Harry Potter Publishing Phenomenon is Truly Magical
Magic is a label that has been slapped throughout the ages onto events that people couldn’t explain or didn’t try to explain. Such is the case for the magic that Harry Potter practices in the fantasy fiction book series that bears his name. While Harry, a young wizard, was waving his wand, the books about him were turning children into readers. Magic! J.K. Rowling, the author of these books, wrote them at a time when she was an impoverished single mother. I suspect that she goes by her first two initials because two other great fantasy writers, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, did. Since the release of the first book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 600 million copies of books in the series have sold and Rowling has become the world’s first billionaire author. Preteens connected instantly with a character who had to navigate the daily school routine, went through the anxiety of getting into trouble, was socially awkward, and knew there was something different about him but couldn’t quite figure out what it was. The books are classified as young adult fiction but are actually popular among adults of all ages.
It is inevitable that not everyone is a Harry Potter fan. Some of these non-fans simply were not interested while others were interested but that interest was rooted in disdain for the book series. A number of religious leaders claimed that Harry Potter was luring children into witchcraft, some even calling the books satanic. Huge bonfires in which Harry Potter books were tossed. When they couldn’t get burn permits, they had book cutting events. They would cut up the pages with scissors.
Parents, if your children do take up witchcraft, do not panic. They will not be able to turn you into a toad. Witchcraft is not real. There are people who call themselves witches, but they do not have magical powers. Because witches are so secretive, it is hard for even for encyclopedias to come up with reliable information on witchcraft, but here is what I know (or think I know).
Witches are by definition adherents to a nature centered belief system called Wicca. It has rituals based on a perceived harmony of all things in this world. I think it differs from environmentalism which seeks to protect the natural world through public policy and everyday habits. I personally prefer to worship the creator while still respecting the creation through good stewardship. But if Wicca people see beauty and balance in nature, they may not be far off.
Harry Potter is not for everyone of every age. I do note that most of the movies based on the books are rated PG-13, the most likely reasons being images that might frighten very young children who do not yet know what is real and what is not real. Even some adults may find the books a bit dark for their taste.
My point is that it is a mistake to react to these books and movies as though the magic spells in them are actually possible and that witches sell their souls to the devil in exchange for magical powers and look like the green skinned old woman in The Wizard of Oz.
Apparently there are some people who disagree with me on this point, but fantasy has a legitimate role in entertainment. Although fantasy is not to be confused with reality, it has a great deal to tell us about the real world.