Word For the Day, Tuesday, July 19, 2005

July 19, 2005 | Slip 18

[NicknamedBob]

Just think, Gimpy!

You knew me when.

[JustAmy]

Sorry I've missed most of the discussion today, but I did want to say re: Harry Potter, that I have to side with Hobbes on this.

Rowling's stories are about magic. Who uses magic?

She had to talk about witches in the story as those are the only ostensibly human creatures who use magic.

She could have used faeries or elves as the protagonists, but then it would not have been the same story, a story of a boy who was burdened by his ordinaryness, "I'm just Harry..." -- until he discovered some hidden strengths.

It's a story about growing up, which means that you may occasionally have to break the rules that have been laid down, if something more important, like someone's life, is on the line. Grown-ups make these decisions all the time -- it is growth for children to face the dilemma and choose the right course.

Had J.K. chosen to write about flying, she might have used birds ... "Jonathan Livingston Seagull", but she chose magic. And why?

Because many people today treat the world around them as if it were one of magic anyway, treating the map as the territory, and imbuing artifacts with arcane mystery.

She wanted to teach them about magic, not about witches.

Insofar as they think about magic, people tend to think that there is good magic and bad magic. She goes to great pains to try to illustrate that love and sacrifice are stronger than greed and lust for power. And you'll note that none of those four things are inherently magical.

Many are put off by the apparent corollary between the power of magic, and the power of spirituality. Does God use magic?

We teach our children with crayons and bright images before we deal with long words in black and white -- it is no more complicated than that.

By NicknamedBob ..... July 19, 2005


Man, these are getting really tough, NnB.
This was the best I could do on such short notice. :)

[NicknamedBob]

See what happens when you have too much time on your hands?

Now, aren't you sorry you quit your day job?

I hope you have fun on your "vacation!" (and give Marissa a hug for me!)

[xsmommy]

interesting viewpoint, not one i share, but interesting. and the illustration was lovely. as i prefaced the whole thing, i really am not anti-harry potter, but i do agree with Pope Benedict in his concerns about the series. But for now, i am much more interested in the new Sup Ct pick!!!

[JustAmy]

LOL

I knew you missed me. :)

Thanks ... it will be nice to get away for a few days.

[NicknamedBob]

Well, I really am not anti-Pope, either. (He did write that before he became Pope, you know!)

I think he is merely tilting at windmills at a time when a man in his position should be galvanizing his flocks to face the real enemy.

My point was that the Harry Potter books are about childhood, and growing into adulthood, with a unique kind of looking-glass called magic, just to make the story interesting.

You got a pick yet on the Supremes? Owens?

[Gabz]

Kiss mah grits...............

[NicknamedBob]

Oh, cool! An invitation to dinner.

You really like grits?

[Gabz]

I love grits..........as long as there is a side of sausage gravy, sausage patties, bacon, and creamed chipped beef.

Oh, and pancakes do come in handy for mopping up all the gravy :)

[NicknamedBob]

Okay, that works for me. Which acre do I have to weed?

[patton]

The acre with the hatch peppers.

[TheGrimReaper]

One "do-over" is a Mulligan.

Two or more do-overs are now called "Clintons".

[Slip18]

I just don't know what to say! Don't know if handcuffs are in order or laughter is in order. I'm bending towards laughter. But I may change my mind tomorrow. Oh, you lucked out. I'm not the subbie. LOL!

[NicknamedBob]

Hmmm, could be hot work. I hope there will be plenty of refreshments.

[tioga]

I doubt teddytheswimmer tussels with this much, but here it is another anniversary.......

[tioga]

I doubt teddytheswimmer tussels with this much, but here it is another anniversary.......

[tioga]

I took in a broken ankle tonight. I thought of you. He had horrific pain.

[xsmommy]

if you had followed the discussion in the thread you would know that i identified the quotes as coming from then Cardinal Ratzinger. While you take Potter over Pope, i will side with the poor misguided old pontiff "tilting at windmills". i think he knows his job and the enemy quite well.dare i say, even better than you... : )

[Texan5]

I've got to leave as soon as I finish this paperwork so I can meet with my customer before she goes to work-I'll have to come to class later. I have not read any of the "Harry Potter" stuff, but one of my neighbors told me her kids were pretty much bored with the books-they liked historical fiction more because it challenged them to read more about the era and events described in the story, which is no doubt a better pursuit than having them daydreaming that they can do magic.

[NicknamedBob]

I read the whole thread, before I made my statement.

Ironic that when the word for the day is tussle, we get into one. It isn't necessarily a choice of Potter over the Pope, but that I think he has chosen an innocuous subject to disagree with.

"i think he knows his job and the enemy quite well.dare i say, even better than you.."

Okay. But I've read her books.