An Analysis of Moral Values in the Tale of the Three Brothers by J.K. Rowling
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58258/vxgb5d47Abstract
This study aims to identify, analyze, and categorize the moral values embedded within the characters' actions in J.K. Rowling’s short story, The Tale of the Three Brothers, which is natively found within the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Grounded in literary criticism, this research employs a descriptive qualitative method utilizing textual and content analysis techniques. The theoretical framework used to identify and distinguish the types of moral values is based on Hornby’s (2010) classification of eleven moral values, supported by structural moral definitions from Syamaun et al. (2019) and character development principles from Bertens (1997). The findings reveal that out of Hornby’s eleven categories, nine moral values are prominently present: bravery, humbleness, honesty, steadfastness, sympathy to others, thankfulness, trustworthiness, sincerity, and love and affection. Conversely, cooperativeness and kind-heartedness are explicitly missing from the narrative. The analysis proves that humbleness and wisdom emerge as the most dominant moral virtues. Characters who lacked humbleness (Antioch and Cadmus) faced early and tragic deaths, whereas the humble younger brother (Ignotus) successfully navigated life and met Death peacefully as an old friend. This study concludes that the story serves as a philosophical allegory urging modern readers to abandon greed, practice existential acceptance, and embrace humility in facing mortality.References
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