What's The Hassle About Harry Potter?

Cornerstone University ^ | December 10, 2001 | Judith Fabisch

[calmseas]

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What's the Hassle About Harry Potter? By Professor Judith Fabisch Cornerstone University Humanities Chair Ever since the release of the first of J.K. Rowling's books in the Harry Potter series, much of the adult world has been divided into two circles: those who love the books and those who hate them. Negative assessment seems to center in two areas. First, the would-be censors argue, they encourage children's interest in witchcraft and the occult. Secondly, they contend that the books are full of negative adult images and disobedient children. Supporters of the series counter that the books are so well written that they encourage children to read, some for the first time, a desire that for many reaches well beyond the series itself. They also note that the books promote many positive character traits. Opponents, at this point, appear to be more outspoken than supporters. Perhaps we would do well to take a closer look. Harry, surprisingly, doesn't really do much magic except to ride a broomstick. Some accidental things happen early in the story, which he doesn't know how to control, but he doesn't move through life "casting spells." And most of the accidents seem amusingly appropriate, even he remains puzzled. Hermione, the good little "Do Bee" who always studies her lessons, does some levitation and opens a few doors, but these, and much of what else happens, are tricks we have seen on television or in local "magic" shows. Harry's power lies in his goodness, in his decision to do what is right, not in magic. If those who object to Harry are correct, then to be consistent they must eliminate all literature which has magic involved: J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, C. S. Lewis' Narnia series, Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz and, of course, all versions of Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty & the Beast and The Little Mermaid. Contrary to arguments, the magic isn't any different. Gandalf is a wizard, the White Witch is evil, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glenda are witches, Cinderella rides in a magic coach, Snow White is under a spell removed only by a prince's kiss, and on and on. The spells have effects, and they are sometimes lasting. Children's literature often is, like the Potter series, full of negative adult images: Hansel & Gretel's parents, and Snow White's and Cinderella's stepmothers. Even Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians have negative adults who propel the stories. The Dursleys, who abuse Harry, are indeed negative. But Harry has Hagrid and Dumbledore, who befriend him and obviously care for him. Even Snape, who early in the story appears to be evil, is working for Harry's protection, demonstrating that adults are often misunderstood and may have larger purposes in mind. Harry Potter is an adventure series, about risk-taking. Rules are sometimes made to avoid risk to the vulnerable, those we seek to protect. If Harry had been perfectly obedient, evil would have prevailed. The whole point of heroism is that it evaluates the situation and does what is morally right, even if that violates the rules of current culture. If disobedience is the criteria, then we must certainly eliminate the Hardy boys and the Bobbsey twins from our libraries. Harry Potter is about good and evil: Harry and the Dursleys, Harry & Lord Voldemort, Harry and the evil which seems to emit from Slytherin Hall. It's about choosing to be on the side of good in spite of circumstances and lack of proper role models. Harry makes moral choices despite being orphaned and abused. When Harry becomes enamored of the mirror which shows him with his parents, reflecting life as he would like it to be, he chooses reality, something that the evil is incapable of. Later, when he retrieves the sorcerer's stone, he does what needs to be done without consideration of personal gain and regardless of personal risk. Harry Potter is about friendship, love and trust. He waits, while his friend Ron plays out the dangerous giant chess game; he works with his friends through the dangers of overcoming real evil, and he acknowledges the bravery of others. And it's about fun. Who hasn't dreamed of having an invisible cloak, or flying, or having access to secret entrances? Even I, who usually avoid most team games, would love to watch a Quidditch match! I read the first book as a professional necessity. I saw the film and read the next three books because they are, simply, charming and well written. Many critics, by their accusations, make it dubious that they have read Harry Potter at all. Several years ago we listened to similar criticisms of Star Wars; now it's a "cultural icon." While some of the later books may be too "scary" for very young children, they are not inherently evil, a distinction we often make in our own, adult, reading. Our children are often a good deal more perceptive than we give them credit for. They know that Harry Potter is "just a story" with the elements that make any story good. Adults cry, "Wolf," calling shadows reality, adventure disobedience, and imagination evil. They mistake the vehicle for the messenger and shoot it down, often without ever looking inside. Perhaps the time has come for better informed, independent judgment.

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[calmseas]

I posted this article under another thread, but thought it good enough that it deserves a wider readership. Thus, here it is. This pretty much sums up my feelings about this subject. Comments?

[calmseas]

Well, I don't get why the photos and images appear fine in "preview" and then disappear once the article is posted. Can anyone answer that for me?

[M. Thatcher]

FYI Cornerstone is an evangelical Christian school.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I agree.... good story of good triumphs over evil!

[calmseas]

FYI Cornerstone is an evangelical Christian school.

And a good school at that. I wouldn't have my daughter anywhere else.

[js1138]

Images have to be hosted somewhere, that is they have to be on a publicly accessable web site. You seem to have copied some HTML without editing it to make sure all the links work.

As for Harry, I agree completely. The books, especially the fourth, are quite readable, except for the terminally humor impaired.

[Pete]

The debate is old and tiresome. It looks like this article was just published. Talk about coming late to the party. On top of that, this author is relying on wornout arguments.

For example, if someone supports Harry Potter because it started their child reading, they have bigger problems to deal with - try getting rid of the video games.

Second, a comparison to Tolkien and CS Lewis illustrates that this author is way behind the curve. Several books have been written on the subject that clearly show that any comparison is shallow, at best.

The suggestion that Harry Potter is "well written" is just silly. There are very few Potter supporters who point to the literary merits of the books as a big selling point.

I could go on. It is getting to the point where shrill Potterites like this author are starting to resemble Seinfeld's George when he says. "Yes, it is important that everyone likes me." These people are not happy just reading the series. They will only be happy when everyone else agrees with them and reads it as well. Methinks thou dost protest too much.

Frankly, I really don't care what other people read. Similarly, I appreciate not being told what I should or should not be reading. Anyway, Potter is old news. Let it go.

[calmseas]

Frankly, I really don't care what other people read. Similarly, I appreciate not being told what I should or should not be reading.

I agree with you here.

[calmseas]

Images have to be hosted somewhere, that is they have to be on a publicly accessable web site. You seem to have copied some HTML without editing it to make sure all the links work.

This is the problem I am having. The html looks fine, and works fine in "preview." Then once it is posted, it no longer works. This is what I can't figure out? I'll look at it again and see if I overlooked something. I had this problem once before, but most of the time the images will post correctly. In this case, I don't know where the problem lies.

[babylonian]

The Potter books and movie(s) stimulates a child's curiosity about witchcraft. PERIOD! When the Bible says to abstain from all appearances of evil, this includes Harry Potter.

[united1000]

Well I read the books just because I thoroughly enjoyed them.  My 6 year old Grandson has read the first two books with his Dad.  He at six loves to play Myst on the computer with his Dad.  His Dad grew up on science fiction and fantasy, just as I did, and turned out to be smart enough to be able to retire at the age of 33. I am sure his love of reading, especially science fiction and fantasy, helped fuel his imagination, which helped fire his interest and success in the business world. All three generations of us are stable and well adjusted.   He at the age of thirteen was writing software games under contract with a local software company.  Actually I had to sign for him because of his age.  Harry Potter's only danger is children who have ignorant parents.

[vigilantes]

Let's stay away from Snow White...got a witch in there too.

[ctdonath2]

Do you advocate abstaining from Lord Of The Rings and The Chronicles Of Narnia?

[Pete]

I agree with you here

I am glad to hear it. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all our fellow freepers. I have commented on other threads that I, as a parent, had decided that I would not allow my children to read the series. That's all I said. The result was that I was instantly given the "Taliban" label - in some cases by other Christians. Other labels have included "fundie" and "Talibornagain" among other equally offensive monickers. I have never advocated censorship yet there seem to be quite a few who are more than willing to censor me - or worse.

One guy was freaking out talking about armed Christians coming to his door and how he would shoot them. A more common comment was how we could "do without" people like me. All because I had blasphemed the name of "Potter" by not allowing my children to read it. Scary stuff, my friend.

[vigilantes]

You can find "nuts" highly zealous about anything, my friend.

[Pete]

Let's stay away from Snow White...got a witch in there too.

Thank you for this example. It is exactly the kind of shallow comparison I was referring to in my #7 post.

[js1138]

Here's the link I get for your image:

http://www.freerepublic.com/News.nsf/5652b5d52f812577852568d3004fba67/0bab6fcba1ea540385256b1e0056140a/MainIntroText/0.194?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif

Doesn't seem likely.

[Arthur McGowan]

I haven't read the books, and have seen the movie. All I can say is: I enjoyed the movie from beginning to end and saw no evil in it.

[babylonian]

I don't advocate anything for anybody except me and mine. But me and mine don't.

[Severa]

6yrs old and he's playing MYST??? *LOL* Wow. That's remarkable. That game is a real challenge to most adults. *s* Can't blame you for being a proud grandpa.