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	The Order of the Phoenix.net Crossing the First Threshold - Adventure Threshold Experiences in Harry Potter

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Crossing the First Threshold

Adventure Threshold Experiences in Harry Potter

by: Lynne Milum, © 2003

Intended as a companion discussion, JK Rowling's Harry Potter series is considered for her representations of key steps in the Hero's journey. It is hoped that readers will consider these and formulate their own ideas on how Harry fits in as the perennial hero.

Crossing the First Threshold for the Series

Harry, after eleven years of a substandard existence in a home of little love and ignorance of his beginnings, is introduced to a magical world. A place he never imagined existed…

There are many thresholds that could be considered for his entering into the adventure:

• Hogwart’s letters first crossing the threshold at Number 4 Privet Drive,
• Hagrid breaking through the door of the run-down house to find Harry,
• Opening the door to the Leaky Cauldron,
• Reforming the magical bricks of Diagon Alley,
• And of course the dramatic entrance to Hogwarts by crossing the lake.

But it seems that Harry’s true threshold for the series was in the choice he made to follow Hagrid out of the house and enter into a world unknown.

Trial 1 – The Third Floor Corridor

The first book, in addition to introducing us to the magical world for the entire adventure, also includes the threshold to the first trial. Harry must prevent an evil force from obtaining the Philosopher’s Stone. Again, there are so many doors, but the gateway to proceed with the adventure presents itself when encountering Ceberus, the gate guardian (otherwise referred to as Fluffy).

Trial 2 – The Chamber of Secrets

In the second book, the key threshold – one with the prerequisite of locating the doorway – is of course Moaning Myrtle’s Bathroom entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Myrtle herself was the ‘key’ to opening the gate.

Trial 3 – Time as Friend and Foe

Book Three reveals to Harry more of his past – the story of his parents death and meeting his father’s circle of friends. A key threshold is the ‘opening’ of the Whomping Willow entrance by Crookshanks. The more dramatic threshold is with Harry joining Hermione in defying time by use of the Time Turner.

Trial 4 – Triwizard Champions

Harry never crossed the threshold or circle around the Goblet of Fire to enter the contest. In this episode, he is an unwilling or 'reluctant' participant. His new adventure is launched by entering the room off the Great Hall, where the participants gathered.

Trial 5 – Mystery of Mysteries

The culmination of the adventure is the crossing the threshold into the Ministry of Magic through the Telephone Booth. But of course, Harry had already been through that entryway… The uncrossed threshold was the place in his dreams – the Door to the Department of Mysteries.

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Questions and Thoughts:

1. Who is Cerberus?

Cerberus - Cerberos - Kerberos - The Three Headed Hound of Hades
The three-headed, serpent-tailed dog Cerberus was the offspring of Echidna and Typhon. In Hesiod's Theogony, Cerberus had not three, but fifty heads.

Cerberus was a fierce, pitiless, flesh-eating watchdog, stationed by the River Styx, from which post he would keep the living from entering the land of the dead. Even the gods feared Cerberus, but Hercules, for his twelfth Labor, had to kidnap the three headed dog and bring him to King Eurystheus. Vergil included in his Aeneid a trip to the Underworld, in which it was necessary for the Roman hero, Aeneas, to get past Cerberus.

In Book VI of the Aeneid, the Sibyl threw tranquilizers to each of the three heads Cerberus so Aeneas could pass in safety. Orpheus and Psyche were two other mortals who managed to get by Cerberus.

The Order of the Phoenix.net welcomes your ideas on how these steps in the Hero's Journey have been applied in JKR's Harry Potter Series.
Please include which step you are considering, and how specific events help Harry on his journey. Email us your comments and thoughts to The Order of the Phoenix.net and the author.

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