Book 1 - 12: The Mirror of Erised & Narcissus

We're examining Chapter Twelve, The Mirror of Erised, in parallel with the story of Narcissus as told in Ovid's Metamorphoses. We discuss Harry's welcome into the Weasley family at Christmas, and the gift of the Invisibility Cloak with the message "use it well". We also consider the dangers of desire and obsession when it comes to the Mirror of Erised. We look at Harry and Ron's distinct desires reflected back at them, and muse over Dumbledore's words that "it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live"...

Om Podcasten

Hello fellow readers, and welcome to Ravenclaw Readers! We’re veteran Harry Potter fans, Claire and Ella, along with first-time reader Paul. Join us as we explore Harry Potter in the literary tradition, chapter by chapter. Each week we read a Harry Potter chapter alongside a classic work of literature. We compare and contrast the major themes and narratives of these two texts, and dig deep into each HP chapter, to consider the insights gleaned when Harry Potter is read as part of a wide literary landscape.