Why is Harry Potter literature so controversial - Research Paper Example

?Why is Harry Potter literature so controversial? Introduction The Harry Potter series has faced many literature controversies over the duration of the past fourteen years and though many view the book series to be a magical and wonderful adventure, owing to the cultural and literary impacts the book has made, it faces such controversies. The books have helped in culminating the habit of reading into the minds of young children is a massive manner. In this advanced era of games and internet the series of the harry potter books have made the children realize the joys of reading. The books have kindled the reading interests of children worldwide and introduced children into the joys of reading. But the Harry Potter series faces controversies on religious fronts and a few of the books in the series are not considered appropriate for children from all age groups. Religious aspect The book has been challenged on religious fronts and it has been removed from the shelf of school libraries giving this as a reason. According to the American Library Association, it featured amongst the most challenged books in 1999 owing to the book’s focus on witch craft and wizardry. According to Berit “the Harry Potter book series are confusing for the kids, as Christianity clashes with witch craft and the series teaches an earth centered spirituality which is alike the witch craft religion spreading in San Fransicso” (Berit, 2011). This can be misleading for the children as the fantasy world created by J.K. Rowling and the real world the children exist in are similarize. Berit Kjos has been opposing the Harry Potter series in a staunch manner right from the first book of Philosophers stone. Occult practices like witch craft, sorcery, interpreting omens, manipulation of occult forces according to will are all present in the books making them anti Christian. Performing magic by making use of witch craft, interpretation of omens, fortune telling have all been portrayed in a manner that encourages children to view them to be exciting and alluring and these are against the Christian principles. According to Berit “It is surprising that a book so immersed on occult practices has won the hearts of millions around the world and the light side of evil has been so readily accepted” (Berit, 2011). As the book opposes the religious teachings of Christianity due to the fantasy it promotes making use of witch craft and wizardry it is facing such controversies. The Harry Potter series though is based on a world of fantasy similar to the Narnia books affects the mind of young readers in a manner not considered good by most Christians. Harry Potter seems very much a reality to most children and the occult practices seem enticing to them as well, leading staunch believers of Christianity to oppose the book series. Parents are concerned with the book series owing to the graphic content and a few believe it is anti-Christian in nature. The Harry Potter book series has been translated into 43 languages and seventy five million copies of the book have been sold so far. Most children are attracted to the practices of the occult so widely portrayed in the books and Philip argues that “children who are enticed and fascinated by the fantasy magical world portrayed by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter books could possible venture into the world of occult in real life also” (Philip, 2003). As the minds of young children are easily affected by such attractive concepts many parents consider the books unacceptable. But making use of supernatural concepts is only a writer’s prop and it can in no manner attract children into occult practices. There are many quotes from the book which are considered to be dark like in the fifth book demontors the soul suckers are explained in great detail and such evil characters are not things suitable for the minds of young children. But according to Foster “the evil aspects described in the books are similar to those portrayed in the Bible” (Foster, 2004). The children cannot be kept from the evils of everyday life and there is no harm meted out owing to the fantasy evil characters portrayed in the books. There is not much reason to say the book is completely anti-Christian in nature as Bible also deals with Satan and how good over powers evil. Such a relation can be drawn in from the Harry Potter books also as ultimately the good of Harry Potter and his friends overcome the evil aspects of Voldemort. There has been considerable support from many Christian institutions to the books as the children get a clear differentiation between the good and evil from a very young age. The books cannot be labeled to be completely anti- Christian in nature as aspects like love, friendship, family and helping are all promoted in the series of books. Though, the books are written keeping in mind the young audience it is meant for, even the author J.K. Rowling agrees that the choice of books to be read rests with the parents and a few details in the books might not be appropriate for children of all age groups. Educational aspects The Harry Potter book series teaches children the values of family, friendship, perseverance and it has helped children from across the world develop their reading skills. According to a recent survey the literature has succeeded in luring the children away from the internet, media and it has kindled the interest of the children into reading (Selicia, 2003). The books have been sold in millions and in many libraries these books have been listed amongst the top favorites of young and old alike. If children eight years of age can read a book more than 700 pages long like the Sorcerer’s stone one can imagine how rapidly the reading interests and skills of the children can be developed by making use of the Harry Potter books. The Harry Potter books can be a positive role model too as it helps develop the imagination of the minds of young children and it helps them cope with fears. The books also promote good moral values and when these books are read to young children the book reading experience becomes an enjoyable fictional adventure to them. According to Walker “the Harry Potter books are a good role model for children on an universal level as the children can learn to face up to fears, stand up for what they believe in and the children can also learn management skills” (Wren, 1999). As at most times the hero of the book Harry Potter stands up against the evil Voldemort plans, gets help from his friends and manages every single time to win against evil by his quick thinking skills, the children who read the books learn about people management and are able to tell the good and evil apart. The Harry Potter books encourage the children to read more and this interest will help them enter into the interesting and alluring world of literature which holds many treasures well suited for the minds of children. The story line is interesting and most readers find it hard to put the novel down without reading it from the beginning to end. This shows how the story line is well planned and written in an interesting manner. The challenges Harry Potter and his friends face in all the books are dealt by them making use of logic and thinking skills apart from magic and this promotes lateral thinking amongst the children. The imagination of the children grow in a rapid pace when they read the Harry Potter series books and according to booth fantasy is very much a part of a child’s imaginative world (Margret, 2003). Imagination is a way to develop language, personal skills and children learn a lot from imaginative role plays, stories and such. If evil is not to be dealt with in literature how are the children to cope up with the evil so omnipresent all around them. The Harry Potter books not only deal with evil but they help the children differentiate between good and bad from an early age thus in cultivating morality into their young minds. The final part the deathly hallows does not in any way glorify evil occult practices and concepts like sacrifice for the good of humanity and love are portrayed is the best manner possible. Conclusion The base for all the activities of Harry Potter in the book series is love towards friends, family and the society in general. Though the book faces many controversies from religions owing to the occult practices it deals with across the world, the book cannot be labeled to be anti-Christian as fundamentally the book deals with how good overcomes evil. Every child grows up with fairy tales, imaginative fictional characters and these stories are how their characters are shaped. The Harry Potter book series can serve as a role model provider to the children and the all the books in the series are enjoyable. References Berit Kjos, Harry Potter and the deathly hallows. July 27, 2011. Newswithviews.com http://www.newswithviews.com/BeritKjos/kjos120.htm Julie Foster, Potter Books: Wicked Witchcraft? LexisNexis . Update News Journal. October 2001. Joyner Library, City of Greenville, NC. MargaretZoller Booth. What American Schools Can Learn From Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Phi Delta Kappan 85 2003, pp 301-315. Philip Kennicott. A Scholar Who Gives ‘Harry' the Evil Eye.” November 23, 2003. The Washington Post. Selicia Kennedy Ross. Harry Potter Fantasy Book Series Is Luring Kids Away from Interactive Media. June 20, 2003 Tribune Business News. Wren Walker. Muggles and Other Strangers: The Harry Potter Controversy. Words, Wrants and Wramblings. December 1999. Weekly Editorials and Comments. Read More