Harry Potter Symbolism

The great literature that students study in a college literature class have several elements in common. Plot, characterization, theme, and symbolism are a few of the elements of fiction that are studied in a college literature class. Some of the great authors that are studied are William Faulkner, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ernest Hemingway, and Edgar Allan Poe. An author that should be given some consideration for further study is J. K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame. Rowling’s use of formula, plot, characterization, theme, and symbolization make her works worthy of study in a college literature class.
The Harry Potter series is a series of seven books that tell the story of Harry Potter, and his friends, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Together

In an article written by Kathleen McEvoy, she explains the practice of plant and pay off. “In cinema, the term plant and payoff refers to a prop that seems unimportant at first, but takes on great significance later in the story” (McEvoy 15). Rowling employs this technique very well in the series. For example, in the first book, Hagrid delivers Harry to the Dursleys on a motorcycle. Dumbledore asks, “And where did you get that motorcycle?” Hagrid replies, “’Borrowed it, Professor Dumbledore, sir,’ said the giant, climbing carefully off the motorcycle as he spoke. ‘Young Sirius Black lent it to me. I’ve got him, sir.’” (Stone 14) In the third book, Sirius Black comes up again while Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Cornelius Fudge are sitting in the Three Broomsticks, a bar in the city of Hogsmeade. The four adults are discussing Black’s breakout of prison. Hagrid talks about the night he rescued Harry from the Potters’ house, “…Told me ter take his motorbike ter get Harry there. ‘I won’t need it anymore,’ he says” (Azkaban 207). Rowling’s use of the plant and payoff method is a reason that her works should be studied in a college literature class. The way in which Rowling keeps the story line going through all seven books is another reason her works should be studied in a college literature