Hagrid and Dumbledore: the ‘Red’ and ‘White’ in Harry’s Life
JK Rowling has just made a pleasing revelation, in the wake of Father’s Day this week. Rubeus Hagrid and Albus Dumbledore – two of the most loved characters in the Harry Potter universe – were always meant to be two sides of a father he never had!
Apparently, Rowling had always intended Rubeus Hagrid and Albus Dumbledore to be the two ‘polar-opposites’ father figures for Harry. She had also left the clue to this in their names, the author gleefully reveals in her essay, ‘Alchemy’.
Discussing the study of turning metal into gold – which is alchemy – Rowling reveals that the colours red and white, which are so important in alchemy, can actually refer to the two characters, Hagrid and Dumbledore.
These two men, both hugely important to Harry, seem to me to represent two sides of the ideal father figure he seeks; the former is warm, practical and wild, the latter impressive, intellectual, and somewhat detached.
– JK Rowling, in her essay ‘Alchemy’
Rowling not the ‘Ivory Castle’ Writer of Yore
Gone are the days when authors published huge multi-billion dollar book franchises (which also spanned seven movies, FYI) and then retired to their ivory castles, sighing wistfully.
JK Rowling has proved time and time again that she is the new-age social media-friendly writer – and between her Twitter account and THE Harry Potter website Pottermore.com, she has been engaging with fans long after the book and movie spiel are over.
Rowling has made several shocking revelations on the website, but the latest from her arsenal is more ‘aww-inspiring’ than anything else, really.
A Perfect Father’s Day Revelation
This isn’t the first time Rowling discussed colours to relate to the two beloved Harry Potter characters. She had brought this up once in a previous essay entitled ‘Colours’, where she had said:
To convey their opposing but complementary natures: red meaning passion (or emotion); white for asceticsm; Hagrid being the earthy, warm and physical man, lord of the forest; Dumbledore the spiritual theoretician, brilliant, idealized and somewhat detached.
– JK Rowling, in her essay ‘Colours’
This is an interesting revelation – particularly in the aftermath of Father’s Day. Harry Potter fans will also recall both characters with fondness and relasie how accurate Rowling is, in her analysis. Dumbledore was always seen as the more protective ‘father’, who looked out for Harry – often concealing plans from him for his won good, inviting Harry’s ire. The ‘white’ Dumbledore was clearly the more ‘detached’ father-figure.
The ‘red’ in Hagrid is perfectly played up by his over-enthusiasm and his loud fondness for the young Potter. Yet, Hagrid comes across more as a friend than as an overbearing dad – one that Harry always ran to (breaking school rules at times!)
Rowling has given us several revelations in the past that stunned, disappointed – even angered her fans in the Harry Potter universe.
This, though, makes perfect sense. After all, we love ‘em both!
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