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 present, in a Hogwarts classroom, Scorpius is full of excitement—he just asked out Rose. Even though she said no, he tells Albus that he hopes it’ll be the seed that leads to their eventual marriage. He says that Rose pities him, and that’s a good first step to love. Scorpius also suggests that Albus can date the new Potions professor—but Albus protests that he doesn’t have a thing for older women. As they walk through the stairs, they pass Rose, who says hi, calls Scorpius the “Scorpion King,” and walks off with a smile. Albus says that maybe pity is a good start.
Scorpius’s newfound confidence shows how realizing that a reputation does not have to define him has allowed Scorpius to find a greater confidence and freedom with the other students at the school. He realizes that he can make his own reputation through his own actions, and does not have to be defined by a reputation thrust upon him.
Themes
Scorpius says he’s heading to Quidditch, and Albus says he thought they hated Quidditch, to which Scorpius replies that people can change. Albus says that he can’t join: Harry has come to talk to him about something—some kind of bonding. As they part, Scorpius hugs Albus. Even though they said they don’t hug, Scorpius thinks that in the new version of their friendship, they should. They smile at each other and then agree to meet up at dinner.
Just as Harry has been working on not becoming caught up in the past, Scorpius and Albus try to do this as well. They recognize that they can change their present—and themselves—by engaging with other students and the word, as well as by affirming how important their friendship is to each other. That they are willing to hug shows an openness in sharing how much they care for each other, both to each other and to everyone else.
Themes
