The Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling has been around for nineteen years, and is now one of the most popular book series. Despite this, it’s still debatable whether or not reading Harry Potter is good for children. The series has inspired young readers to read, encouraging them to learn more about the world, and thus there is no harm done in reading this genre. Harry Potter educates readers and influences them to read more by improving their imagination and learning skills, turning the series into a phenomenon.
Harry Potter is a piece of work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. The premise of an orphan boy who discovers he’s a wizard may sound mundane at first, but the series is much more than that. Harry Potter balances between confronting the unknown and staying close to friends. The series has its light moments, especially at the start. However, as the story progresses, the danger becomes more intense, but that’s what brings more excitement to the series.
Journalist Julie Salamon remarks, “Harry Potter represents the thrill of adventure and magic and strange creatures that don't exist in real life” (Salamon). In Salamon’s article, she states that when the characters matured, readers matured along with them. Readers know that Harry Potter is fictional, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy and learn from it. However, “Various concerns litter the landscape of Christian conversation on these books, charges which seem to have virtually no substance at all. For example: charges of occultism charge of Gnosticism, charge of irreligion and the death of God” (Shea).
These examples just show how seriously some Christian groups take the series just because of its magical elements. They don’t understand that it is just fantasy and that it’s not promoting children to practice magic. If that is the case, then society might as well ban The Lord of the Rings, or any other fantasy novels that are well known all over the world. In an article by Dejui Olukotun, a fifth grader proclaimed about the issue. “’I think the Harry Potter case is just crazy. If parents of kids eight and older complain, the principal should just talk to them and tell them that it's just fantasy’” (Olukotun). Even a fifth grader knows that there’s no harm to this series. The most harm it could do was if young readers really took the books too far and believed it was all real. But what is real are the characters, and the morals that are given throughout the series.
Many readers have grown up with Harry Potter throughout the years. It’s both a fun and educational experience to grow with the characters and learn from them as they discover themselves. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone “Harry did something that was both very brave and very stupid: He took a great running leap and managed to fasten his arms around the troll's neck from behind” (Sorcerer’s Stone 123). This is one of the first dangers that happen in the series:
Harry and Ron confront a troll in the girl’s bathroom and try to defeat it to save Hermione. They were never that close to Hermione beforehand, but they decide to help her nonetheless. It is indeed both a stupid and brave action, but it’s something that we could appreciate from Harry’s character. Harry’s an innocent kid who was recently introduced to this new world, and readers have been as well. Readers tag along with Harry and relate to him for his curiosity and eagerness to discover the world. Journalist Norman Lebrecht stated that, “Alongside Oliver Twist he [Harry] is the most celebrated orphan in world literature. Oliver is altogether too perfect, untouched by the evil around him. Harry, more credibly, wrestles with forces of darkness and commands our sympathies” (Lebrecht). Readers root for and follow Harry, as well as other characters throughout the series, because they care for them.
The characters are dynamic and have their own stories, and when some of them die, there is profound emotional appeal. Another good example of a character is Neville Longbottom, who turns out to be braver than anyone could imagine. "’There are all kinds of courage,’" said Dumbledore smiling. "’It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom.’" (Sorcerer’s Stone 306). At first, no one understands why Neville was sorted into Gryffindor, even Neville himself doesn’t know. But this part shows that even the quietist and most sensitive people shouldn’t be judged so easily.
The characters are realistic, they have flaws but they all have a purpose to be part of the story. There’s a connection between the readers and characters. Readers relate to them and were with them throughout the series on a long adventure. If there was anything wrong with the series, it could be the fact that some characters left too soon, and readers couldn’t learn anymore of their story.
Harry Potter, and any other book, can be educational, improve reading skills and teach lessons. Journalist Vicky Hallet stated that, “Video games improve problem-solving skills; TV shows promote mental gymnastics by forcing viewers to follow intertwining story lines. But books offer experience that can't be gained from these other sources, from building vocabulary to stretching the imagination” (Hallet).Reading a book is practically entering a new world that’s unlike our own. In Harry Potter’s case, the setting is similar to our world, but of course has the magical aspect that makes the world unique and exciting to explore. Reading takes us out of reality for a change, and step into a place that overwhelms the imagination. Harry Potter introduces a new environment while still keeping realism and logic with the character’s actions and words. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows,
Lupin and Harry have a brief argument about Harry’s tactics. “Expelliarmus is a useful spell, Harry, but the Death Eaters seem to think it is your signature move, and I urge you not to let it become so!” Lupin was making Harry feel idiotic, and yet there was still a grain of defiance inside him. ”I won't blast people out of my way just because they're there," said Harry. ‘That's Voldemort's job.”(Deathly Hollows 55)
The spell Expelliarmus is indeed Harry’s signature move because it’s the spell that disarms an enemy. Harry is not one to use unnecessary violence to defeat his enemies. Instead, he uses defense and reasoning to do so, since violence isn’t always the answer. It’s a significant character trait from Harry that has developed throughout the series. Readers want to read about a character who teaches a lesson without violence being the solution. Readers have journeyed with Harry for years and as he learns how to deal with difficult situations, the readers do as well.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling is no doubt a phenomenon. It has been around for quite some time, and has made a huge impact on the world. There’s still controversies about it, but it’s more important to know that more people love it than hate it. Not everyone can like the same thing; people have different views on whether or not Harry Potter is good enough for children. But nevertheless, Harry Potter has proved itself to be a successful book series because of its influence on readers.
