Comments on: Harry Potter, Perelandra, and Alchemy

By: Ludi

Ludi — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 14:57:31 +0000

Travis, I don’t particularly buy that Jung ‘Freud-ized’ alchemical imagery, but I suppose this is a discussion for another forum. I don’t pretend to know enough about alchemical imagery as applied to literature so I shall reserve judgement. I simply find it an interesting subject (one amongst many) and read about it when I can… I suppose I am somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. ;p Thanks for the recommendation.

By: Travis Prinzi

Travis Prinzi — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 14:39:57 +0000

Ludi, unfortunately, Jung sort of Freud-ized alchemical imagery and missed the point. A good essay to read that will introduce you to the basics of literary alchecmy is John's An Alchemist's Tale.

By: Ludi

Ludi — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 12:42:44 +0000

Okay, so having read this and a few of Granger’s articles, I’m fascinated by just how many alchemical markers have shown up in Harry Potter. I’m by no means well-versed in alchemical imagery, but having read a bit about it in reference to Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, it doesn’t surprise me at all that a series like HP, which is already so steeped in mythological archetypes, draws upon alchemy as well.

I look forward to anymore posts on this matter.

-Ludi

By: Morganna

Morganna — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:02:20 +0000

I am so deprived, I finally realize. I’ve ordered several of Lewis’ books, including the Space Trilogy (which I read decades ago and have forgotten more than I remember). Currently trying to read MacDonald’s Phantasthemes (sp?). If nothing else, this site is stretching me and getting me off my literary backside! Keep it up!

By: Merlin

Merlin — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 17:38:58 +0000

Speaking of darkness, I always loved Lewis’ image of space as “full” of light in a way we can’t imagine it, weighed down by the atmosphere of Thulcandra. Reminds me of Dante’s trek through the heavens and the “music of the spheres” (Pythagoras?)

By: Merlin

Merlin — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 17:35:13 +0000

Travis, great stuff man. I have to go back and re-read the Space trilogy … makes me sad that when I took a course in CS Lewis in Undergrad I was so busy that I didn’t read the first two but relied on my reading them before and class notes (with That Hideous Strength I simply had to read it again, it was too good)

As a kid I used to get docked for spelling on homework for adding the “u” in those words without realizing it from reading the Chronicles of Narnia so much.

Apologies for taking so long to get around to reading this post … you know, PHD applications and making money to pay the bills and writing on our blog … but your stuff is really good.

Merlinus Ambrettus

By: Travis Prinzi

Travis Prinzi — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 19:35:42 +0000

Pauli,

Thanks for the comments. John sent me a link to your site a week or so ago. I’ll check it out when I’ve got more time!

By: Pauli

Pauli — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 19:08:10 +0000

Travis, I absolutely love your blog! Keep up the great posts. I'm adding a link to our site. Thanks again!

By: John Granger

John Granger — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:41:53 +0000

Dear Travis,

Yes, in answer to your question, you “get it.” Excellent exegesis of the alchemy in Perelandra. Now take a look at “This Hideous Strength”… and then imagine what the last HP novel might be like.

John, grateful for your kind words and excellent work

By: Gaines

Gaines — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:39:45 +0000

Ah, cool. It’s been awhile since I read Perelandra, but I definitely never picked up on any of the alchemical significance. I am increasingly convinced by Granger, that Rowling is using this framework for HP. Neat.