Posted on 11/15/2002 2:23:23 PM PST by RJCogburn
The movie adventures of child-wizard Harry Potter will continue on November 15. Far from being an agent of the occult, as his critics contend, Harry Potter is the kind of hero children should be encouraged to read about and emulate, said the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.
"It is true that Harry lives in a magical, fantastical world, but what's important is that he is a hero who wins through intelligence, effort and courage," said Dr. Yaron Brook. "Throughout the series, Harry has developed his talents through hard work and has learned to think for himself, to be honest and to be self-confident. He has friends who share his values and he earns the respect of his teachers. Aren't these the character traits all parents want their children to possess? I know they're qualities I actively try to instill in my two boys."
Dr. Brook said that the critics' focus on the supernatural aspects of the Harry Potter stories is completely non-essential. What is fundamental is the abstract meaning being conveyed during the course of Harry's magical adventures. "The books are, in short, fuel for a child's maturing mind. As vitamins and minerals are essential to a child's healthy physical development, so literature with this view of the world is essential to a child's healthy mental development."
That, at least, is a legitimate objection. While there's a case for letting things slide now and then (especially when breaking the rules produces some beneficial result), overdoing it gives the impression that actions don't have consequences.
Of course Rowling is equally harsh towards plodding, bureaucratic do-goodism.
I was much more fussy about this stuff when I was younger. Since then I have learned, despite the impassioned sermons of many who would speak for God... that Smurfs, Masters of the Universe, KISS, backward masking, Captain Planet, Pokemon, and about a dozen other passing fads...are not going to lead kids into drinking blood from skulls when they grow up.
What can you say to the boy who cries wolf before he actually gets eaten?
Me too...
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