Blogpost 1: More Than Just A Children's Book

When asked what they wanted to be when they grow up, kids would mostly answer "I want to become a superhero" or "I want to become a fairy." The similarity between these is that they both have powers — or magic, if you would — which they use to help those who are in need. Growing up, I've always fantasized about becoming a wizard, just like Harry Potter. I remember being so obsessed with the magical literary hero that I started saving money in order to buy books and its official merchandise. I didn't really care that they were expensive as long as I could have tangible proof that will show I am a Harry Potter fan, hence, my blog title. Potterphile is a term my high school friend used to describe people like us.

As we all know, Harry Potter is a literary hero of the fantasy serial books written by British author, J.K. Rowling. It's also a common knowledge about Ms. Rowling's humble start before Harry Potter became a big hit in both the literary world and the big screen. She started writing Harry Potter at the back of receipts in a coffee shop, and it's really inspiring. Before the book gained immense popularity, it took years before the book was published. Despite being successful worldwide, the book also gained its fair share of criticism that includes promoting the use of witchcraft among kids and being an anti-religion.

Ken James of Films for Christ discussed in his article entitled Is the “Harry Potter…” series truly harmless? how Harry Potter series clash with religious beliefs and the word of God itself. It further states how occult practices or use of witchcraft and sorcery are cloaked with seemingly innocent words and beautiful writing style, all embedded in a children's book. Despite these claims, James agreed that Harry Potter is still a phenomenal book that encourages children to read. Although reading is good, the author strongly advices parents to be cautious of what their children is reading, particularly the Harry Potter series, because the use of magic contradicts God's words.

"While some practicing Wiccans flatly deny any link between Potter’s world and theirs, the evidence is undeniably clear that Potter promotes an interest in magic and the occult. Parents, whether Christian or not, must take an active role in what their children are being exposed to and determine what is appropriate. Christians especially should be guided by God’s Word, the Bible."

Although the article gives really good argument, I still find it far-fetched. I've not heard of a person being punished by God just because he read a book. Although Harry Potter shows accurate representation in terms of witchcraft, black arts and black magic, that does not necessarily mean that Rowling's books are evil. It's her job to make the story look real despite it being a fantasy literature. If after reading Harry Potter and parents still deemed it an evil book, I guess it's their prerogative whether to forbid their kids from reading it. As a parent myself, I think it's best to take into consideration first the children's opinion before doing anything drastic.

On the flip side, Perry Glanzer wrote the article The Surprising Trouble with Harry in Touchstone Magazine, which basically speaks of how the Potter books are misunderstood. Glanzer enumerated notions by the critics of the book, then presented an alternative explanation on how they should be viewed. He delved further that Harry Potter shows morality, and not the opposite. In the book, Harry Potter mostly breaks the rules but Glanzer further suggested that Potter doesn't do them for fun but for promoting the good and fighting evil. He argued how the critics failed to see the real, bigger message behind Rowling's words —that the book itself is about friendship, love and bravery —but only seeing the shallow explanation that critics see: Harry Potter is about practice of black magic because it's about witchcraft.

"Christians who take the idea of a cosmic struggle between good and evil seriously should see the Potter series as an ally because it reinforces a core Christian belief currently under attack. In Harry’s world, good and evil are not just “socially constructed” rules made up by those in power to keep themselves in power. An actual cosmic struggle between good and evil exists." 

I agree that Harry Potter should not be taken more than what it truly is: a fantasy book that tells about a struggle of an orphan as he grows up. I've learned a lot from reading Harry Potter. As I grow up, the story matures as well. I admire the great friendship among Harry, Ron and Hermione despite their differences. I love that Harry Potter is not perfect. It aptly portrays a normal teenage life — grades, relationships and family problems — with an exciting add-on of defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I mean, who doesn't like the idea of becoming a hero? The book further supports my belief that grades and intellect are not what school's about. It's about experiences that teaches you far more than your subjects will ever do.

Harry Potter is more than just a children's book. It is a book that talks about witches and dark arts but beneath them are important life lessons. It's always been the primary goal of a writer to captivate their readers with the story. Writers wanted to create an alternate universe where readers could immerse themselves and imagine living a different life in a different world, providing a fantasy to temporarily break away from real life. Stories should be riveting, and Rowling took the gold star in that regard.