Outline of a thesis on Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone from the perspective of trauma theory
Xinyan Zeng
College of Foreign Languages, Fujian Normal University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/pmcs.v8i1.13428
Keywords: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; trauma theory; childhood trauma; trauma manifestations; germination of trauma healing
Abstract
As the opening work of Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is set in Hogwarts School, with Harry Potter's childhood trauma as its central narrative thread, laying the foundation for the trauma narrative of the entire series.Drawing on post-traumatic theory as its core analytical framework, this paper focuses on the single work Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and explores in depth the manifestations, origins and initial healing pathways of childhood trauma in the text.This paper takes Harry Potter as the primary research subject, with Neville Longbottom and Severus Snape as the secondary subjects.It analyzes the overt and covert manifestations of trauma, explores the impacts of personal psychological limitations, family emotional deprivation, and dual contextual oppression (the Muggle world and the magic world) on the formation of trauma, and elucidates the roles of friendship, acceptance, encouragement and understanding in trauma healing.The paper aims to deepen the academic interpretation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, reveal the correlation between childhood trauma and individual growth in the text, and provide certain theoretical guidance and practical insights for the formation and healing of trauma among contemporary young people.Meanwhile, it verifies the applicability of trauma theory to fantasy works and enriches the research perspectives on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
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