Introduction
While many have speculated about the events to take place in the last two books of the Harry Potter series, none to my knowledge have done so using a systematic analysis of literary structure. This project hopes to outline methods for such investigation and promote the use of textual analysis in constructing reliable theories about the Harry Potter series. Exploring the text’s use of chiasmus, I will demonstrate that it is this literary technique which is the key to understanding the plot of the books and indeed their inevitable conclusions.
Chiasmus is a literary device used by authors in antiquity. It gained particular popularity during the Hellenistic period (ca. 300BCE-300CE) and is a useful tool for scholars of works written during this period, such as Greco-Roman novels, Hellenistic poetry and even some books of the Bible. While some works make use of this technique only in a small-scale way, others base their whole literary structure around this method. The general structure of chiasmus is a parallelism of plot points, converging in the middle of the text with the climax: a b C b a, where a and b are the main plot points of the first section of the work and b and a are the reverse of those points. For example, in a story about a new kitten, there might be a chiasmic structure as follows:
a) a girl wishes to have a kitten
b) a girl gets a kitten
C) the kitten gets stolen
B) the kitten is returned to the girl
a) the girl is happy to once again have her kitten
While it is obviously simplistic, the above example presents the general idea of what a chiasmus involves. Events will lead up to a climax, which may be tragic, and then repeat themselves in reverse until the end of the work. While this method is never exhaustive and always leaves some details without parallels, the major plot points in a narrative repeat themselves as a general rule.
Analysis
One difference we can immediately point out is the division of HP into books. This more lengthy structure, while it is found in the ancient world, is not as common. Thus, the structure of this chiasmus covers much more text than usual for our counterparts in antiquity. However, we can point out that novels in the ancient world did follow this structure, and thus it is applicable to our case.
HP is arranged in seven volumes. Although each book can stand on its own, JKR herself has said that the plots are completely interwoven and rely on each other. Thus, the series as a whole can be seen to have one large plot. This is unlike series, such as some mystery novels, where only the characters carry over from book to book. Already our series lends itself better to chiasmic structure. The fact that there are seven books total supports this idea, as seven is a number used quite frequently in ancient writings using chiasmus. However, as the last two books of the series have not yet been released, this study will focus only on books three through five.
We should therefore begin our analysis with Goblet of Fire. As the centre piece in the Harry Potter series, this book marks the climax of the chiasmic structure. It is in this book that events are changed from their previous norms. Nothing could be more obvious when looking at the plot of GoF. First, this is the only book (so far) where Quiddich has not played a major role. While this might be a minor point to some, it nonetheless serves to highlight the intended difference between this book and its fellows. Instead, Harry and the other characters become involved in a treacherous competition which ends in death. The most important moment in the stories up to this point occurs at the end of this competition. Whereas in books one through three Voldemort was unable to exert any real force upon the Wizarding world, GoF marks his return to power, and thus the start of the war. This immense turning point alters the world of Harry Potter so that nothing will ever be the same: except it is.
Prisoner of Azkaban introduced the character of Sirius to the readers in a real way. Although he was mentioned briefly in Philosopher’s Stone, it is not until book three that his character is developed at all. We also learn substantially more about Harry’s family, and are introduced to the Marauders as shape-shifters. Harry is enrolled in more courses than before and therefore learns more magic. Not unrelated to this is his mastery of the Patronus charm. We should compare these plot points with what we know of Order of the Phoenix, book five. Following chiasmic structure, this book should be the reverse parallel of PoA. This is indeed the case. First and foremost, the character introduced in book three is killed, effectively removing his active roll in the last two books. Thus, just as Sirius was absent from Harry’s life in one and two, Harry with have to learn to live without his Godfather in books six and seven. Further, another shape-changing character is introduced in book five, perhaps to mirror the Marauders in book three. This is, of course, Tonks. While Lupin cannot help his transformations, Tonks always remains in control, perhaps indicating the increased level of activity in the narrative later on in the series. Lastly, Harry once again uses his Patronus charm. This is the first time he is recorded to have used it since he saved his Godfather’s life at the end of PoA. While then its use resulted in a positive outcome, in OotP the consequences are almost catastrophic. Harry ends up on trial for his use of the spell and is nearly thrown out of Hogwarts.
Conclusions
Having seen that books three through five follow the structure of a chiasmus, what is the next step? The structure of chiasmic literature makes it possible and indeed probable that books six and seven will be reverse parallels of books two and one, respectively. This is even more likely as JK Rowling has made clear on several occasions that HBP has roots in CS; the fact that one section of HBP was originally intended for CS supports this conclusion. What can we do with this information? While it is not at all clear which events will repeat themselves, a close look at major events in books one and two should provide clues to the conclusion of our beloved series. Perhaps there lie hints even now in book one as to the fulfillment of the Prophesy in the last book. While such speculation is beyond the scope of this study, hopefully my analysis of the texts will promote further investigation of the texts in this way. |
User reviews
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| luv2read |
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| 2006.07.03 |
I LOVE this theory! I whole-heartedly believe it, and every time I reread t...
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| Sophia |
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| 2006.04.23 |
Wow. Very nice editorial! I really am impressed, I could never have thought...
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| Fluffy |
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| 2006.04.13 |
Four crystal balls for excellent writing skills, although I do not complete...
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| stonesorcerer |
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| 2005.12.29 |
I love this editorial because it completely makes sense. Although I didn't ...
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| Fantasy Lvr |
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| 2005.07.09 |
Congrats on the well-thought theory, it'll be interesting to see if what co...
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| Magiclantern |
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| 2005.05.18 |
I loved the introduction to this editorial. The explanation and history of ...
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| Abbe Faria |
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| 2005.05.17 |
This is the most intruguing theory I've read about Harry to date - thanks f...
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| Seajay |
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| 2005.05.15 |
I enjoyed your editorial and it gave me plenty of food for thought. Certain...
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| Samantha |
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| 2005.05.07 |
Well - one last thought - remember the beginning of PS where Harry is trapp...
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| Dora Blue |
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| 2005.05.07 |
Wow. This is the best prophecy I've read so far. I can't wait to crack op...
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| Phoenix Star |
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| 2005.04.30 |
Very interesting editorial. It kind of reminds me of the "plot mirror" edit...
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| Nivy Balachandran |
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| 2005.04.24 |
An excellent insight into the literary structure of the HP series. Thought-...
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| Ruepert the Basilisk |
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| 2005.04.21 |
The analysis is great. If we are going to use this to predict the end of th...
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| Rojaneer |
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| 2005.04.20 |
I liked it a lot, it seems you did quite a bit of research and I can see th...
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| Elle |
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| 2005.04.19 |
I agree with Starlet, that it would have been great if you had used this te...
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| DoubeDragon7258 |
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| 2005.04.18 |
Excellent! I am currently writing my own book. I believe that the theory yo...
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| The Dark Lord |
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| 2005.04.17 |
It was rather interesting to read your editorial and I must say I agree in ...
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| Prongs |
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| 2005.04.16 |
That was very interesting. I must agree with Weasel king, in that Quidditch...
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| lupinsmyman |
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| 2005.04.14 |
I agree with Weasal. Although you have a good point there are some flaws. Y...
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| tutshi |
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| 2005.04.14 |
Stunning and erudite analysis but I wonder of JKR has done nothing more tha...
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| Wendy |
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| 2005.04.14 |
I really enjoyed your theory regarding the comparissons from literature of ...
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| lumos_aeternum |
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| 2005.04.14 |
I have one issue to bring up. You mentioned that Harry did not use the Patr...
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| cerussite |
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| 2005.04.14 |
Excellent, it will be very interesting to see how the next book develops, e...
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| Starlet |
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| 2005.04.13 |
Whilst I love the theory behind anysling the Harry Potter books and the Chi...
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| Long Live the Weasel King! |
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| 2005.04.13 |
While I found your explaination of chiasmus plot structure very interesting...
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