Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Parenthood
Time, Mistakes, and the Past
Friendship, Family, Love, and Bravery
Reputation and Expectation
Death and Sacrifice
Summary
Analysis
In the meeting room at the Ministry, tons of witches and wizards gather to hear Hermione speak. She explains the events that took place at Hogwarts, including Craig’s death, and what they discovered at St. Oswald’s. People are shocked to hear about the possibility of another prophecy and that Voldemort had a daughter.
One of the positive aspects of realizing that Delphi is Voldemort’s daughter is that it helps to clear Scorpius’s name, because she is actually the child Voldemort was rumored to have. This again highlights the unjust burden of that kind of reputation, especially because those rumors and reputations turn out to be untrue.
Themes
Hermione goes on, explaining that they think Delphi has hidden herself in time. Professor McGonagall, who is in the crowd, is shocked that Harry and Hermione kept the Time-Turner (not realizing Albus and Scorpius lied about what happened), but Draco defends Hermione and Harry, saying that they’ve just been trying to protect everyone. Ron stands up as well to defend them. Hermione says that they haven’t given up trying to stop Delphi or find her, but it’s likely that she’s trying to change things in the past—and if she succeeds, most of them will cease to exist, and Voldemort will rule again.
Draco’s defense of Harry and Hermione demonstrates how his character has shifted. He and Harry are starting to be able to put their past rivalry behind them, and as a result, have become stronger for it. This again reinforces how focusing on what a person can change in the present (as Harry and Draco do), rather than dwelling on the past (as Delphi does), is the best way to improve one’s life.
Themes
