Published Paper Details:

This research paper looks into how trauma shapes the identities of both heroes and villains in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. It does a character analysis to see how personal pain and tough experiences affect a character's morals, decisions, and whether they end up good or evil. Key characters like Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort), and Neville Longbottom are studied to show how similar experiences of loss or neglect can lead to very different paths--some become selfless heroes while others go down a dark road. The research draws on trauma theory and literary analysis, arguing that trauma is a key narrative driver rather than just a background for character growth. It examines how feelings like grief and abandonment shape identities and how support from others can change the effects of these experiences. This work also discusses "chosen resilience" compared to "learned cruelty," pointing out how some characters rise above their pain while others get overwhelmed by it. Additionally, the study explores the ethics of showing trauma in children's literature and how the series helps readers empathize with complex characters by giving a look into their struggles. By focusing on trauma as a shared experience that characters handle differently, the dissertation shows that heroism and villainy aren't just in their nature but are shaped by how they deal with pain. Overall, this research aims to better understand moral complexity and emotional depth in fantasy stories, noting that Rowling's take on trauma adds a lot to the psychological richness of the Harry Potter world.