Who Invited Harry Potter?

Myths about heroes involve early parental lossmentors battles against evil and night-sea journeysduring which self-awareness deepens. J.K. Rowling'sbooks about the hero Harry Potter share these plotsimilarities while they engender phenomenalattention and commercial success. Using the methodsof depth psychological analysis this book asks Whoneeds Harry Potter with his adventures challengeswith evil and decision making? We have invitedHarry and he has shown up. This work posits that thearchetypal images within the novels representconnections to the collective unconscious and offermeaningful commentary about love loss andtransformation in contemporary culture. Throughoutthe chapters excerpts from Rowling's books and otherworks of literature illustrate theories of childhooddevelopment grief and loss evil and thearchetypal. Jung's theories about the shadow providea framework for understanding Harry's emerging selfwarts and all as well as the personality of theantagonist Voldemort. Enlightening research andreading for educators psychotherapists and HarryPotter fans especially for those who believe in thepower of story to transform.