Christian themes in Harry Potter?

[inked]

Originally Posted by Minielin

Fawkes can absolutely in my opinion be considered a Christ symbol. There is evidence that points to this interpretation of his character that essentially includes almost every mention of him in the books. As I've said, there is no doubt that Christian themes may be drawn from Harry Potter; my question lies rather in whether JRK specifically intended to write them as such.

When an author writes a series of books (5 to date) in which the actions of a specific character or entity are consistent throughout, one can confidently assert that the intention of the author is clear. Further, the use of clear symbol in tradition and the concordance of that symbol with the author's uses are the clearest evidence of intent. The care and execution of symbols in such is clearly intended to convey the meaning of the symbol within the received traditions of the literary and historical world(s) constructed.

JKR clearly sets HP et alia in the Western Civilization construct, inheritors of that civilization's symbols and legendaria, as well as the religious and sociological constructs. We may rest assured that in JKR's use of the symbols of medieviality and symbolic imagery we have a classicist who knows her material and utilizes it as she intends.

More later on the phoenix and Fawks in particular.