The Mirror of Erised reflects the deepest desires of the viewer. Harry sees his family, while Ron sees himself as a successful student. Dumbledore warns Harry not to become obsessed with the mirror and explains its true nature. The mirror is used as the last challenge to protect the Philosopher’s Stone. It provides an important object lesson about the nature of the person looking into it.
The Mirror of Erised is a magical object that features prominently in the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (published in the US as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone). The name of the item is actually a clever pun, as the mirror image of “wrong” is, of course, wishful thinking. The Desire Mirror reflects the deepest desire of the person in front of it, showing them sublimely happy.
Readers are first introduced to the Mirror of Erised when Harry Potter encounters it stored in a side room while fleeing Argus Filch. The frame of the mirror bears the words “erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi”, which when turned upside down reads “I do not show your face but your heart’s desire”. Harry Potter looks in the mirror and sees his parents and family, which go back many generations. When he brings his friend Ron back into the room to look in the mirror, Ron sees himself as a very successful Hogwarts student, holding the position of Head Boy and being praised by his family.
Although Harry doesn’t understand how the Mirror of Erised works, he becomes obsessed with it and returns night after night. Albus Dumbledore realizes this, and appears one night to tell Harry that the mirror is being moved and that he shouldn’t look for it. Dumbledore also clarifies what the mirror does, telling Harry that the mirror does not predict the future or reflect reality, but rather the wishes of the viewer. When Harry asks Dumbledore what he sees, Dumbledore says he sees himself holding a pair of socks, which may not be entirely true.
The Mirror of Erised returns at the end of the book as the last challenge in a series of puzzles used to protect the Philosopher’s Stone. Dumbledore enchants the mirror to give the stone to someone who wants to find it, but not use it. When Harry looks in the mirror, the stone appears in his pocket.
While the Mirror of Erised is seldom mentioned after the first book, it could still play a role in the Harry Potter books, assuming it hasn’t been destroyed. It also provides an important object lesson in the book, because in addition to reflecting desires, the mirror also provides clues about the nature of the person looking into it. Harry, the hero, has noble desires that readers can sympathize with. Voldemort, who is depicted as greedy and selfish, is unable to unlock the mirror key and obtain the Philosopher’s Stone, suggesting it can only be held by the righteous.
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