J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

Quote

[T]he doors were slamming all along the scarlet train, and the blurred outlines of parents were swarming forward for final kisses, last-minute reminders. Albus jumped into the carriage and Ginny closed the door behind him. Students were hanging from the windows nearest them.

[…]

The train began to move, and Harry walked alongside it, watching his son's thin face, already ablaze with excitement. Harry kept smiling and waving, even though it was like a little bereavement, watching his son glide away from him…

The last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner. Harry's hand was still raised in farewell.

"He'll be alright," murmured Ginny.

As Harry looked at her, he lowered his hand absentmindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead.

"I know he will."

The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well. (Epilogue)

In the Epilogue to the final novel in the series, we see Harry nineteen years after his defeat of Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts. He's sending his own son, Albus Severus, off to Hogwarts. (Cue "awww.")

Thematic Analysis

We all followed Harry as he went through some epic conflicts against Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. These conflicts culminated in the Battle of Hogwarts, where Harry came pretty close to losing his life.

But in this epilogue to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, we (of course) see that everything has turned out a-okay for Harry in the end. He married Ginny; he has three kids; and his sons are following in his footsteps.

Optimism much?

Stylistic Analysis

You know that line "happily ever after"? Well, it's really easy to have that when you skip ahead decades in time. Do we think Harry ran into more problems between the Battle of Hogwarts and this moment?