What is the archetypal setting for Harry Potter?

Answer 1

Harry is an orphan after Voldemort murders his parents and fails to murder him. Dumbledore, one of the greatest wizards of all time, leaves him with his only living relatives, his mother's sister and her family; the Dursleys. They are Muggles - non magical people - but know about the magical world because of Lily (Harry's mother and Harry's Aunt, Petunia Dursley's, sister) being a witch. The Dursley's sincerely disapprove of magic, calling it "freakish", and attempt to stamp the magic out of Harry by telling him false stories about his parent's deaths and sending him to a Muggle school.

Harry, therefore, is without supportive family - especially during his journey through his magical upbringing once he discovers he is a wizard. There are several mother and father figures in the story:

• Dumbledore - the greatest wizard of all time
• Hagrid - who saved him from the wreckage of his parents home and was a friend to Harry, as well as Ron and Hermione (Harry's friends)
• Mr and Mrs Weasley - Ron's parents, who Harry usually ended up spending most of the summer holidays with. They treated him like their son
• Sirius Black - his godfather
• Professor Minerva McGonagall - one of his teachers

All of these people provided Harry with the guidance, help and support that parents would usually give.