Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2008

'Strange how short-sighted being invisible can make you': sight and wisdom in the Harry Potter Series

Andrea Schutz

In English (as in most Indo-European languages) words for sight are cognate with words for wisdom. This paper will explore sight, reason, perception and insight, by considering the visible development in Harry's understanding. Three things are significant in this regard. First, vision as physical sight is the most important sense in the books. Second, logic and intuition both teach Harry through their chief representatives: Hermione and Luna. Finally, Harry must resolve the tension between kinds of knowing in order to understand his role, his duties, and his own power. Harry's understanding shifts from instinctive intuition to reasoned insight.