The piece Sanctuary: For Harry Potter the Movie displays the significance of survivors and how they are protected. In this "poem", Nikki Giovanni draws a connection between the famous scar-marked teenager and a baby elephant in Africa. They are both survivors; both a symbol for a wronged individual saved by his mother.
Yet, why did Harry survive in the first book? Because his mother sacrificed herself for him? So out of all of Voldemort's other victims, not one of them had a family member or friend who loved them at least as much as Harry's mother loved him? Moreover, if it was a simple as that, why didn't Dumbledore or somebody say "Hey, everybody! All you have to do is love someone and be willing to die in his place, and the Dark Lord is powerless!" These views only emphasize the fact that Harry is not all that special; his predicament could be the same of any other Wizarding child loved by his parents.
Going back to the baby elephant component of the metaphor, Giovanni claims "The alpha female takes up the charge while the other females surround the baby" (line 16-17). While the mother takes on the attacker, the rest of the herd seem to take it upon itself to protect the child. The other elephants isolate him and make him a survivor by their beliefs in the necessity of the young creature living to remember his past.
Therefore, the only reason the elephant lives is because his companions want him to exist as an idol of their struggle. Likewise, Harry is rescued because he is a reminder of love: the only force potent enough to defeat Voldemort. This is why it can be seen that society chooses who to defend and let survive because it wants to preserve hope for itself no matter the costs.
Anita, I love how you expand on the meaning of the title!! I also think it is interesting to explore how the elephant could be a symbol for what happened to Africans and wildlife. Also, are they literally talking about Harry Potter, or is the last part of the piece allegorical?
ReplyDeleteI like your viewpoint on how Harry Potter survived, and how you explained that he is no more special than anyone else. I think the piece also relates his life to ours, so maybe we're not all that different from this wizard-kid?
ReplyDeleteI agree could be similar to any other wizard's child. More so, that child could have been Neville Longbottom had the Dark Lord known of his birth on the same day as Harry's birth. The prophecy stated the boy to be born in July would have the power to overtake him. Voldemort by the luck of the draw choose Harry Potter.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great how you added a lot of rhetorical questions! They made your blog sound so interesting. I'm not very familiar with Harry Potter so I think the story with the baby elephant helped me connect both characters together.
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