A signification in stone : the lapis as a metaphor for visual hybridisation in the Harry Potter films

dc.contributor.advisorDu Preez, Amandaen
dc.contributor.emailblanch101@iafrica.comen
dc.contributor.postgraduateGeldenhuys, Vincent Marcelen
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-07T15:42:28Z
dc.date.available2008-12-11en
dc.date.available2013-09-07T15:42:28Z
dc.date.created2008-09-05en
dc.date.issued2008-12-11en
dc.date.submitted2008-11-13en
dc.descriptionDissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008.en
dc.description.abstractThis study considers the visual representation of the alchemical idea of the philosopher’s stone (lapis philosophorum) in the Harry Potter films: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Columbus 2001), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Columbus 2002), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Cuaron 2004), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Newell 2005), andHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Yates 2007). The lapis philosophorum was believed to turn base metals into gold and produce an Elixir of Life. As such, it is envisioned as the ultimate alchemical idea, and this study emphasises how the lapis can function as a signifier for an alchemical worldview within the Harry Potter films. Because the concept and symbolism of the Harry Potter films is largely based on JK Rowling’s (1997; 1998; 1999; 2000; 2003; 2005; 2007) original novels, this study provides a detailed comparison of how alchemical imagery is used in the novels and contrasts this with the visual imagery of the films. This study undertakes a hermeneutic analysis of the transmission of alchemical ideals from the literary to the visual medium. It also provides a detailed analysis of interrelated visual icons in the Harry Potter films that represent the idea of the lapis as an embodiment of alchemical perfection. In addition, by studying the interplay between alchemical imagery in the Harry Potter novels and films, and comparing the worldviews represented by each, this study is able to analyse the dynamics of the hermeneutic process. This study concludes with a consideration of how alchemical theory relates to the discipline of hermeneutics, how it influences the process of interpretation, and ultimately the relationship between the alchemical worldview and current perspectives on authorship.en
dc.description.availabilityunrestricteden
dc.description.departmentVisual Artsen
dc.identifier.citationa 2008en
dc.identifier.otherE1137/gmen
dc.identifier.upetdurlhttp://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-11132008-191836/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/29466
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Pretoriaen_ZA
dc.rights© University of Pretoria 2008 E1137/en
dc.subjectAstrologyen
dc.subjectAlchemyen
dc.subjectMythologen
dc.subjectDying goden
dc.subjectRebirthen
dc.subjectResurrectionen
dc.subjectMessiahen
dc.subjectDragonen
dc.subjectSerpenten
dc.subjectWinged sphereen
dc.subjectPhoenixen
dc.subjectHermeneuticsen
dc.subjectChristian universalismen
dc.subjectAuthorshipen
dc.subjectVisual hybridisationen
dc.subjectLapis philosophorumen
dc.subjectPhilosopher’s stoneen
dc.subjectHarry potteren
dc.subjectUCTDen_US
dc.titleA signification in stone : the lapis as a metaphor for visual hybridisation in the Harry Potter filmsen
dc.typeDissertationen

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