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Youre a wizard, Harry and a selfless one at that.

A Research Paper Teaching Selflessness Through Harry Potter

Kayla Witten Dr. Rice ENG 4510 Multigenre Research Paper

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Table of Contents
Title Page .. 1 Table of Contents . 2 Prologue . 3 Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lives For Others Newspaper Article 4 Advanced Potion Making: Magnanimous Magic Textbook Page. 7 Lord Voldemorts Inner Thoughts Diary Entry........ 9 Rest in Peace Lily and James Eulogy 11 Dear Harry Letter . 13 Notes Page . 15 Works Cited Page.... 16

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Prologue
In some aspects of society, individuals see those who do for others as weak or feeble-minded; they are seen as people pleasers or brown nosers, or can even be seen as the wannabe hero because they would rather help another than help themselves. It appears that in todays times, being a person who is unselfish has more of a negative connotation than a positive one. With this negativity towards being a self-sacrificial person, many others in society are wishing and hoping for a miracle that these people find the good in their hearts and begin acting in a way that promotes selflessness. If only these people had magic to push individuals to find the want to act for others instead of only acting for themselves. If only these people could cast a spell on the egocentrics that would turn them away from the Dark Arts of greed and vanity, where a person isnt afraid of kicking another while theyre down for personal gain, and rather towards a mindset where putting others before yourself is seen as noble and brave. What these people dont realize is that the magic is at their fingertips; all that they have to do is open Harry Potter and the magic of selflessness and self-sacrifice erupts from the pages. These novels are a positive portrayal of selflessness in how several characters involve themselves in unselfish acts and also the manner and context in which these characters are partaking in these acts. In the following paper, I will be presenting the importance of selflessness that can be learned from the Harry Potter series. I will be discussing how this series can teach society how to not only be selfless, but also be selfless for the purpose of helping another and not just oneself. This paper will demonstrate that the magic of changing societys views

Witten 4 on selfishness is in our hands; it just takes is the flick of the wrist and maybe some floo powder to get society to start being less about the self and more about those that surround us.

THE Daily Prophet

THE WIZARD WORLDS BEGUILING BORADSHEET OF CHOICE

HARRY POTTER:
THE BOY WHO LIVES FOR OTHERS
Ladies and Gentlemen, Harry Potter is back in action this past week at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry Potter, the son of the deceased Lily and James Potter who is notorious for surviving an attack by He

Who Shall Not Be Named, came across a mysterious lair leading to the closed
off Chamber of Secrets within the school. Once in the chamber Harry came across a fellow Gryffindor and daughter to a member of the Ministry of Magic, Ginny Weasley. Rather than being concerned for his own safety, Mr. Potter went out of his way to ensure that Ms. Weasley was returned safe and sound to her family and friends.

Witten 5 Ms. Weasley gained access to the chamber by coming in contact with Tom Riddles old diary: a diary that possessed poor Ginny and could have killed herhad it not been for Mr. Potters selflessness and bravery. Our sources tell us that Potter faced a Basilisk while in the Chamber of Secrets. Ginny Weasley was in an unconscious state and was closely approaching death when Harry Potter arrived and took action. Upon arrival, Potter knew this would be no small feat; Potter was aware that the gaze of the beast could potentially kill him and knew that if he had any chance of saving Ginny that he must blind the serpent. I had to save Ginny. She was dying and the only way she was going to get out alive was if he [the serpent] was blinded, Harry told us in an interview. With the help of Godric Gryffindor and the Phoenix, Potter was given the tools he needed to save Ms. Weasley. The Phoenix blinded the beast, giving Potter the advantage of maneuvering throughout the chamber, waiting for the proper time to strike. Potter stabbed the Basilisk through the roof of its mouth, ultimately killing the beast; however, the Boy Who Lived was injured by one of the Basilisks fangs that happen to be extremely poisonous. In his impending doom, Potter knew the fang would kill the diary and would revive Ginny. In his pain and suffering, he disregarded his needs and speared Riddles diary, bringing Ginny back to consciousness. He told me to leave; he told me to get out of there and not to worry about him. I didnt know what

Witten 6 to do, Ginny told us, holding back tears, if it werent for Fawkes [Phoenix], he would have died for me and Harry knew that. He was only worried about me and my safety. The Boy Who Lived has shown us his courage once again surviving when the odds were against him, but primarily focusing on the welfare and safety of others. Mr. Potter may be known as the one who survived, but perhaps its time we start to refer to him as the one who lived while trying to save those around him. Either way, fellow Wizards and Witches, we have ourselves a selfless protector, who only desires the well being of others.

-Rita Skeeter, Journalist

Witten 7 Stupefy (stew-puh-fye) Stunning spell: Spell renders victim unconscious and halts moving objects. Effect Potion that causes extreme altruism, selfsacrifice, and willingness to assist others over assisting oneself in the drinker. Potion makes the heart grow and enhances courage, love, and kindness. Potion creates protection around the drinker, causing them only to act on behalf of others and protects them from harm in the process. Repels all acts of selfishness and greed. Any violence fueled by selfish motives will be deflected to the culprit potentially ending in death for the culprit. Potion begins working when drinker begins selfless acts. Deep blue in color

Most Potent Potions

In the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Nott grabbed hold of Harry Potter as he was attempting to flee the Hall of Prophecy. Hermione Granger used the STUPEFY curse on Nott, leaving him incapacitated as several shelves filled with prophecies collapsed around him.

MAGNANIMOUS MAGIC

Witten 8 Characteristics Emits shine and a golden aura Scent smells bitter to Narcissists Advanced

Difficulty Level

MATERIALS NEEDED: Three drops of Unicorn Blood* A vile of compassion Two strands of hair from someone who has saved or protected you Healing Fluxweed (picked at a full moon) Four leeches A photo of a loved one Strength Something of personal value Humanitarian Hornet nectar
*Blood must be given on a voluntary basis from Unicorn or else blood can kill drinker

RECIPE 1. Add three bunches of the healing Fluxweed to the cauldron. Stir twice in a reverse clockwise motion. Wait for cauldron to emit small shine. 2. Pour in the vile of compassion and the four leeches simultaneously. 3. Wave wand over cauldron and let ingredients brew for two hours or until leeches have dissolved and the compassion turns brew a deep blue. 4. Dramatically make three individual drops of the voluntarily given Unicorn Blood into the mixture. Wait for potion to bubble. 5. Once at a bubble, drop in the photo of a loved one and the personally valuable item. Wave your wand over the cauldron and use your Patronus Charm to emit your safety shield into the mixture. 6. Drop in the two strands of hair from someone who has protected or saved you. Stir the potion in a clockwise motion seven times, then in a reverse motion until a strong golden aura comes from the deep blue mixture. You will see small streaks of green evaporating off of the mixture its just the greed leaving the potion. 7. Wait for two hundred and twenty five minutes to check the potion. 8. Once correct time has elapsed, add a pinch of strength and a small jar of the humanitarian hornet nectar. Wave your wand and once again, perform your Patronus charm to ensure the safety element of your potion. 9. Wait two days before using. 10. Drink potion and will go into effect when drinker begins to act selflessly on behalf of others. Will last 1-2 months.

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Expecto Patronum (ex-pek-toh pat-row-num) Patronus Charm: Spell conjures a positive energy force or spirit guardian. Helps protect conjurer from Dementors or dark forces. Can also serve as a messenger to communicate with other wizards and witches, generally in emergent situations

At the battle at the Black Lake, Sirius Black was being attacked by a group of Dementors, in which present-day Harry tried to fight them off with a weak Patronus, but was eventually overtaken by the Dementors. Using a time traveling aide, Future Harry saw Sirius ill and nonresponsive on the shore and screamed EXPECTO PATRONUM emitting a strong shield saving Sirius and his present-day self from the Kiss of Death.

Lord Voldemorts Inner Thoughts

A Diary Entry

Dear Diary, The Dark Lord, here. I must ask you, faithful servant, what is the obsession with the Potter boy? The people claim to love him because they believe he will save them from He Who Shall Not Be Named. They feel that his love and strength come from something deep within him, deeper than a want for power and success, but the want to . . . help others purely for the

Witten 10 sake of making their lives better. They see him as some sort of advocate for positivity and good, but what good does that give them? I mean, honestly, it is that much better to be loved than feared? Why do they feel that his selflessness will beat my selfishness? Whats wrong with acting on my own will, my own desires, for my own benefit? That doesnt make me a bad wizard; rather, it makes me ambitious. Sure, my ambition has gotten me into some trouble in my day, like when I was reduced to dust trying to get the Sorcerers Stone and I slowly deteriorate as every horcrux I created in trying to achieve immortality is destroyed. The Potter boy is ambitious too and the wizards and witches dont criticize him for it! He always has to come in and save the day can you seriously tell me that he puts himself in danger constantly for other people and not for the benefit of looking like the hero? Well he was trying to save the wizarding world from me with the stone and was protecting Ginny from me in the Chamber and tried to save Cedric in the Goblet of Fire. . .

Sigh, The Boy Who Lived might have the right idea with this whole do
for others thing. Maybe I should consider changing my ways. HA! No, who am I kidding, Dark Arts and Death Eaters for Life! I AM IMMORTAL! Lord Voldemort

Witten 11 Tom Tom? I heard that Harry killed you in the Battle of Hogwarts! Master, answer! Looks like working on behalf of others truly is more powerful than working for yourself. - Tom Riddle

Aguamenti (Agua-menty) Water-making Spell: charm summons a jet of clear, pure water from the tip of the casters wand.

In the Horcrux cave, Dumbledore had to drink a potion that caused extreme dehydration in order for Harry to move forward. Seeing his mentor in pain, Harry used AUGUAMENTI over and over to try to fill Dumbledores goblet to quench his dying and painful thirst.

Eulogy for Lily and James Potter

On the unfortunate day of October 31st, 1981, we lost two brave and kind souls that were devoted to loving others and each other. Lily and James Potter met and fell in love at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and went on to marry. Together they were members of the Order of the Phoenix, an organization that serves to fight Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort, where they regularly fought to protect the greater

Witten 12 good. On three separate occasions, Lily and James rebelled against the Dark Forces but had to abruptly stop fighting when a prophecy revealed their only son, Harry, was in grave danger. Like the loving, sacrificial parents they were they put Harry first and went into hiding to try to protect him. Lily and James were aware of the dire consequences they would face if found, but they were willing to do anything to save their son even if that meant dying themselves. The worst of the worst came true on Halloween night where Lily and James were brutally murdered by He Who Shall Not Be Named, but Harry lived. How, you ask? Harry lived because of the love his parents so clearly had for him. Their love and want to protect their son was so strong that they sacrificed their lives to save him; this sacrifice that ultimately deflected the most dangerous curse in the wizarding world Avada Kedvara. So today, we honor these loving and compassionate souls whose strength cannot and will not be ignored. Without their sacrifice, we would be without their son who is continuing his parents mission: to live selflessly to save innocent individuals and to protect the greater good not for personal reasons, but because it is the right thing to do. May Lily and James rest in peace. Im sure they could not be more proud of the young man that Harry has grown to be today.

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Protego Totalum (Proh-tay-goh Toh-tul-luhm) Protective enchantment that defends a small or enclosed area from other spells for a long period of time.

While traveling no their search for Voldemorts horcruxes, Hermione, Ron, and Harry fell under attack by Death Eaters. To protect her friends and their mission, Hermione used PROTEGO TOTALUM to surround them with a shield that stopped any disturbance from attacking them.

Dear Harry
Dear Harry, Im writing you this letter because at 115 years old, I feel my time is coming to an end. Harry, I want to tell you how proud you

Witten 14 have made me throughout your time at Hogwarts. You have triumphed against Lord Voldemort but have also experienced major triumphs against yourself. As I have watched you grow, I see so much of your parents in you. When your mother died to save you, it marked you with good and love good and love that you have used to help your friends live and succeed. You have a gift, Harry: a gift that allows you to use every bit of courage, strength, and bravery you possess not for yourself, but for everyone but you. If I could teach you anything, it would be to continue to spread your strength and love to others because they are inspired by your selflessness. You, Harry, are a symbol of hope. You are a protector and a teacher to all those who know your story. You are the Boy Who Lived and the Boy who will continue to live as long as you believe in the hope that your actions give and believe in the love that your protection provides. The Wizarding world needs hope, Harry. They need you. They need to see the good in our world and that good is you. I recently had a conversation with Lupin where I told him that we need to trust you, for you are the best hope we have. I mean this with every fiber of my being, Harry. You are our hope.

Witten 15 Wishing you the greatest happiness and love,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Notes 1. Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lives For Others

For this piece, I used research from Bhattacharyas journal, The Boy Who Lived to Become the Chosen One. This article also discusses Harrys acts and attitudes towards others and how he and others respond to these acts. I felt it would be easiest to show how both sides react to his selfless acts by having a newspaper article report on some courageous act of Potter and having him and the individual he saved, in this case Ginny, discuss their feelings on the matter.

2. Advanced Potion Making: Magnanimous Magic

Witten 16 I used Grimess essay as inspiration for this piece. This essay talked about the components of being a archetypal hero and what types of characteristic Harry possesses that makes him this kind of hero. There are several things such as compassion and giving that Harry Potter: Fairy Tale Prince, Real Boy, and Archetypal Hero" lists, so I felt as if they were giving a recipe for how to create this hero. By creating a potion recipe, I was able to creatively and effectively display Harrys traits in a way that can be learned from by others.

3. Lord Voldemorts Inner Thoughts

I used the article, Harry Potter and Moral Development In Pre Adolescent Children" and The Soul in Harry Potter as framework for this piece. They both discuss how Harry makes moral choices that are both strong and sound. I felt that these traits would best come through if stated and questioned by Harrys enemy. I also believed these traits would be best shown through Tom Riddles diary, because it responds to the writer. Having Riddle respond to Voldemort after the Final Stand between Harry and Voldemort shows, again, that selflessness triumphs over selfishness.

4. Eulogy for Lily and James Potter

This piece was inspired by Kornfields piece on family (2003). It went through and examined how Harrys parents are the reason behind his selflessness because he understands that they were selfless for him. This article also really harps on love and courage, so I meant to be sure to have those components added within the eulogy. As I was reading this research, the researchers spoke of Lily and James with such compassion and care that it felt like you were reading a devotion to them, so I decided to write a eulogy.

5. Dear Harry
In this piece, I took information from both Kornfields work (2003) and Bhattacharyas work (2012) to form my letter. These articles discussed how Harrys family influenced his means to live in an altruistic manner because they too lived in this way. Bhattacharyas piece specifically mentioned the concept of hope, which is a moral that Dumbledore stands for until his death in these novels; therefore, I felt that this is a message that Harry would receive from his mentor.

Works Cited
Bhattacharya, Saradindu. "The Boy Who Lived To Become The Chosen One." IUP Journal of English Studies 7.2 (2012): 7-17. Humanities International Complete. Web. 29 Sept. 2013.

Witten 17 Binnendyk, Lauren, and Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl. "Harry Potter and Moral Development In Pre Adolescent Children." Journal of Moral Education 31.2 (2002): 195-201. Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 29 Sept. 2013. Grimes, M. Katherine. Harry Potter: Fairy Tale Prince, Real Boy, and Archetypal Hero. The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter. Ed. Lana A. Whited. Colombia: University of Missouri Press, 2002. 89-125. Print. Kornfield, John and Laurie Prothro. Comedy, Conflict, and Community: Home and Family in Harry Potter. Harry Potters World. Ed. Elizabeth E. Heilman. New York: RoutledgeFalmer, 2003. 187-203. Print. Sehon, Scott. The Soul in Harry Potter. The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy: Hogwarts for Muggles. Ed. William Irwin and Gregory Bassham. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010. 7-22. Print.