Harry Potter Secrets- Article

So you've read the entire Harry Potter series, but did you know that author J.K. Rowling drew much of her inspiration from myths and stories that existed before?

In a recent interview, Rowling shared that her inspiration for part of the most recent book "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" came from a story "The Pardoner's Tale" written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century as part of his collection, "The Canterbury Tales." In The Pardoner's Tale, three men set out to find and kill Death. Similarly, in the Deathly Hallows, there is a story of three brothers who succeeded in beating Death by crossing a river and as reward received gifts from him.

J.K. Rowling's first book is called "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone" in the United States, but "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in Britain. It is based around the legendary magical substance, the philosopher's stone, which has the power of turning lead into gold and — similar to the stone in the book — of everlasting youth.

Rowling also drew many of her characters' names from older stories and real people. Nicolas Flamel (in the first book) is based off of the real-life person by the same name who had a reputation for being an alchemist while he was alive in the 1300s (the chief goal of alchemy is to create a Philosopher's Stone). In real life, there are rumors that Flamel faked his own death and that his coffin is empty. In Harry Potter's world, this is because he actually did discover the stone after all!

Many other characters have names with meanings in other languages. For example, Hogwarts Professor Minerva McGonagall is named after the Roman Goddess of wisdom, Minerva. The Caretaker Argus Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris, is named after a nosy character from Jane Austen's book, "Mansfield Park."

There are lots of secret references to other stories and to real life in the Harry Potter books. You just have to look for them! See if you can find what inspired Poppy Pomfrey or Irma Pince.

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