Can passion be magical? — The Story of Harry Potter

Hi there! ?? Recently, I spent several hours on a train sitting opposite a mother and her baby. The mother was reading the same story to her child over and over again. She knew the story by heart (and so did I at some point), but her son was so eager to hear it repeatedly. It made me wonder: Why is that?

This got me thinking about my own childhood. Few things have shaped my childhood as much as Harry Potter. So I pulled all the books off my shelf and read them again, watched the movies, went to the Broadway musical, and watched endless behind-the-scenes documentaries. Suddenly, I was immersed in (and obsessed with) this magical world once more.

And I don't seem to be the only one. With over 600 million copies sold, Harry Potter is the best-selling book series in history. The first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, has sold over 120 million copies alone. And the last four books set records as the fastest-selling, with the final novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, selling around fifteen million copies in twenty-four hours.

(Disclaimer: I am aware of J.K. Rowling's controversial statements in recent years. However, this newsletter is not about her. Instead, I focus on the magical world she created in Harry Potter, which is fascinating from a passion perspective.)

So my quest for this month's newsletter is: Why is the Harry Potter universe so successful, why can we get lost in good writing, and what role does passion play in creating engaging stories?

The Writing of Harry Potter

It's interesting that the writing in Harry Potter is probably not the most exceptional you've ever encountered. However, one thing I noticed upon re-reading the books is how much humor is woven into the narrative. The narration is quirky and personable, which adds charm and makes the books a joy to read.

Characters: The characters in Harry Potter feel incredibly relatable, which is likely the series' greatest strength. As readers, we explore and get to know the magical world alongside Harry (and through Harry!), creating a deep personal connection with him, Ron, Hermione, and the other characters. Each character has a unique background and their own motivations that help us predict and make sense of their actions.

It's also noteworthy that Harry isn't the sole hero of the story. On the contrary, the characters collectively contribute to the plot, and even seemingly minor characters like Neville have their peak moments.

Setting: Over time, we get to know not just the characters but also the setting really well. Indeed, Hogwarts feels like a real home to many readers. While reading the books, we would love to visit Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, the Ministry of Magic, and even the Dursleys' home.

To me, one of the most fascinating aspects is how J.K. Rowling created an imaginative yet richly detailed and immersive wizarding world. She seamlessly blends magic with reality, ensuring that the magical world can coexist with the real world.

The reader learns why Muggles are unaware of the magical world (thanks to the Ministry of Magic's efforts). Hilarious characters like Mr. Weasley, who collects Muggle artifacts and is curious about everyday items like telephones and plugs, add humor and show that Muggles are as mysterious to wizards as wizards are to Muggles.

Plot: Finally, each book is filled with mystery and adventure, keeping readers hooked with clever plotting and numerous twists and turns. The first book is surprisingly simple and easy to read, while the later books become more complex as the story matures with Harry.

According to best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, a successful book combines three things: (1) character, (2) setting, and (3) plot. This is why it's equally engaging when Harry and his friends are in class, playing Quidditch, and worrying about the House Cup—or fighting Voldemort and trying to save the world.

In my opinion, it is exactly this combination that makes Harry Potter such a successful series, appealing not only to children but also to adults.

The Themes of Harry Potter

The underlying messages in the Harry Potter series go much deeper than just the battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. I've tried to outline some of the themes I've noticed, but I'm sure there are many more.

Friendship and Loyalty: We learn that we cannot do things alone and that we need the help of others, acknowledging and recognizing their strengths. For example, without Hermione, Harry and Ron often wouldn't know what to do. Hermione's knowledge of spells and enchantments, Ron's strategic thinking (and great wizard chess play), and Harry's bravery combine to help them succeed in their missions.

Good vs. Evil: This is perhaps one of the most central and basic themes (of all times). We learn from Dumbledore in the second book that "It is not our abilities that show who we truly are; it is our choices." This also becomes evident in the sixth book when Draco is given the task of killing Dumbledore. Despite his intentions, Draco cannot bring himself to commit murder, showing that even those pressured by evil forces can make a different choice.

Love, Sacrifice, and Death: The sacrificial love of Harry's parents is a pivotal element in the series, ultimately leading to Voldemort's defeat. Lily Potter's love for her son Harry is the reason why Voldemort wasn't able to murder him, and Harry reciprocates this love for his late parents throughout the books. The series also frequently delves into themes of death, from the loss of Harry's parents to the numerous deaths that we need to endure in the books. One of the most poignant moments is the death of Sirius Black while fighting Bellatrix Lestrange, which profoundly impacts Harry.

Identity and Self-Discovery: Harry's journey is also one of self-discovery. He learns about his past, his abilities, and his destiny, while other characters, like Neville and Hermione, also grow into their true selves. I truly loved re-reading the fourth book when Neville develops his passion for Herbology, helping him gain confidence and making him a valuable and courageous member of Dumbledore's Army later on.

Okay, let's talk about passion! :)

The Passions of Harry Potter and His Friends

I believe that passion is one of the most central, if not the most important, topics in books. It may seem obvious that I say this as a passion researcher, but I genuinely believe it's true. Let me explain.

Passions can be considered as goals that people want to achieve—even if they may never be able to achieve them—because these goals are deeply important to their sense of self and identity.

As readers, we are drawn to characters who care deeply about their friends, who strongly identify with their goals, and who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good — in other words, passion.

Harry Potter: Let's start with Harry. In the first book, he doesn't initially exhibit strong passion. However, as he becomes more acquainted with the wizarding world and uncovers his own history, his passion for justice and doing what is right becomes a recurring theme. His strong moral compass compels him to confront Voldemort, driven by love and a desire to honor the memory of his parents and Sirius Black, who sacrificed themselves for him.

Lily Potter: Lily's love for Harry is perhaps the most beautiful example for passion in the series. Her ultimate sacrifice to protect him from Voldemort not only shields him magically but also reinforces the theme that love is the most potent form of magic (cheesy, I know).

Hermione Granger: Hermine exemplifies another form of passion: her dedication to learning. Her thirst for knowledge and love of books frequently help the trio in overcoming challenging situations. However, J.K. Rowling, who I believe strongly identifies with Hermione, also illustrates how passion can sometimes lead to negative interpersonal consequences (such as being laughed at by others).

Tom Riddle: Now, you could also say that Tom Riddle is very passionate. His passion for power and immortality—almost unreachable goals that he deeply cares about—leads him to become Lord Voldemort. His obsessive pursuit of the Dark Arts and his desire to conquer death are strong motivators for his actions, which—when directed towards selfish and harmful goals—can corrupt and destroy.

Severus Snape: Finally, Snape is a character that I still don't fully understand. His personality is complex, his actions driven by a mixture of love and vengeance. I'm not sure exactly if and what he's passionate about, but his unrequited love for Lily motivates many of his actions—from his initial alignment with Voldemort, his strong hatred against Harry, to his eventual role as a double agent for Dumbledore.

What can we learn from Harry Potter about our own passions?

Passion Drives Purpose: I've never thought about it like that, but the books made me consider that perhaps passion precedes purpose. Harry's passion for justice and protecting others drives his purpose to fight against Voldemort. Similarly, Hermione's passion for learning guides her actions throughout the series. For example, having read about wizards extensively, she advocates for the rights of house-elves (through S.P.E.W.), demonstrating how passion can inspire action that is meaningful to oneself.

Passion Requires Sacrifice: Many characters in the series make significant sacrifices because of their passions. I would even go so far as to say that passion without sacrifices is likely not a passion. For instance, Dumbledore’s commitment to defeating dark magic involves personal losses and difficult choices. Similarly, Snape’s enduring love for Lily Potter drives his (often painful) actions throughout the series.

Passion is Personal: Each character's passion is deeply personal and unique to their experiences and values. Luna Lovegood's passion for quirky creatures and her open-mindedness highlight the importance of staying true to oneself. Being passionate is not always easy, especially if others do not share your passion (as seen with Luna!).

Passion can make you vulnerable and subject to attack because you reveal something connected deeply to your inner self—and still, I would argue that it's worth it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my sixth newsletter! If you would like to explore more of my ideas and thoughts, here is a summary of my posts and podcast episodes from this June:

New LinkedIn posts:

Passion can lead to overconfidence +++ Engagement Prize for my Podcast +++ Two Circles Explain Harmonious and Obsessive Passion +++ My View on Vacations +++ ChatGPT Can Boost Performance but Diminish Meaningfulness +++ German American Conference 2024 +++ Recording Podcast Season With Situs Inversus

New podcast episodes:

Introducing Mega-Studies +++ How Friendship Can Turn Into Dating

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