Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing the meaning behind each of the more prominent deaths in the entire Harry Potter series.

Although the first few instalments of Harry Potter were clearly written for a younger audience, it’s evident from the very beginning of The Philosopher’s Stone that this is not a series afraid to kill off characters. In fact, before we even get 50 pages into that very first novel, we learn—alongside a distraught 11-year-old Harry Potter—that his parents not only died but were MURDERED by one of the most evil and dark wizards of all time. And so, while many of us were indeed taken by surprise when some of our favourite characters were later killed off in the books/films that followed, it really should’ve been somewhat obvious that we were in for a dark and treacherous ride. 

Which brings us to today’s topic—all those deaths. What did they mean? Did they stand for anything? Or were they simply meant to toy with our emotions? Well, in today’s video, we’ll be discussing these deaths and, in particular, what each of them meant in the larger context of the series.

To start us off, let’s begin…at the beginning…
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices