In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry begins to come to terms with what he defines as his family. Throughout the series we see that the theme of family is constantly coming to define Harry as a character, because he holds the idea of family to such a high standard. However it is in this book specifically that we see Harry truly start to hold value for the idea of family. “We value that which seems of transcendent worth and in relation to which our lives have worth… The centers of value and power that have good value, therefore, are those that confer meaning and worth on us and promise to sustain us in a dangerous world of power” (Fowler, 18). Fowler argues that faith in an ideal we hold to a higher degree than our own life, which allows us to prosper in times of darkness. For Harry this ultimate principle of life is family. As he begins to understand and gain faith in the idea of family, he notably develops and matures into a much wiser and more powerful wizard.
At the beginning of the book Harry is alone in his room doing his wizard homework secretly in…show more content… A really, really happy memory... one that he could turn into a good, strong Patronus... The moment when he'd first found out he was a wizard, and would be leaving the Dursleys for Hogwarts! If that wasn't a happy memory, he didn't know what was.... Concentrating very hard on how he had felt when he'd realized he'd be leaving Privet Drive, Harry got to his feet and faced the packing case once more (Rowling, 200).
When Harry finally conquers the bogart dementor, he remembers the moment when he gets to leave his false family for the first time in his life, and become a part of a newer and infinitely realer family. This achievement accentuates Harry’s faith to the reader. It is undeniable now that Harry has found a purpose in remembering, acknowledging, honoring those people who compose his life and whom he loves; regardless of whether or not he has identified this as faith in