the victims of the Dark Lord come out and attack him, creating a shield which again saves Harry.
We find out about a father who was so dedicated to his career that he lost his only son, who then turns around and kills his father and serves the Dark Lord gladly.  We find the teachers and parents keep information from Harry and his friends which would be useful to know.  I dont know why parents cant be honest and up front.  'Ready' or not, eventually children are going to become adults and need to know.  (But I wont get any more off topic here)  We see that kindness is appreciated by some, if not by many.  And we learn that things are not always as they seem.  The best of intentions may have some underlying evil motive.