Clubis

21 Responses to “Harry Potter Overlooked?”

1. Moof Says:
   March 15th, 2006 at 10:51 am

   I hope you don’t mind if I comment on the Harry Potter stuff. We had the same discussions at home when I was homeschooling the last two of my four, and I weighed in every bit as badly as did most of the other parents with high school aged kids. And you’re absolutely right about the reason for the hesitancy to allow the very popular Harry into our homes.

   There’s more than that, however.

   Harry Potter has taken, not a small group of people, not a state, not a country, but the entire western world by storm. He’s invaded every nook and cranny of young people’s minds … and even of some rather more elderly “young” people.

   His is not the same “magic” as you find in the Sword and Sorcery genre of books in the Sci-Fi department …

   You’re probably thinking: “Wait! Yes! It is the same!”

   But really, no … it isn’t … and here’s the difference:

   All of the popular Sci-Fi writers: David Eddings, Mercedes Lackey, Zelazny … too many to mention … write engaging works of fiction. You might prefer one author, I might prefer another … and when either of us get done reading whichever brand of Sci-Fi we like best, we know we’ve been reading fictions. They haven’t taken over our lives … the next door neighbor’s life … the lives of 92.6% of all the kids we know outside of our home … etc. …

   Add that rather disturbing idea to the following thought, and it becomes a serious problem for someone who wants to see Christianity continue to flourish, untainted, into the next several generations:

   Harry Potter was so well written, is so engaging, and has become so popular across such a wide portion of the world, that it has made the “dark arts,” those arts which are often unmasked for what they really are in other works of fiction, become innocent looking, humorous, something that everyone wants to be a part of because it’s so engaging. The very real danger behind a very real and dangerous metaphysical science has been quelled by dressing it in a suit of innocence and candor. And not only that - hey! It can’t be bad - everyone across the Western World thinks it’s OK! (Except for a couple of religious people who are having a terrible time explaining exactly why they think it isn’t.)

   A well developed spirituality will recognize the dangers inherent in Harry Potter … even without being able to explain (verbal logic) it to another person. The reason for that is that “action of the Holy Spirit” we read about when we’re getting ready for Confirmation. As spirituality matures, His inner warnings get louder. You might not even understand the full sense of what He’s telling you, but the feeling of having been warned off is there, nevertheless.

   And that’s my rather awkward effort at explaining “Don’t go there!” reaction you guys are all getting from your folks. Sorry about the long comment! 0.o

2. Eric Says:
   March 15th, 2006 at 11:14 pm

   I understand better now the logic of why Harry Potter has been criticized so heavily by some parents, but I still have a few questions and a point or two that I’d like to make.

   I can recognize how kids, fully immersing themselves in the metaphysical aspects of the modern fantasy genre, might begin blurring the line between fiction and nonfiction. They like the book so much that they wish they could do the same things Harry can do, so they begin turning to the real world of witchcraft, etc.

   That logic is rather sound.

   My problem is that so many other forms of fiction use the exact same topics of magic and present them in the same (or similarly) innocent ways as J. K. Rowling so masterfully does, but yet they are not so condemned. To name a few: Sabrina, the Teenage Witch; the Forgotten Realms series; and (my favorite) Magic: The Gathering.

   My logic is that if we’re boycotting Potter, why shouldn’t we boycott The Dark Elf Trilogy while we’re at it?

   To me it seems foolish to say, “J. K. Rowling, you write so well that I’m not going to let my child read your books.”

   And then to turn around and effectively say, “Mr. R. A. Salvatore, your writing is pretty much crap, so even though you’re talking about the same things J. K. Rowling is, I am going to let my kids read your books.”

   I do understand that the overwhelming popularity contributed to its overwhelming criticism, but if Harry Potter were replaced by “The Life of Jesus,” there would be no such condemnation (from Christians, anyway).

   What I mean is that maybe it is not only Harry’s popularity that caused him to become a bad thing. The fundamental cause is that ungodly supernatural aspect of the book. This being supposed as the true cause, I would like to pose the following theory:

   If any piece of modern fantasy dealing with magic becomes as popular as Harry Potter, it should be banned.

   Does this seem right? If so, then maybe I should stop writing fantasy. I want my books to become popular, but the paradoxical twist is that if they become popular I become an agent of the devil. And I don’t want that.

   The more I get out, the more I can see Harry Potter fading away much like Pokémon did a few years back. Popular culture has shifted somewhat. Now I find more kids interested in books like A Series of Unfortunate Events or Eragon than that classic tale of wizardry.

   This leads me to compose another elegant theory, which is really just another way of saying my first theory:
   If a book is not as popular as “Harry Potter,” it should not be banned.

   Maybe?

   When peer pressure no longer forces kids to delve into the metaphysical aspects of the book, and Harry can be looked upon as a just another good story, should it be allowed?

   Of course, all the hype begins anew whenever a new book or movie is released, but once the common populace has consumed all seven novels and films, are Christians then allowed to pick up the remains and enjoy the story as, well, a story?

   One final thought: at what age should people be “allowed” to read Harry Potter? I don’t think “never” is the right answer here, for parents must first read the books to form accurate judgments of them to begin with.

   The only analogy I can think of at this hour is what tiresomely follows:

   In my Political Philosophy class at UNH I am reading the book City of God by St. Augustine. I am also reading The Communist Manifesto and Beyond Good and Evil… if that helps at all.

3. Moof Says:
   March 16th, 2006 at 12:01 pm

   At first, this is going to sound as if I’m jumping from one unrelated topic to another. Bear with me, I’ll do my best to tie them all together at the end.

   -

   At my house, most of us read Sci-Fi, and really enjoyed the Sword and Sorcery stuff. I was especially enamored of Kurtz’ Camber and Deryni series, which is very Catholic - and very full of some of the wildest magic I’ve ever read about. I encouraged my kids to read voraciously … including all of that stuff.

   We also all “mudded” … and I still do on occasion. I’ve earned a reputation for being able to build some very realistic “zones” for people to mud in, including one with a setting in South Berwick - and themed on the “Three Days of Darkness.”

   If you don’t know what Mudding is, check this out: Aardwolf.

   The only reason I’m not “mudding” now is because I’ve gone back to college, and mudding is addictive, and if I were mudding, my grades would really, really be hurting.

   -

   Around the time my daughter was born, our nation legalized abortion. Those of us who were horrified were told that it would be only used in extreme cases - rape, incest … danger to the mother’s life, etc.

   The relatively low number of people who chose abortion grew steadily over the years, until in some places like NYC, more than every 3rd child is aborted. What started out as “emergencies only,” turned into birth control … and from there went to eugenics … and from there - to sex selection. Now a baby can legally be aborted moments before its natural birth - as long as it never draws breath.

   We’ve moved from that disrespect for life, quite naturally, to Terri Schiavo and the patients which were euthanized during the Katrina crises last September. Believe me, it won’t stop there.

   Once there’s a hole in the dam, the water forces its way through, and keeps making the hole larger, until the entire structure loses its integrity.

   -

   When I was little kid, my mother (God rest her sainted soul) used to tell me: “It’s always hardest the first time!” …

   And she was right! The first time I lied to her - that was the hardest time. The next time was a little easier … the time after that was easier still … and soon it had become very easy indeed to say things like “Yup Ma! Homework’s done!” when I hadn’t cracked a book for the entire week end, and still had 2 book reports and a 3 hours of math to do! (And it was Sunday night at 7 PM! *eek!*

   Took me many years to unlearn that particular skill …

   ————————————-

   Where am I going with all of this rambling? Has the old lady finally lost it, and is now meandering down the byways of ancient history?

   Nope … not quite yet.

   I’m trying to graphically express the following things:

   1) Realize that I’m not prejudiced against most Sword and Sorcery or fantasy, and in fact, my kids and I not only really enjoy it, we have actively participated (and lost ourselves) in games which have occupied us for years at a time. With great enjoyment. Dougie and I still talk about his writing a mud from scratch in PHP, and opening it up to the public.

   2) Some stuff sneaks up on you so gradually, that you can’t see where your old thinking ended, and where your new thought processes asserted themselves. This is quite dangerous when it’s not a positive, or at least a neutral, graduation.

   3) The first time you try something is the absolute hardest. If it’s something you know is wrong, your conscience bothers you, you’re get a paranoid reaction in your gut, and you worry about having done whatever it is for a long while. The second time, your conscience is a bit less bothered, and you find that although it’s painful, it’s not as bad. The third time … well, you get the picture. Finally, you get to a point when it becomes as natural as breathing … and it doesn’t take all that long.

   Now - let me try to tie all of my long-winded ideas together …

   First off, nothing should ever be banned. I’m not talking about a parent’s right to prevent kids from getting into stuff they want to protect them from, though. You’ll see that rather clearly for yourself later - although as intelligent as you are, you probably already have a good handle on it. But no book, no movie, nothing should ever be banned.

   What should happen is that individuals who find the movie, book, idea, whatever it is, offensive, not partake of it … and if they’re responsible for youth, to make it clear to them why it’s not good for them. God leaves us our free will as thinking, reasoning adults. We should allow everyone to act on their own free will - as long as their free will does not hurt, damage, take away the rights of, negatively impact, another human being.

   That said … the kids who read Harry Potter, and found the affirmation of all of their peers, and most of the adults in their lives, now have the definite idea that there’s nothing at all wrong with the book or anything in it. That’s the “everyone is doing it” phenomena. Had they read something by Salvatore instead, the “everyone’s doing phenomena” would not have kicked in.

   When you read (or write) Sword and Sorcery, you know you’re dabbling in fiction. It might be engaging, entertaining, but usually, you can finish the book and think: “Wow! That was great!” and then go on with your day. A faddish phenomena like Harry Potter doesn’t allow that “go on with your day” response to kick in. It’s all around you. You become immersed in a Harry Potter world. Marinated! That will affect some people more than others. I’m sure you’ve known people who’ve become obsessed with ideas before … this is worse, because so many around them are also obsessed. For a while, it was hard to find kids’ school stuff without a Harry Potter theme!

   For someone with deep Christian roots, there’s a knowledge that S & S, in reality, is a dangerous metaphysical science (pseudoscience.) That thought is there, even when you’re reading very engaging books. When you’re done reading, you can separate the book from your life because of the contrast.

   Harry Potter gets around that completely because it’s humorous, innocent seeming, engaging, hilarious, and amazingly innocuous. The taboo the other books still leave you with - is now broken. The ideas from the book settle in quite comfortably because of the above reasons, and also because they seem so innocent - and now the real damage is done, because less innocent ideas will henceforth be easier to swallow.

   This can progress … until it moves beyond knowledge, and into some actions. No, I don’t mean spell casting … (if you learn how to do that, I’d like my house magically cleaned!) … but in wishing another person ill, or indulging in astrology, numerology … and like so many Catholics have fallen prey to: the enneagram.

   Old Scratch is getting smarter in his dotage … he understands the power of humor and innocence, and he has learned to use it quite well to get a claw-hold on the highly impressionable minds of the young - and the not so young. They young will now grow up with their resistance against the metaphysical dark arts a bit worn down … ready for something more serious later. There’s a little dribble of water coming through the dam.

   About the witch shows on TV … I honestly don’t like those any better. I don’t like anything that portrays the “black arts” as good, innocent, funny, engaging, and “ordinary.”

   Phew! This has been long … I’m sorry. Do you ever have that feeling that you’ve been talking (or writing) for hours, but you still haven’t managed to fully spit out what you want to say? Well, that’s how I now.

   You know what? That could even be a part of the danger behind all of this … it’s so insidious that we find ourselves unable to fully express the problem.

4. Eric Says:
   March 16th, 2006 at 11:02 pm

   Exceptional comment above, in my opinion. I think that I, and anyone else reading this, should have a much deeper understanding of the problems with Harry Potter now.

   Yet, I do have few more “but what about in this situation” type questions.

   The main reasons why I decided to read Harry Potter were (a) so I could find out for myself what all the hype was about, not having any realistic reasons given to me, and (b) so that I wouldn’t copy any of J. K. Rowling’s ideas in my own books.

   Quite often do my ideas, which I absolutely believe are original, turn out to have been used before. The last thing I would want is for a potential publisher to read my book and say, “Yeah, you see, you’re just copying Harry Potter here,” and then tell me I have to write the whole thing over. I’d rather like to know what I’m up against, in a sense. In this case, was it right for me to read the book?

   Actually, I guess I lied. I also still have one small quandary with all of this.

   Not all things are what they appear to be at first glace, or even at second glance. Too often do people propose theories based only on the “outermost layer of the onion,” when, if they peel back a few more layers, they uncover something completely different from what they had originally perceived.

   This is exactly what happened in my case. At first I had absolutely no problem with Harry whatsoever, but now I understand what is understood to be wrong with it. I have peeled back the first layer. But now (and I might be completely wrong about this) I wonder, as they say, how deep the rabbit hole goes.

   Having established that it’s okay to talk about magic, but not to costume the contemporary genres of the metaphysical in a garb of virtue, we have concluded one thing. This of course is that one should never describe authentic modern forms of dealing with the supernatural as if they were totally innocent subjects.

   If so, then I have a very good understanding of what’s wrong with Potter. But is this exactly what J. K. Rowling is doing? My recollection of the story brings to mind only such magical classes as Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

   The first class, Herbology, is a non-magical real life science. The second seems rather fictional to me. Potions, the third, is used in nearly every fantasy story I have read as a neutral magical application used in most cases by the forces of good, and the fourth seems to imply an evilness of the “dark arts,” which appears to go against our aforementioned understanding.

   I guess what I’m wondering is exactly at which point Harry Potter applies to the “definition of wrongness” made above. If it does, I can see where we have a problem, but I am currently at a loss for information.

5. Moof Says:
   March 17th, 2006 at 11:14 am

   My amazing interlocutionist … you are certainly making me use my rather cob-webby brain …

   I must make an admission at this juncture. I have not read Harry Potter. *blink* I know … you’re probably going to point out the logical problems behind making pronouncements on something I have not myself experienced first hard.

   Very astute. And if it were the entire case in point, it would also be very accurate, and I would duly have to put my tail between my legs and go hide under a bush.

   However … (didn’t you just know that there was going to be a however in the next sentence? ;- ) … the actual contents of the book are not as much the issue as are the following points:

   1) The basic theme itself.

   2) People’s amazing response to the novels.

   3) The subsequent general softening of views regarding the theme over such a vast geographical area, and in so many people who would otherwise have immediately shied away from the entire issue because of the subject matter.

   4) The lasting effects that general softening will have on impressionable young minds, who, later in life, may have to fight periods of doubt in their faith.

   A soft fuzzy childhood feeling behind metaphysical ideas which are contrary to basic Christian beliefs could prove to be troublesome - especially if the seeker has no memory of specifically where the warm feelings came from, as is often the case when we are impressed with something in our youth, and feel the effects of it 20 or 30 years later.

   As adults, sometimes we need to hang onto God with both fists, our teeth, and with everything the arsenal of our Faith can give us. At times like that, any metaphysical admixture could be detrimental, and make the difference between remaining in our Faith, or wandering down other pathways … in our search for what we think is an elusive “truth.”

   Whether Rowlings was deliberate … I have no clu(bis) *cough* … but I’m certain that she hoped to write a book that would be entertaining, and sell a lot of copies. I don’t believe she intended to do anything wrong, and frankly, I’m not sure that it could be said that what she did was wrong.

   If I make a delicious cake, and it’s so good that everyone eats enough of it to barf, then it’s not my fault that they’re sick - although I made the cake. Their own lack of balance caused the illness. I think it could be the same with Ms. Rowlings … she succeeded, probably beyond her wildest imaginings, but the furor itself was a fever in the people, not in her. (Unless, of course, you want to think she cast a charm on the books …

   Hmmmm … now that might be something to think about … ;o)

6. All Blogged Up: A Moof’s Tale » Blog Archive » We Have A New Blogger! Says:
   March 17th, 2006 at 10:25 pm

   […]   Meet Eric Hadley! Eric is a friend of mine, and a budding writer. He has a brand new blog on my Blogsplot server called Clubis. He’s already given me a real workout in a discussion we just had on Harry Potter … he made so many good points, that I had to spend hours pondering on exactly how to express what I wanted to reply with! […]

7. Wm H Says:
   March 18th, 2006 at 12:03 am

   I have thought of the Harry Potter series as being in the same catogory as the Dungens and Dragons from a few years past, young people became obsesed and it became such a strong force in their lives that it created serious problems whe some were unable to live outside a world of fantasy they mentally created. If you begin place yourself into the storys, it’s time to walk away from it.

8. wolfbaby Says:
   March 18th, 2006 at 5:15 pm

   Ok I have read the harry potter series and I have enjoyed it very much. Children will be children and any world of fantasy they can escape to they will. Personally I wouldn’t mind it at all if my children read the series because if they tried to think that it was ok to make potions or do magic or go to ther dark side then I have done wrong in raising them. Have faith in people to know what is right and wrong. the harry potter series is not set necessarily in contempary time it is never actually stated which time it is set in. It is essentially a world of its own like a (to much reading from me) similar world on a different plane of existance. At least that was my take when I read it. But what I really liked is though she didn’t state anything about God and the devil she did about good and evil. About the all incompasing magic of love. Harry Potter survived the attack when he was a baby because his mother loved him so much and they say that is the strongest magic of all. This is stated in the book. So if love is stated as the strongest magic of all how please tell me how can this book be bad? They show a young boy alone and fighting for his survival making friends and surmounting unbeliveable odds to do good. This is nothing more then a story with some very poigent thems that our children could stand to learn from. No I don’t mean themagicl aspect. The human aspect. And if our children can learn to be better people through a fun avenaue how is it wrong? I as a child never questioned that when I went into a book and lost myself that it was a story and nothing else. I knew that the emotions were important and the people interactions were important but other then that it was a story. My mom instilled my beliefe in God and it is that firm. My response to people over the Harry Potter stuff is this. Have faith inwhat you have taught your children. Have faith in yourself and your own beliefes and dont stress on it. When you stress on it and make it so important that is when the kids start to wonder could this be real. Think on it.

9. It's me, T.J. Says:
   March 18th, 2006 at 10:58 pm

   Very nice blog with well thought out posts.

   Great job on your explanations Moof.

   I have to say that I have been, and am, much more strict concerning this subject matter. None of the books or games that have been mentioned are allowed in my home.

   I agree with Moof 100% and would like to add an additional point of view. But first a disclaimer:

   I tend to be blunt and have yet to achieve the level of communicative skills that Moof has, aka *tact*. With that said, I am not trying to be rude, or trying to hurt anyone’s feelings.

   I believe in the supernatural. I believe in the supernatural power of God. I also believe that there truly is a demonic presence on this earth that also wields supernatural power.

   My stance: If a supernatural/metaphysical power does not originate from the Lord, then it must come from another source. The only other source would be satanic.

   I will not entertain in my mind, practice in my home, or otherwise engage in any supernatural activity that is not directly related to or provided by God. To do so would be to invite satanic activity into my home and my life.

   And that’s my point of view…

   later…

   Ephesians 6:12

   King James Version:

   12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

   New King James Version:

   12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

   New Life Version:

   12. Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens.

   Ephesian 6:10-18
   King James Version:

   10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

   11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

   12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

   13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

   14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

   15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

   16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

   17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

   18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

   later…

10. Eric Says:
    March 18th, 2006 at 11:41 pm

    I enjoyed reading the (quick edit:) “second” comment above. I’d just like to make one small observation, though. While I don’t remember many of the specific themes from to book, I do remember that Harry’s cousin had a Playstation. I only say this to verify that the story is indeed supposed to take place in this world in modern times.

11. wolfbaby Says:
    March 19th, 2006 at 12:17 pm

    I’d forgotten a bout that your right. she wasn’t specific about it and its not where alot of time was spent there were alot of irrigularites about the “muggle” world so I was always a bit confused about what time it was and if it was supposed to be the here and now or not. I guess Moofs point still stands in that respect:)

12. Rundy Says:
    March 19th, 2006 at 1:12 pm

    Moof -

    I strongly advise you to read the Harry Potter Series and then post your thoughts after reflection. Your opinion may not change . . . but you may be surprised.

    As best I can pick up from your comments, what bothers you on the most fundimental level (it seems) is that the books were written for children. If that forms the locus of your troubles it obviously won’t change on having read the books because that particular fact won’t change.

    However, I think some of your other assertions against the books are very unfair, and seem based on the fact that you have not read the books. In particular you seem to keep returning, in some form or another, to the mantra that the books are “humorous, innocent seeming, engaging, hilarious, and amazingly innocuous. The taboo the other books still leave you with - is now broken”

    It is certainly true that the books are humorous, hilarious, etc. But I think you are setting up a false dichotomy in that it must be humorous or serious, innocent or mature, etc.

    It is certainly true that the things you attribute to the Harry Potter books are present . . . but the very things you seem to assume are not present in the Harry Potter books actually are present. The series deals with searious issues–more so, I think, than a lot (most?) other fantasy that one might read.

    J.K. Rowling is such a capable writer because she can make a book both funny and serious. The novels are both innocent and very mature. To understand how this can be (without having read the novels) is pretty well impossible.

    Even if you read the series and still feel it is not fit for children to read, I think you will find the series enjoyable for yourself–in particular the later books which grow increasingly serious as Harry matures. If the first book or two seems a little “young” persevere to the later books.

    Anyhow, basic summary is I felt your implication that the Harry Potter series treats magic less seriously than other fantasy was unfair to the series as a whole.

    And I would be interested to see what thoughts you might post on your blog after reading the books.

13. Moof Says:
    March 19th, 2006 at 9:04 pm

    Hey Rundy. Thanks for your comment. I like your blog, by the way, and have you blogrolled over on All Blogged Up.

    I’m sorry, but there are several reasons that I’m not going to take you up on the challenge to read Harry Potter - first reason is that I’m so behind on my reading right now, that I’m not adding anything to the list … second reason - I’m a fulltime student and haven’t really had any time for extra reading other than my studies and usual blogruns … and third - I’m honestly not interested in reading Harry Potter.

    Summarized, my basic issue with the books isn’t simply that they were written for children, but that they make the basic theme seem innocuous, safe, warm and fuzzy … they avoid setting off the warnings that those with a Christian bent should be on the look-out for. That they were written in such a way that they also appeal to the very young only amplifies the problem.

    You say: “The novels are both innocent and very mature.” Frankly, that’s even more concerning, not less.

    Rundy - it’s pointless for me to read the books, since I really don’t care about the books themselves, but rather about the basic theme when faced with the pandemic effects the books have had over such a widespread and varied segment of the western world!

    And there, in a nutshell, is my concern.

14. Eric Says:
    March 19th, 2006 at 10:31 pm

    It’s me, T.J., I was just wondering quickly if you allow your kids to watch/read Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.

15. Rundy Says:
    March 20th, 2006 at 11:12 am

    Moof -

    Thanks for your kind comments about my writing. Unfortunately I must devote most of my time to other writing projects, so I don’t put as much on my website as I would wish.

    “Challenge” wasn’t exactly how I meant it to come across in my comment. I meant it as a suggestion since I thought a reading of the books might remove some of your concern. If you don’t have the time or inclination, that is fine by me. Maybe when you have grandkids and they start reading Harry Potter (if so allowed by their parents) you will decide that you want a better understanding of what they find interesting.

    If you were against all fantasy I would never suggest you read Harry Potter because it is fantasy. However, you have confessed yourself to be (at least an occasional) fantasy reader and I think the accusations you level against Harry Potter can apply to fantasy as a whole and really (after a careful reading of the series) apply no more to Harry Potter than other fantasy. Having read the Harry Potter books myself, when you voice your concern over them being, “innocuous, safe, warm and fuzzy” I see a caricature which leaves at least half of series out. This description seems to ignore the very real presence of evil in the book, and how the death and toture inflicted by those who are evil, form an ever present foundation of the books.

    Kind of ironically, other people don’t want their children reading Harry Potter because it isn’t “warm and fussy” enough. Too dark and violent, they say.

    Anyone who has read up to this point (finished the 6th book) in the Harry Potter series knows a number of beloved characters have been killed. These readers have read where Mrs. Weasly is crying because she is afraid of what might happen to her children–they have read about the children who are without parents and the parents who are without children and the people who have lost friends–any such reader is going to look very oddly at the accusation that the series is “too warm and fuzzy.”

    Some people don’t like Harry Potter because, like T.J., they don’t believe anyone should read fantasy. Other people don’t think children in particular should read fantasy. From your comment that, “they were written in such a way that they also appeal to the very young only amplifies the problem” indicates to me that you (at least unconciously) lean toward the position that the subject of fantasy is too “edgy” for us to allow children to read, period. Fine. I wouldn’t argue with T.J. and I don’t mean to argue with you. I just think we should have clarity in our thoughts. Does Harry Potter fail because it is fantasy, because it is popular, or because it is for young readers? Your continual return to the concern that the series is “too warm and fuzzy” I think leaves most who had read Harry Potter scratching our heads. How is it too warm and fuzzy?

    I am not a rabid Harry Potter fan, so it doesn’t bother me if people don’t like Harry Potter. I don’t think everyone ought to like Harry Potter. People can dislike Harry Potter because the author is British, for all I care. But I, like Eric, am both a reader and writer of fantasy and I do not see the distinction people make between Harry Potter and other fantasy as being tenable under the broad brush that they paint with.

    When I said “innocent” in my previous comment I meant the series is not full of drugs and sex. I call them “mature” in that they deal with death and evil more seriously than other children’s fiction.

    I find it a very interesting subject to consider why the Harry Potter series has been so wildly successful. My very short conclusion is that J.K. Rowling does not write down to her readers. A lot of people look down on children and write in the same way. Rowling, by contrast, comes across in her fiction as one who sees children as people who think about the difficult and serious problems of life. The fantasy of her novel forms an unreal alter-world where Rowling and her readers can consider the difficulties and joys of life. There is humor in the Harry Potter novels (some of it pretty funny) but the laughter is there to make the reality of life (both the ficticious one in Harry Potter and the real one in which we live) not seem too grim. Yes, a spell accident makes a student barf up gross slugs but we need a humorous break from those other spells . . . like the one which is used to torture a student’s parents to insanity, or the one which killed Harry’s mother when she defended him with her life.

    What stays with the reader far longer than the occassional moments of humor is the many gripping moments of pain and loss. What grips readers is how J.K. Rowling has managed to bring together the themes which we all recongize as having such power: loss and gain, life and death, love and hatred, justice and injustice, cowardice and bravery, revenge and forgiveness. Those who feel the series is “too dark” are uncomfortable seeing a youth like Harry Potter grapple with the feelings of hatred and vengance or facing such things as death and loss. Harry is not a saint. He struggles and the stories have such power because readers identify with his weakness and his struggles against the temptations of evil.

    Anyhow, some thoughts . . .

16. pegadoc Says:
    March 20th, 2006 at 2:13 pm

    Fascinating discussion.

    Moof - you have a right to your opinion, but it’s hard for me to consider very seriously when you haven’t even read said books.

    Eric - You’re a thoughtful and intelligent lad. And you make your points clearly.

    I have read all the HP books, as have my two kids, and we’ve listened to the tapes of all of them at least once each, while traveling. JK Rowling is a wonderful writer who creates an exciting and engaging world. Other writers have done the same in the past. I just don’t get the Christian fear of this book.

    What about fairy tales? Do those of you that ban HP also ban Cinderella with the evil stepmother? What about Snow White? (same thing) Both of them had evil magical powers. In Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother had good magical powers. Do you ban her for usurping God? There are many other examples in classical children’s stories. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - do you ban that thinly veiled Christian allegory?

    I think you’d do your children a better service to help them develop a discriminating mind and a strong faith, if that’s what you want them to have,, so that they can read controversial books and not get knoocked o

17. pegadoc Says:
    March 20th, 2006 at 2:15 pm

    Oops! I must have hit the “submit” button by accident. What I was trying to say was if your faith is strong, whether Christian or other, and your mind is strong, from practice with critical thinking, then a simple book series is not going to knock you off your seat.

    It’s fantasy. It’s a story, for goodness sakes. And a good one.

18. Eric Says:
    March 20th, 2006 at 9:55 pm

    I’ve always thought of the Harry Potter books a smooth blend of mystery and fantasy, which is why I think the books are so compelling. You try to keep track of every detail when you’re reading, because at the end you know that the story will twist around in a very Sixth Sense kind of way. Then you want to read the books all over again and piece all the details together in your mind.

    …just another short consideration.

19. Moof Says:
    March 21st, 2006 at 9:21 am

    This has been a very lively comment section! Bodes well!

    One last - brief - effort to express myself.

    It’s not the books!

    It’s the response of so many in view of the theme.

    I love fantasy - but if any of the books I’ve read and enjoyed had that theme, and that response, I would feel the same about them as I do the Potter series. Beyond the basic theme, it matters not what the actual story line is.

    Either you will all continue to think that reading the book has anything to do with my opinion, or you will understand where I’m coming from. Two different issues completely.

    And now, Eric … what’s your next post going to be?

20. It's me, T.J. Says:
    March 21st, 2006 at 2:14 pm

    It’s me, T.J., I was just wondering quickly if you allow your kids to watch/read Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.

    Hey Eric…

    I have always been very selective. No to Star Wars, but yes to the Christian allegories. And we have discussions about them.

    I, myself, love science fiction, but do not have the time to endulge myself. Of course, this could be, and probably is, viewed as a form of fantasy.

    As far as allowing children to see/view/read subjects so that they can develop a discriminating mind and a strong faith…

    I believe that children have to have a strong foundation before they are allowed to tackle these things.

    How do you know what is spiritually wrong if you accept that everything is right?

    While this may not be a good example, perhaps it would serve its purpose in some way in explaining my stance:

    Let’s say my family lived in a far away land and ate this particularly exotic food that we absolutely loved.

    We are living our lives as a perfectly normal and happy family. Things are going well. We all look forward when I (Mom) would fix this wonderful food.

    There’s evidence that my children were growing and they appear to be happy and healthy in all other aspects.

    One day, we have a foreign family come to visit us. I decide that I will fix our favorite meal for our special guests.

    At dinner time, my guests are not pleased at all with what is being served. In fact, they start to gag and vomit.

    When I ask them what is wrong with the food, because I thought that I had whipped up an unusually fine batch, they say that it is dog crap and unfit for consumption.

    I would say, “Well of course it is, and we feed our dog special food just so that he will produce the finest dog crap in the world.”

    Who’s right and who’s wrong?

    later…

21. Sarah-Jean Says:
    March 21st, 2006 at 2:38 pm

    It looks like you need an entire blog dedicated to this subject!! People seem very opinionated when it comes to Harry Potter. Not many people feel “indifferent” about it. They either boycott it, or love it to death.

    As far as where I am at about “Harry Potter Books”, well I have to completely agree with Moof. I haven’t read the books either, but then again, I have absolutely no interest in those kinds of books.

    But even if I did, and there was a question about my children reading them, I would not allow them in my house. My primary reason being, if my kids were going to read something, I would rather it be something edifying and good for their spirit, not useless fiction about magic and spells.

    For anyone in question about the Harry Potter books and movies, I recommend watching this DVD entitled “Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged”

    And go and read some of the things that kids say after they’ve read the books! It’s pretty shocking…. Click here

    There are so many books in the world to read. If you want to read something, go look elsewhere. Harry Potter isn’t that important.

    But that is just my two cents…

    P.S. Great blog Eric!! Keep up the good posts! I blogrolled you!

Leave a Reply