Eyes Are Windows to the Soul (a theory about Harry’s green eyes)

by Julie A. 

As a huge fan of Harry Potter (what person on this site is NOT a huge fan), I have had read all the editorials and have come up with a theory of my own. I am a little surprised that no one has written an editorial on, in my opinion, one of the major themes of the series. Harry’s Eyes. We all know that during Lily’s desperate attempt to save Harry, she made the deal with Voldemort saying “my life for Harry’s,” knowing he would try to kill Harry. (I interpreted it into “substitute my life for Harry’s life.) Voldemort killed Lily, turned to kill Harry, SUCCEEDED and *POOF* – green light and Lily’s soul is transferred into Harry’s dead body, bringing him back to life. Now, let me explain myself.

Now, I am sure a lot of you have pets. I’ve had dogs my whole life and there is a saying that goes something like “eyes are like windows to the soul.” Meaning you can see their soul by looking at their eyes. Now right away as I was reading the series, I noticed how many times people told Harry that he has his mother’s eyes (not his eyes LOOKED like his mothers, but that he HAS his mother’s eyes). Knowing Ms. Rowling, she likes to beat-around-the-bush when it comes to important details. She will give several small hints, and I believe that the importance of Harry’s eyes are being over looked by many, many people as being an vital part of Harry’s past. Ms. Rowling has even told us in an interview that “something HUGE will be revealed about Lily Potter,” and “It’s very important in the plot that Harry has his mother’s eyes and that her wand was very good for charms.” Well what could be HUGER than this??

The first comment was made by Hagrid to Harry: “Las’ time I saw you, you were only a baby. Yeh look a lot like yer dad, but yeh’ve got yer mom’s eyes.” (47, SS) Mr. Ollivander also said something along those lines to Harry in the wand shop. “Yes, yes. I thought I’d be seeing you soon Harry Potter…You have your mother’s eyes…” Harry himself noticed the resemblance when he visited the Mirror of Erised the first time and saw his parents. He described his mother to himself: “[She] has dark red hair and her eyes-her eyes are just like mine. Bright green-exactly the same shape.” (208, SS)

Dumbledore explained this to Harry at the end of SS:

“Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign…to have loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin.” (229, SS)

(Her soul perhaps???)

Another comment was made by Dumbledore when he told Harry at the end of the OoTP, “You would be protected by an ancient magic of which he knows, which he despises, and which he has always, therefore, underestimated-to his cost. I am speaking, of course, of the fact that your mother died to save you. She gave you a lingering protection he never expected, a protection that flows in your veins to this day. I put my trust, therefore, in your mother’s blood.” (835-836)

It seems that Dumbledore keeps reiterating the fact that she has this secret form of ancient protection and, of course, Voldemort would not expect it. He was in Slytherin. They look out for themselves and only themselves. Why would he think that Lily would sacrifice her soul to her son? I am convinced Harry’s eyes will have a significant effect on the outcome of the series.


I would love to discuss, feel free to comment to me via email.