The Harry Potter Series by J K Rowling - Research Paper Example

27 July Defending a Banned Book: The Harry Potter Series by J K Rowling Children’s literature, apart from being a source of valuable information, also is a tool for nourishing their imaginative skills. This is especially so in the case of works of fantasy that exposes children to the wonders of the magical world. Thus, it comes as an unpleasant surprise that St. Mary’s Island Church of England Aided School in Chatham, Kent, Canada has banned the highly creative and enthralling Harry Potter series, written by British author J K Rowling, in their school. This has been done on the insistence of the primary school head teacher, Carol Rookwood. I personally feel that there is no logic or plausible justification for such a highhanded action in this case. The series, unfortunately, have drawn flakes and at times banned due to the intervention by a segment of people with vested interests. Some sections of the society feel that the portrayal of witchcraft will instil fear in children as they do not have the intellectual faculty to make clear distinctions between the real and the surreal. The book, to some, raises concerns over the violence it depicts, but Carol’s take is that the book is a blasphemy against the Bible and Church. As the debates on the book snowballed into a controversy, several parents in the United States also have urged for a ban on the series, arguing that they portrayed death, devil and despise. The American Library Association finds that the Harry Potter series is the most frequently challenged books. In some parts of the United States and also United Kingdom, the books are banned from schools, at libraries and there have been instances of the books being burned in public. The Holy Family Catholic School in Rockford Illinois has also done away with the Harry Potter series form their school library because the Principal, Tony Smerko, thinks that the books describe witchcraft in an encouraging manner and therefore, can have a bad influence on the children. He also opines that the books contain sacrilegious elements, which are against the values of church. He has not read the books himself but is acting upon the promptings of the local pastor. He thinks that astrology and wizardry are against the “teachings of the Catholic Church. Because we are a Catholic school” and hence they have decided that their student should not read it (Harry potter Banned in Rockford catholic School, para.2). Due to the reason that some people believe the books contain occult and satanic undertones, it has antagonised not only Catholics but also of Protestants, Orthodox Christians and even Muslims. Here, I have to admit that the last of the series has been overtly dark and gory for children, with intense battles, deaths etc. However, in the modern world, children have ample exposure to elements of horror, fantasy and wizardry and they can handle more than we believe them capable of. Heroes and heroines are not always perfect, Harry Potter and his friends may not be doing everything right, including telling lies and disobeying their teachers but at least they are positive and selfless role models. Many books, banned a century ago, have later been acclaimed as classic works of literature. Besides the nations about good and bad are rather relative than definitive. Ms. Rookwood may be right when she says that, “wizards, devils and demons are dangerous” but children also need to know dangers so as to enable them to develop skills to confront and overcome risks (School Bans Harry Potter, para. 10). There is an element of morality in books that fall under similar category. Children grow up on tales of fairies, witches and wizards. This fictional world nourishes their imagination and fosters in them the qualities of innovativeness and creativity. It is the responsibility of the parents to explain the pros and cons of various elements in a work of art to their children and to monitor their reads. Similarly, it is incumbent on the publishers and distributors to segregate books based on age and genre. For example, if a publisher finds a book, unsuitable for children based on content, must explicitly advice not to place it under children’s section. In the present day when the world has undergone drastic changes in all aspects of life, it does not seem appropriate to constrain the imagination and perspectives of children to satisfy the pseudo moral anguish of religious segments. On the other hand, we should give free reins to their imagination and let it blossom to its full potential, through interacting with such fantastical works as Harry Potter. The reaction thus provoked, after reading the book, is that of a child to savor. Besides, I feel I if older students are encouraged to read controversial books, it will rather help in expanding their literary understanding. Perception of a work of fiction depends just on a person’s literary understanding. While some people feel that in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ when Hermione Granger, one of Harry Potter’s friends, tries to help the house elves (slaves) in improving their lives, in fact she is doing a great service. On the other hand, there are others who think that this act parallels the doings of American Communist Party. However, one cannot ignore the values that the children can learn from these books, such as being a loyal friend, tackling losses and loneliness, being brave in adverse situations, handling challenges etc. If books that portray magic, witchcraft and witches are banned, then works like Macbeth, Cinderella, Snow White, Barbie and the present day cartoons will have to be pushed in to the closet. Joanne. K. Rowling reacts to the controversy in Washington Post, “If you ban all the books with witchcraft and supernatural, you’ll ban three-quarters of children’s literature. I positively think they are moral books. I’ve met thousands of children, but I have never met a single child who has asked me about the occult” (Rowling, para 1). Similarly, Shmuel Ross who stands against the ban on Harry Potter says, “While the series has been welcomed by many parents and teachers for getting children interested in reading, not to mention being a good story, others feel that the series presents dangerous ideas and attitudes that are bad for young readers” (Ross, para 1). Writers who produce good works of art often find themselves sub merged in controversies. Even Shakespeare was not spared in the matter. However, families must be allowed to decide what is good for their children rather than taking the decision completely out of their hands. The agents of religion and pseudo moralists cannot enforce their nations on others just for upholding their misconceived nations. Thrusting a ban upon a book is a mere, unhealthy interference with literature. We have all grown up listening to the story of Alice in wonderland written under the pseudonym Lewis Caroll. However, have been were attempts to run a ban on it as well, because some people felt it profane that the animals were allowed to speak and behave like humans. Truly, I find their logic quite funny. We need to con to the fact that the creation of such characters and opportunity to interact with them only will induce the children to be imaginative and creative Harry Potter series are a set of fantasy books, and as they such should remain under Children’s literature section. People need not over react it to express their religious fervour. In instance of a 10 year old student, Jessica Grimes, faxed a letter to her school district to support the Potter Mania, as some put it. She contends that “The books never at any time turned me into a wizard or a witch. I go to Church every Sunday, go to school and never at any time did I think the books are true” (Editorial: Harry Potter Books Shouldn’t Be Banned. Para. 3). Thus, it transpires that children’s who enjoy reacting Harry Potter are not antichurch or anti god. On the other hand, they respect their culture and the values it has imbibed in them. Thus, on the flipside, this proves that the book enhances the knowledge of values in children rather than diminish it.   Works Cited Editorial: Harry Potter Books Shouldn’t Be Banned. Reading Eagle Company. 2006. Web.27 July 2012. < http://readingeagle.com/blog.aspx?bid=4&id=8690&t=Harry-Potter-books-shouldnt-be-banned> Harry potter Banned in Rockford catholic School. American Libraries Association. 2000. Web.27 July 2012. Rowling, Joanne. K. Efforts to Ban the Books. Religious. Tolerance. org. 2000. Web.27 July 2012. < http://www.religioustolerance.org/potter3.htm> Ross, Samuel. Harry potter Banned? Why Do Some parents want to Ban the World’s Favorite Wizard? Info please. 2007. Web.27 July 2012. School Bans Harry Potter. BBC News. 2000. Web.27 July 2012. Read More