An Analysisi Of The Evolution Of Heroic Values By Comparing Ancient Greek Myths And Harry Potter Series

Since the publication of the first novel Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 1997, Harry Potter Series sweeps the whole world rapidly and has attracted more and more attentions from thousands of readers. Therefore, the series has become one of the most best selling fantasy novels even and J. K. Rowling has been one of the most famous writers of children literature in the world because of the series. The researches on Harry Potter series have begun to take shape and have shown the trend of diversification. Scholars at home and abroad study the novel from the aspects of culture, translation, narration, prototype, etc. But it is still needed to explore the theme aspect of Harry Potter series, especially the aspect of heroic values. Based on the theory of new criticism, the paper studies the heroic values of Harry Potter series systematically so that people can understand the work better. This research has analyzed the heroic values and the evolution of its connotation shown in Harry Potter series compared with the Greek heroic values. Through the study, we can find out that the heroic values shown in Harry Potter series changed based on ancient Greek myths.This thesis is divided into six parts. The first part is an introduction, explaining the background and the significance of the research. One of reasons of Harry Potter series'popularity is heroic images'shaping successfully. The significance of the study is to understand the work better. The second part consists of two aspects:concepts and theories, studies on Harry Potter series home and abroad. The third, fourth and fifth part constitutes the body part of the thesis. The third part is about the comparison of heroic values between ancient Greek myths and Harry Potter series. Individual Heroism vs. Collective Heroism, Bravery Proved by Fighting for Beauty vs. by Guarding Friends, Pursuit of Individual Honor vs. That of Team Honor, Blind Loyalty to Monarchy vs. Loyalty with Rational Thinking, Wars As Means of Obtaining Material Profits vs. of Realizing Spiritual Ideals, Wars As Means of Obtaining Material Profits vs. of Realizing Spiritual Ideals. The fourth part is the other heroic values shown in Harry Potter series. It contains rebellious spirit, cooperative spirit and love. The fifth part is factors leading to change. Two factors:geographic environment and cultural environment. The sixth is conclusion. It summarizes the thesis, restates the significance of the research. Western heroic values shown in Harry Potter series have changed based on inheriting ancient Greek heroic values.We will find that heroic values shown in Harry Potter series have changed through the study. The novel also shows Rowling's values, which are the essence of supporting the series. The author thinks one of the main reasons of Harry Potter series'popularity is the successful creation of heroic characters.