Alchemical Structure and Multiple layers of Meaning: the Horizontal Level

This is a further consideration of my "D&D In HP" post in conjuction with Granger's work on alchemical structure in HP. Alchemy In "The Hidden Key to Harry Potter" Granger describes in detail the alchemical structure as it relates to the characters in HP. The Crucible is in the middle and here is produced the golden soul (Harry). On the horizontal plane, to the left is Red/sulfur (Ron) and to the right is Quicksilver (Hermione). They represent, respectively, the physical passions (being tied to the body) and thought (being free to roam - Hermione's name is the feminine version of "Hermes," the Greek god who becomes "Mercury" in Latin mythology. Of Course, Mercury and "quicksilver" are 2 different names for the element we use in our thermometers, which is also the element used in alchemical practice. Mercury was a messenger and the Latin god of language, which is the spoken expression of thought) On the Vertical Plane, at the top is white (Albus Dumbledore - his first names literally means "white) and on the bottom is Black (Voldemort). They represent, respectively, pure spirit and base material. Granger has primarily discussed the alchemical structure as it relates to these particular characters and their roles. Ron and Hermione play off each other with Harry as the balance in the middle, and they also represent masculine and feminine perspective. The mentalities of Dumbledore and Voldemort will both strongly impact Harry's understanding of the world and his role in it. I have found it helpful in my own personal understanding of the relationships (particularly on the horizontal plane) to use terms from medieval philosophical/anthropological and theological thought. I think the horizontal plane is about the human soul (here "soul," or psyche, is a distinct concept from that of "spirit.") I would say that Ron represents the "biological soul" and Hermione the "rational soul." Harry represents the golden soul as the proper relation, balance (or even marriage) of the biological soul and rational soul in a psychologically healthy human person/soul. Another Layer of Meaning My post on Harry as the bridge between the Muggle and wizarding worlds ("D&D IN HP")caused me to think more and see that these two worlds are representative of the biological soul and the rational soul. Like the muggle world of mundane details, the biological soul is more strongly impacted by physicality - it is subject to hormonal shifts and the like. The world of magic, in its capacity for flight and imagination, is like the intellectual soul. And here again, at the center, the bridge and proper union of the two worlds/souls, is Harry, the golden soul learning charity in the crucible. Thus the alchemical structure lends itself simultaneously to understanding of both the level of our individual human psyche, and of the social/cultural dimension in which we live - both of which Rowling puts much pain-staking work into developing in the books. Final Ironies In his work Granger notes that one of Rowling's favored literary devices in each book is the "reversal." Certain assumptions (prejudices?) are set up only to be overturned in key revelatory scenes. Here too I would say there is an ironic reversal that shows that these two worlds are not meant to be at war with each other; not meant to be in discord but united in harmony (which, as Aristotle points out in criticizing Plato's Republic, is not the same as voices losing their distinctness by singing in unison ... it is voices singing in harmony). We expect the classifications to iron-clad and the worlds to be able each to keep on their own side of the fence if they so desire. But notice - which character represents the element of the biological soul that corresponds to the muggle world (i.e., sulfur)? None other than Ron, who is from a pure-blood family. And who represents the intellectual soul that corresponds to the world of magic (as Granger puts it, being free to look at the world "diagon-ally")? It is Hermione, born of muggle parents.