abby

Abby Goodyke

Mrs. Roskamp

LA, 8A

19 October 2015

Thematic Essay

The book that I chose is Harry Potter. Harry Potter has a lot of lessons based on friendship, family and life. How first of all, Voldemort killed his parents, then tried to kill him, and something made that plan fail. Then he goes and lives with his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia and their son Dudley Dursley. They treat him like garbage and make him live under a cupboard. He also never knew he was a wizard, and doesn’t even know who his parents are. One day, he got the mail for Uncle Vernon and there was a letter for him. He never gets mail, so he came back in then Dudley found out about it and gave it to Uncle Vernon and he flipped it over and saw the Hogwarts crest, he was mad and then they were ignoring it, then over the next few days, and he demands they go far away. Then they end up at a lighthouse in the middle of nowhere. At midnight, there was a big CRASH and BANG. A big furry giant came into the lighthouse and said “Happy Birthday Harry!” Harry was speechless, scared and confused. The giant introduced himself as Hagrid the gamekeeper at Hogwarts and he was thinking Harry read the letter. Then HAgrid found out that the Dursleys didn’t tell him a word, and was furious. Hagrid immediately got Harry ready to go shopping for school supplies in Diagon Alley and they have a tiny adventure there. Then Harry had to wait a whole month to go to Hogwarts and he met good friends and bad ones, but they are suspicious about something going on, so then they investigate and find out that they are storing the sorcerer’s stone, and Voldemort is back and tries to kill Harry again, but failed.

My thesis is, he has humility through everything and he stays courageous.

A theme of Harry Potter, is humility. He is humble when he is living with the mean, cruel Dursleys. After long, terrible years, he is patient with the Dursleys and everyone around him. THe Dursleys made him feel not loved at all, and yell at him all the time. Even when he gains fortune, like for example, when he meets Ron Weasley on the train, Ron has hand-me down everything. Robe, pet, wand and clothes. His family didn’t have a lot of money. When Ron brought homemade sandwiches on the the train as a snack, Harry has quite a fortune from his parents, so he bought some goodies for him and Ron.

When he gains fame, he does not change. He isn’t being poise or bragging on the train, because he hopes he can live up to his reputation. Unlike Draco Malfoy, who thinks he is better than everyone because he is pureblood, rich and shows achievements. Because of Voldemort, he is special since he couldn’t kill him. Everyone thinks that’s amazing, it really is, but he is still loyal to Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and his studies during his fame. Although all the mysteries around Hogwarts amuse him, he is still poise, wise and patient, like good ol’ Dumbledore.

His fame gave him confidence and bravery for many adventures in his 7 years at Hogwarts. He also has the patience with the teachers and students who dislike him, he is still and patient through humility. Also, when Harry has a gift for Quidditch, his reaction is not to boast in his superstar abilities, but to practice more and more than before. When Harry breaks the Quidditch records by catching the golden snitch in the first few minutes of the game, he does not stop to appreciate the roar of the crowd, but he rushes off.

The conclusion of Harry Potter, is that he stayed true to himself and his friends during times of trial with humility. He was brave and confident in all of his years, with help on his side with all the professors, students and friends. He stayed to himself and never boasted. Never boasted when he was picked on the Quidditch team, and whenever his friends chose him.

His central thesis was humility through all occasions.

My opinion of the book, is that it was very well written. The author really did well with continuing the story and showing the time, place and emotions. I believe that J.K Rowling should write more books, not just simply on Harry Potter, but with other things. Maybe things that are more current. I’ve always thought “How did they invent that game?” or “How did they make up names and backstories for a bunch of characters?” This series is definitely one of my favorites and I definitely recommend it.

Abby Goodyke

Mrs. Roskamp

LA 8A

16 September 2015

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on the rock.

The rain came down the streams rose and the winds blew and beat on that house yet it did not fall for it had its foundation on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25

Being an 8th grader is fun. There are a lot more opportunities like being a small group leader or on worship team. It’s fun because some 6th grade girls in my small group are all around me and I love it. I love working with kids because they have so much energy and it’s very contagious. I’m very creative and I love using that in many ways. Photography, Small Group, Middle school chapel, class and home.  

Being a Christian in the world can be scary. Christians all around the world are being persecuted just for their religion and think about World War 2. Someday I hope to be a missionary and travel the world and talk about God. Like it says in Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” I will delight in the Lord by being a missionary around the world.

“Built on the rock” is now a huge part of life because I think of it all the time at school, church, home or on the go.