Harry Potter and the warp of resilience

Isla Lonie

doi:10.9791/ajpanz.2001.16

Isla Lonie

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9791/ajpanz.2001.16

Abstract

This paper pursues the theme of resilience in psychological functioning using the example of Harry Potter as traumatised child who manages to survive his early adversive experiences to become a mature and caring older boy. By contrast, Lord Voldemort, the villain in the stories, also has a history of early deprivation but the outcome for him is highly antisocial.

We live in exciting times for increased understanding of the often subtle events which now seem to form the initial conditions which may lead to such differences. A selection of these insights from research in attachment and early trauma is provided to illustrate the theme.

Author Biography

Isla Lonie

As recorded in 2001.

Isla Lonie is a psychiatrist who has worked as a psychotherapist in Sydney, Australia, over the past 30 years. She has been particularly interested in people with histories of early trauma, and in the effects of trauma early in life before the beginnings of speech. She is currently Director of Advanced Training in the Psychotherapies for the RANZCP in New South Wales.