Guest Post: The Connection of Ring Composition and Literary Alchemy in the Layout of the Seven Book Harry Potter Series

August 20, 2011 by 21 Comments

The Granger family has almost settled its home into a new house (new to us; it’s a bungalow closer to 100, I’m guessing, than 75 years old) in Oklahoma City. I’ve started a new job — reading Kidnapped and learning Latin fundamentals with nine young friends — and have hopes of one day returning to writing here more than once a month. Right now, still spinning in the learning curve and re-location maelstrom, those seem to be vain hopes, but we’ll see what God and my commitments here allow. Building and putting up a yurt is pretty time intensive, I’m learning.

Fortunately, I have an email inbox full of Guest Posts that serious readers from around fandom have been sending me, all of which are better than anything I might be writing in the distracted state I am in. I will be sharing these over the next two weeks for your comment and consideration.

The first is from William Sprague and touches on two subjects close to HogPro All-Pro hearts, namely, Ring Composition and Literary Alchemy. Mr. Sprague makes the argument that the front and back of the series ring is a set of parallel analogies with the front being a reverse alchemical process (i.e., rubedo, albedo, nigredo) to match the return trip’s proper order. I confess to being intrigued by the idea — and delighted by his exposition. I trust you will be as well. Take it away, Mr. Sprague!

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Filed Under: Literary Alchemy, Ring Composition

One Serious Reader’s Reflections on Holy Friday

April 22, 2011 by 12 Comments

Traditional Christians of both East and West are observing Great and Holy Friday today in remembrance of the sacrificial death of Jesus of Nazareth whom they revere as ‘Christ’ or Messiah. As one of those believers, I offer some thoughts I have had before and after, and, alas, even during the services of this past week along these lines. I have been startled by how much of the imagery of the books we discuss here resonate with the historical events and eternal verities we commemorate this weekend. If you are not a Christian, I doubt these musings below the jump will have any value to you; I will return to my more profane posts for all readers on Monday.

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Filed Under: Hog Pro Notes, Literary Alchemy, Ring Composition, Traditional Symbolism

Was Shelley’s Dr. Frankenstein an Alchemist? Introducing the ‘Potter as Pearl Harbor’ Thesis

February 4, 2011 by 4 Comments

The News from Summit Entertainment this week (H/T to James!) is that the Twilight film makers understand something of what made the Forks Saga the bonanza it has been for them. I’m pretty confident they’d call it “paranormal romance” and “love triangle” rather than “literary alchemy” or “soul triptych” but those of you who have listened to my talks on Harry Potter and Twilight that I gave last weekend at the Eighth Day Institute will recognize the features. From the MTV article, ‘Summit Entertainment To Bring Frankenstein to Life:‘

Summit Entertainment’s already worked box office magic with vampires and werewolves, but can they do the same for Frankenstein (the mad scientist, not the monster)? According to Deadline, the studio behind “The Twilight Saga” has acquired the screen rights to the upcoming YA novel “This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein” by Kenneth Oppel, which hits bookstores August 23.

The novel is a prequel of sorts to Mary Shelley’s classic “Frankenstein.” The plot centers around young Victor Frankenstein and his quest to save sick twin brother Konrad. He seeks help from a mysterious alchemist, who sends Victor and his friend Elizabeth on a dangerous journey to find the three ingredients needed to create a serum called the Elixir of Life that will heal Konrad. Like any YA novel worth its salt, the inevitable love triangle ensues.

Checking out the Amazon page Book Description, we learn the trio’s hero journey has three stages:

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Filed Under: HogPro Book Club, Literary Alchemy, Shared Text

Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Alchemy Chapters

February 4, 2011 by 1 Comment

I’m writing today  — scroll up! — about the Summit Entertainment plans to film the Frankenstein pre-quel This Dark Endeavor. I wanted, though, to put up a few chapters from the original Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley classic before this to give you a chance to read the chapters in which Dr. Frankenstein’s modern genius, of which the book is largely a critique, is revealed as the worst of alchemy and chemistry combined.

Without further ado, then, Shelley’s Frankenstein, the opening alchemy chapters.

Chapter 2

I feel exquisite pleasure in dwelling on the recollections of childhood, before misfortune had tainted my mind and changed its bright visions of extensive usefulness into gloomy and narrow reflections upon self. Besides, in drawing the picture of my early days, I also record those events which led, by insensible steps, to my after tale of misery, for when I would account to myself for the birth of that passion which afterwards ruled my destiny I find it arise, like a mountain river, from ignoble and almost forgotten sources; but, swelling as it proceeded, it became the torrent which, in its course, has swept away all my hopes and joys. Natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my fate; I desire, therefore, in this narration, to state those facts which led to my predilection for that science.

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Filed Under: Literary Alchemy

Eighth Day Institute: Imagination and the Soul

February 1, 2011 by 11 Comments

I am just back from two days in Wichita, Kansas, where I gave two talks on ‘Imagination and the Soul,’ the Eighth Day Institute’s theme. I spoke about the Soul Triptychs, Literary Alchemy, and Ring Composition of the Hogwarts and Forks Sagas. The talks were recorded by Ancient Faith Radio, and, unbelievable to procrastinating me, both have already been posted with the lectures given by Fr. Josiah Trenham and Bryan Smith. The Potter talk was Whence Potter-Mania?: The Spiritual Content and Christian Message of the Hogwarts Saga and the Edward and Bella part Bedazzled at Twilight: What Bella and Edward Teach Us About God. If you want the Ring Composition slides I used for the Ring Composition part of the Hogwarts lecture, you can buy the book here.

Eighth Day Institute is an outgrowth of the unique and invaluable Eighth Day Books, which if you haven’t heard of it, you need to browse their web site, ask for a catalog (the only catalog in existence for which I think readers receive education and edification), and buy some books. In an age where even homogenized booksellers are struggling, Eighth Day Books is something of an icon of what Independent Book selling can be — ‘independent’ not only from corporate control but from the prevalent regime of conformity, consumerism, and conveyor belt complicity. Listen to Warren Farha’s talk Why Bother With Books? on AFR to learn more about this.

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Filed Under: Hog Pro Notes, Literary Alchemy, Ring Composition