'A living fire to enlighten the darkness': Allegorical interpretations of Madeleine L'Engle's 'A Wrinkle in Time' and J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'.

摘要

This thesis discusses three allegorical interpretations of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. Thesis begins with explanations of the terms allegory, fantasy, and science-fiction, ultimately proposing the term allegorical fantasy for the combined genre. Allegorical interpretations of the two novels include the battle between good and evil (psychomachia), interconnectedness of life, and omniscient and omnipotent love. The final implications include the use and application of allegory to teach moral decision making and empowerment to young adult readers. Thesis is focused on educators and English allegorists, but has applications for literary criticism as well.