Trauma Through Different Eyes: Inner Child Trauma as Seen in Harry Potter/ Star Wars Movie
Ever wonder why movies create a following and a fandom that surpasses the average film? It is because subconsciously, we see a part of us in the movie, and we go back multiple times to revisit and understand ourselves better. It is also because the special effects are great and serve as a moment to disconnect from the stressors of every day, however, most of the time it is because we see our internal wounds represented in the big screen and we see these humans navigating the process of learning how to deal with the pain.
This week’s movies are two that have created generations of fans, and fandoms. Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling and then the movies, and Star Wars movies by George Lucas are separated by two decades but have similar story lines, great fandoms and one shared topic: inner child wounds.
How dare I compare Star Wars to Harry Potter, you may say. Well let’s chat and look at the movies from a purely factual perspective. We have young orphan boys, raised by family members who know their inherent power but suppress any inkling of them expressing said power. Their eyes are opened to their true nature at a turning point and from that moment on they are thrust into a series of events where their emotional and physical lives are endangered. They face the obstacles accompanied by two good friends and by an older, wiser guide. They have to face the pain of, in one case a father figure who despises him as he sees him as weak (Luke and Darth Vader dynamic), and another who faces the killer of his parents (Harry and Voldemort dynamic).
Both of these characters mirror our inner child wounds, the wounds that are our shadows, our darkest moments, the ones we either bring to the light (with a light saber), or the ones we hide (with an invisibility cloak). Because these characters, and us as these characters, were inexperienced and underdeveloped when trauma happened, our bodies, our emotional minds aren’t ready to process the enormity of what happened without external aid… cue to screen Han Solo, Leia, Ron Hermione, Yoda, Dumbledore, and your current or future therapist.
Walk with me through the events of abandonment that we see in inner child wounds. Those moments when we (and the main characters) were people-pleasing. Moments when we did things that we did not want, but that secured us a roof, food and an emotional connection of sorts. In the movies, when Luke is told by his Uncle what he should do, and when Harry acquiesces to the sometimes ridiculous requests of his Uncle and Aunt. How many times have we stepped over our own boundaries in order to please others in the fear that if we don’t they won’t like us, love us, or even see us as worthy.
Other inner child wounds we see in the movies is the ways in which our authentic selves are divided and disconnected after the trauma of inner child wounds. We neglect our own needs and this creates a chasm between our inner and external worlds. It takes Luke time with Yoda learning the Jedi ways in order to release the self-loathing and connect with himself and self-love. It took Harry the understanding that he was only one of the 7 horcruxes to have a deep realization that the strength he sought resided in him all this time.
One moment rings true in both of these movie series, working with inner child wounds is a messy business which will bring to the surface our biggest foes and show the colors of our truest friends. It invites us to open up to vulnerability and decide to live our most authentic lives, especially when we lost a hand or carry a scar on our forehead, because let’s be real, life is not perfect.
If any of these topics made you feel as if they were a mirror of events that have happened or are happening to you, and you wish to address these in therapy, feel free to call us at 813.434.3639 and let Harper Therapy be your home for Hope, Growth and Healing!
