On the twenty-sixth of June in 1997, the literary future of America was forever changed. Millions of children were introduced to a brand new character, a young English boy who lived in a cupboard under the stairs of his Aunt and Uncle’s house by the name of Harry Potter. By the end of the first book of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone, children take quite the adventure through self-discovery, friendship, adventure, danger, and of course, magic. Many of those children fans have become adult fans introducing their children to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, which now includes seven books, eight movies, theme parks, and a new life in the franchise of the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, among other living parts of Potter’s Universe, including a stage play in London. People around the world fell in love with Harry Potter, his best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and all of his adventures, as well as misadventures.
In the first book, we are given the expose to Harry’s peculiar life. Outside of the wizarding world Harry is essentially a “nobody”, emphasized by the way his family treats him. On his eleventh birthday, however, Harry learns he is much more than a nobody. Unbeknownst to him, he happens to be famous. As an infant, Harry survived a murder attempt by one of the wizarding world’s most feared and evil wizards, Voldemort, who killed Harry’s parents, Lily and James Potter. Harry was left with a lightning bolt shaped scar and a legacy as “the boy who lived.”
Everywhere Harry goes in the wizarding world, he is recognized by his scar, known for his story, and reminded of the very fateful day his parents were murdered, a murder was attempted on his life, and he survived. Moreover, that he has been living in an abusive, neglectful situation ever since.
The Trauma Of Identity
Coming to victimhood can be an important first step on the road to recovery from trauma. Many people live in denial of trauma they have experienced, or they may have such severely suppressed memories, they cannot remember the trauma they experienced at all. Living with the symptoms of PTSD or other symptoms of trauma, these individuals can feel lost without an identity of their trauma. Identifying trauma and identifying oneself as a victim of trauma, as well as a survivor of trauma, is a difficult but necessary first step in healing the many effects of trauma by removing the fear of the trauma. Harry’s beloved professor, guardian, and mentor, Albus Dumbledore once told Harry that “Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.” Our fear of calling our history what it is, trauma, inhibits our ability to overcome the fear of trauma as part of our lives. Through the rest of his adventures, both literally, for him, and metaphorically, for the readers, Harry walks through and overcomes his trauma.
You can walk through your trauma. The Guest House Ocala offers residential treatment programming for trauma, addictions, and related mental health issues. Call us today for information on our customized programs and availability: 1-855-483-7800