| Harry Potter: Excellent or Evil? |
We cannot very well discuss bestsellers without mentioning the famous--and now infamous--Harry Potter books that have spent the past year quite comfortably on bestseller lists nationwide. Controversy over the children's fantasy fiction books--about a boy who discovers a world of magic--is being generated in chatrooms, board rooms and classrooms alike. All this frenzy makes one wonder if there has been a recent resurgence of witchcraft among pre-teens lately. Otherwise, why all the commotion? Are we really afraid that the Harry Potter books will inspire some frightful behavior that Peter Pan, Snow White, or the Grimm's Fairy Tales will not? Maybe some of the objecting parents have forgotten how much they loved the magical worlds of Narnia or Nevernever Land, hardly the stuff of sin.
Part of what makes these books so popular is what also makes them threatening to some. The protagonist finds ways to control his environment as well as escape from it. When Harry's aunt begins talking about his reportedly deadbeat dad, who has died, her wine glass explodes in her hand, courtesy of Harry's powers. While this could be perceived as a violent act, Harry's reaction was unintentional and Aunt Marge isn't hurt, after all. Besides, this behavior is frowned upon by the Hogwart's (magic) school, so Harry's is never condoned and he does face retribution for it.
The boy is treated so badly by his relatives that we cannot help but take pity on him. Who can blame Harry for hating the caustic family he is forced to endure? Most of us can remember all too well how it felt when a sibling, a cousin or a classmate was being favored. At the very least we can likely recall feeling a need to escape everyday trials at school or at home. Harry has his escape; he takes the reader with him, and it's nothing short of exhilarative. The Hogwart's School is where he fits in, and where there are others like him. The magic in the books gives us a delicious escape from the situations in our own lives that make us feel trapped.
It seems that this escape appeals to adults as much as it does children; there is even a Web page devoted to adult fans, and talk of creating "adult" covers so that those over 15 needn't hide the books in public, or fumble to explain that it must have accidentally crept into to their brief cases.
While escape from reality can be just as appealing to those who have already passed through puberty, it seems there may also be other factors at play here. The books became increasingly more popular amongst adults as word spread that people objected to them. Yes, people love magic, mystery and controversy.
No one is terribly worried about adults reading fantasy books, of course, except maybe some extremist groups. The burning question is whether these books are a true threat to children's stability, faith and healthy development? Unlikely. Real world violence should probably be much more of a concern, as well as the pre-teen peers that can greatly influence a child's behavior.
If children need to escape to another world, be it Narnia while reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or the Hogwart's school through the cupboard under the stairs, parents should be delighted to see that need realized through a love of reading. I imagine there are far more perilous routes of escape.
Besides, couldn't we all use a little magic in our lives?
~Alison
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Read More...
- Promoting witchcraft in the classroom?, reprinted USA Today article at gift-getter.com
- Harry Potter in the News: A series of news stories from around the world. At gift-getter.com
- CNN and Salon deliver this exploration of the roles of girls in the Harry Potter books.
- Review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone From Publisher's Weekly
- Besotted with Potter. This is a critical essay about how the Harry Potter books are being purchased and read by adults, despite their clearly intended young audience. From the New York Times. Registration required. (free)
- Review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets From Publisher's Weekly.
- Meet the author; a short bio on J.K. Rowling from scholastic.
- Is Harry Potter Harmful to Children? From your About.com guide to Parenting K-6.
- Harry Potter! From the About.com guide to Young Adult Books.
- Excerpts from HP books from the Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club
- School Cuts Access to Harry Potter Books, from Associated Press.
- Senseless Censors: In defense of Harry Potter
- Incidentally, paganism and witchcraft are seeing a resurgence in popularity as a serious religion, at least among adults. About.com has the site to prove it. Take a peek: Paganwiccan.about.com
