Posted on 07/18/2005 6:36:15 AM PDT by Kitten Festival
J.K. Rowling is history’s richest-ever author, enjoying an incomparable global readership. With eager consumers lined up at midnight to buy her book on the date of release, she stands as the literary phenomenon of our times.
Rowling resembles no one in popularity so much as Charles Dickens, who inspired excited crowds in America to meet the packet ships from England, calling out for the next installment of the story of Little Nell.
She also rivals Dickens in her ability to create some of the most delightful names in literature. Uriah Heep, meet Severus Snape.
Few authors today write books for adolescent boys, who readily fall away from reading and are lured to the video tube. Daring to write long and complicated plots, Rowling doesn’t underestimate her readers. Her books contain delightful inventions on almost every page: from mail delivery owls to the winged boars (flying pigs) that grace the Hogwarts school gates.
But huge success makes for a big target. Rowling does not lack for critics.
Some are bothered by her abundant use of adverbs, or worry about exposing very young children to the violence in the books’ good vs. evil plot lines. Occasional gross-out humor and love of annoying practical jokes dismay some adults, but meet the literary tastes of the adolescent boy.
By far the most serious criticism of the Harry Potter series comes from those Christians and Jews who believe any mention of magic in literature is completely and automatically off-limits based simply on the Biblical prohibitions against witchcraft.
I respect such critics, but I disagree with them. A few of them go overboard, muttering darkly about bargains with supernatural forces. But many are sincere and intelligent.
There is a basic difference between reading a Harry Potter book and invoking the dark forces. Casting actual spells is one thing. Reading about them while engrossed in a struggle between good and evil on the magical plane of childrens’ literature is quite another.
Magic has become a literary convention of imaginative literature, positing forces fo
Klaatu barada nikto.
I suppose in these days, some of the books I used to read as a teen would be on the 'Do NOT View' list also.
Where is the Oh Geez! Not this s**t again picture?
Thinks I'm too stupid to know what a winged boar is. PHHHHHHPTT!
"By far the most serious criticism of the Harry Potter series comes from those Christians and Jews who believe any mention of magic in literature is completely and automatically off-limits based simply on the Biblical prohibitions against witchcraft.
"I respect such critics, but I disagree with them. A few of them go overboard, muttering darkly about bargains with supernatural forces. But many are sincere and intelligent."
If kids read the Bible (or any other worthwhile religious literature), prayed, and attended church with the same enthusiasm and dedication they read these Harry Potter books, this would be a better world.
It's not really the magic I take issue with. I have seen some Harry Potter films in parts, and what I certainly don't appreciate is the dark, disturbing violence in them, particularly when these films are targeted at children. But, hey, Hollywood producers and J. K. Rowling are laughing their way to the bank.
I agree the movies are a little dark. But you should see what other movies are marketed to kids. It's awful. Look at Fantastic Four. It's PG-13 (my 14 year olds have only seen one PG-13 they are so bad) and is marketed in Toys R Us! There really are so few movies that are good for the whole family.
I for one was happy these are there for all of us to enjoy. No sex, no graphic violence, hey, a little troll snot, but you can't have everything!
Before I read this -- does it have spoilers? I'm just starting book three, and am trying to avoid.
Dan
"Yea, I said the words. OK. Well Most of them anyway. You've got the damn book, now send me home!"
"Shop smart - Shop S-Mart"
"You're in charge of two things right now. JAck and S&*T. And Jack just left town"
"Yo - she-bitch"
"Ok, you primitive screw-heads listen up. This is my BOOM STICK. It's got a blued barrell, checkerd stock, and a hair trigger. Can be found in the sporting goods section of your local S-Mart. $99.99.
"I feel bad, but it feels good."
Sorry, but you started it TheBigB.
Ping.
"It's a trick. Get an Axe..."
Good. . .Bad. . .I'm the one with the Gun. . .
. . .notice The Bruce's LATEST role ? He's the Coach in the new kids movie, "Sky High", about a high school for Superheroes. . .
I have never understood some Christians' perspective of the Harry Potter series. They embrace the C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia series, which includes the character of the White Witch. There is a horrible scene in which the White Witch kills the Jesus character of Aslan by first having him tied to a stone table, shaved of his lion's hair and then brutally stabbed to death. Very dark stuff. You can buy the books in every Christian bookstore. The difference? C.S. Lewis was a devote Christian and the books reflect his Christian beliefs. Many Christians do NOT share the perspective that the Harry Potter books promote witchcraft; we recognize the deep moral truths in the books and can appreciate the good vs. evil theme throughout every one of the 6 books to date. Fairy tales are full of witches, and they always lose their battles. The Harry Potter books are just that: fairy tales. Most of the kids who read them do not embrace witchcraft as a result of having read the books.
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagh'nagl fhtagn."
Oh sweet lord....
Look it is pure fiction.
It got my boy away from the computer and the TV and back into books! For that alone I am thankful. For those of you who think that this is "EVIL". Whats that saying about glass houses?
Sure its dark but there are other and darker young adult books out there and no one so much as says boo about it.
So long as the children enjoy the read and understand that it is fiction and make believe then there is nothing wrong with it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
