Resumo de The Harry Potter Series

The Harry Potter Series
By
David McKenna

Starting from poverty, one of the first warnings J K Rowling received was that there was no money in writing for children. Now, not only is she approaching her first billion, but she has the gratitude of many parents as well. Where before many children, especially boys, had largely given up on the written word in favour of screens, flashing lights and whistles, they now settle comfortably into reading 500-plus page novels, complete with difficult concepts, extensive vocabulary and a ready-made subculture.

The stories themselves are straight foreword. They involve normal tween and teenage relationships and dilemmas, acted out in a fantasy landscape which any child would love to visit. Here be wizards, dragons, spells, but all placed in an intensely human landscape which invites belief and empathy. While Rowling does not aspire to the portentous landscapes of Tolkien, she readily spins together fantasy, juvenile camaraderie, exciting and rewarding plot lines and the invariable vindication of the hero, with whom all can easily identify. Indeed, even more so than Tolkien, she offers useful reflections on the nature of the human condition, such as the meaning of character, the importance of ones? choices in life and the inherence of human fallibility ? from the lowest of men to the most high. Most importantly, she has brought great joy to many millions of children through the written word.

So how could anybody have a problem? Well, a quick search through the internet will reveal raw passions, both for and against. As I have indicated the positive above, I will now turn to the negative perspective, that which has seen Harry Potter barred from public libraries, American schools and the residences of the righteous. But what could possibly be wrong with it? Well, in the view of a certain segment of Christendom, any mention of magic calls up ancient negative associations, going right back to Simon Magus of the New Testament, who purportedly attempted to trespass on Jesus? own territory. So, magic is bad in itself unless performed by the Lord himself, or by his appointed (or self-appointed) on Earth. Strike One. Also, the Potter books contain no mention of God. What good is performed in them is done for human motives, not to atone for human sin not to attain salvation. Strike Two. And, while there is no God ? there is an Evil One, the Lord Voldemort, the ?One Who Must Not Be Named?, in the terminology of the series. Clearly, for those who spy Satan?s work at every corner, Voldermort?s character ensures that he infests virtually page of the Potter series. Strike Three - and what I tell you three times is true!

There is no real argument in most of the critiques which I have read ? it?s just a question of perception. Or preconception. So how can we resolve this one? Clearly we cannot. But, though I do not usually take my line from the Vatican, I thought their take on the matter was the most sensible which I had read from the Christian perspective. Their spokesman sees it as follows. Yes, the wizards of Potter-land perform magic. But they do this through their own ability. And human beings do not have this ability. So the stories are pure fantasy. If it were the case that the magic were performed by calling upon the power of demons, the stories would be suspect, as only Satan?s minions offer such a consultancy service to humans. But this is not the case, and so the stories are kosher. Or OK. Or maybe even halal. And an enjoyable read for children and adults alike.

Glad we got that sorted, as Harry said to the newly-appointed Minister for Magic (yes, there is such a person). Who happens to be a werewolf. (As many politicians are ? didn?t I tell you there was much of value about the human condition in this series?.?)

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