The Harry Potter Controversy
analytical Essay
2657 words
The Harry Potter Controversy
The wildly popular Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling has caused controversy for many families over the past five years. These novels according to some critics are harmless, adventurous, children's tales. Others choose to portray them as stories that inspire children to become involved in the occult and serious witchcraft. The Harry Potter novels chronicle the life of a young wizard whose wizard parents were killed by the evil Lord Voldermort. On his eleventh birthday he receives invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Each of the five books represents a year of his life there (Walker). This essay will discuss whether the Harry Potter novels are a suitable read for children and why despite what some critics portray, Harry Potter can be a positive role model for youth.
In recent history a cultural phenomenon has occurred. With the rise of Harry Potter, this nation's youth have displayed a “mania” that has not been seen in reference to books for a long time. For example, Barns & Noble America's largest bookseller has recently declared that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be their “largest seller in the history of the entire company” (Mangan). In light of this rise to fame one should note that Harry Potter can and will impact modern culture.
In the “age of electronic entertainment”, Harry Potter novels sharply contrast by luring children away from the internet, and away from video games and the television. Children across the globe are rapidly becoming interested in reading the novels. Katherine Thompson, owner of Frugal Frigate Bookstore, declared the series a “literary phenomena.” She noted that children as young as eight-years-old will devour...
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...nuum, 2001.
Person, Judith. “Books debunk evils of Potter; Christian authors see enchanting talks as Gospel springboard.” LexisNexis . The Washington Times. (October 31, 2002): Joyner Library, City of Greenville, NC. March 2004.
Rowling, J. K. “A Good Scare.” Time 30 October 2000 : 77-78.
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic, 1999.
Seden , Janet. 295 “Parenting and the Harry Potter stories: a social care perspective.” Children and Society 16 (2002): 295-305. .
Walker, Wren. “ Muggles and Other Strangers: The Harry Potter Controversy.” Words, Wrants and Wramblings. December 1999. Weekly Editorials and Comments. < http://www.witchvox.com/harrypotter.html >.
Colson, Charles. “Harry Potter and the Existence of God.” Christian Broadcasting Network. 14 July 2000 . Breakpoint. <http://www.CBN.com >.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that harry potter is a good role model for children. the stories are full of universal themes, such as learning to face up to fears, standing up for what one believes in, and realizing that people with different backgrounds can work together.
- Analyzes how j. k. rowling's depictions of evil are comparable to those in the bible.
- Explains that books debunk evils of potter; christian authors see enchanting talks as gospel springboard.
- Analyzes how the popular harry potter series has caused controversy for many families over the past five years. some critics portray them as stories that inspire children to become involved in the occult.
- Illustrates how some parents choose to use harry potter stories as a springboard for other discussions about their faith.
- Analyzes booth, margaretzoller's "what american schools can learn from hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry." foster, julie.
- Analyzes how the harry potter fantasy book series is luring kids away from interactive media.
- Cites seden, janet, walker, wren, and colson, charles. "harry potter and the existence of god."
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- Harry Potter Controversyanalytical essayReligious Controversies in Rowling’s Harry Potter Ever since J.K. Rowling first introduced Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 1997, children and adults have read and loved the series. It has gained such popularity that all of the books have been made into major motion pictures, and a Harry Potter attraction has been opened in Universal Studios, Florida. Though the readers love Rowling’s intricate and exciting story lines, many controversies have arisen from these stories, not only in the United States, but also in various countries around the world.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the religious implications of j.k. rowling's harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone.
- Analyzes how the bible supports the resentment towards paganism in deuteronomy 18:10-12, stating that those practicing witchcraft are a disgrace to the lord and will be driven out.
- Explains that while many religious people denounce harry potter as pagan, there are many who disagree with claims that the series promotes paganism.
- Analyzes how the argument that rowling's harry potter series promotes evil is the second main controversy. lord voldemort possesses the same characteristics as satan.
- Analyzes how the opposition argues that good triumphs over evil throughout the series, which is why most readers choose to side with harry and dumbledore.
- Explains that mahoney believes that it is the parents’ responsibility to talk about religion with their children. the magic in harry potter is extremely different from the magic of wicca, the practice of witchcraft.
- Opines that harry potter is just another magical story and should be enjoyed, rather than judged because of its controversial references.
988 wordsRead More - Harry Potter's Evolutionanalytical essayIn the summer of 1997, the world became captivated by a young wizard named Harry Potter (About JK, 2007). The series of Harry Potter books that follows Harry Potter’s evolution from an awkward and shy child to a confident and talented wizard. This series has been printed in over 65 languages and sold around 375 million copies. In total seven Harry Potter books were printed and each one takes its readers deeper into the magical world that Harry Potter has created. One of the reasons that the Potter books have been so successful is because they are able to captivate both child and adult readers alike (Garner, 2008). Both audiences are able to relate to the books because Harry Potter has deals with real world issues such as those concerning family problems, friendship, romance, and more. These problems are present for Potter when he living in the abusive home of his relatives, The Dursleys and even into his time at Hogwarts, a boarding school for witches and wizards
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the series of harry potter books has been printed in over 65 languages and sold around 375 million copies.
- Analyzes how potter's foster family, petunia dursley, and the rest of her family treat him poorly, leaving him in a state where he is neglected and doesn't receive attention.
- Explains that in order for a child to develop strong attachment with his caregiver, the child must know that he can depend on the caregiver for anything. an example of an attachment style is secure attachment.
- Opines that harry potter is extremely successful, even though he is only eleven years old, because no one has been able to challenge voldemort before. the dursleys' lack of love towards potter severely damaged his ability to perform on a functional level in the real world.
- Explains that potter's success stemmed in part from the fact that he was able to attract mentors who would help him along the way.
- Analyzes how hagrid instills confidence in potter by believing in his potential and teaches him about his unique talents and gifts. their relationships span beyond their initial contact.
- Explains that dumbledore and professor mcgonagall are positive mentors in potter's life and encourage him to invest in them.
- Explains that having caring mentors plays a huge role in potter's successful development. their mentorship builds off of the love that potter received from his parents during the short time that they were alive.
- Analyzes how the realization of love and mentorship is important for potter to understand because as an orphan, he didn't always get to experience love. potter's interactions with positive figures like his mentors allow him to feel valued, which is an important component of the internal working model.
- Explains that harry potter is successful in his ability to attract mentors because of his temperament and personality.
- Analyzes how rowling's successful incorporation of psychological elements in the creation of potter, has made a more relatable and likeable character.
- Cites j.k. rowling's blog, "ten years later, harry potter vanishes from the best seller list." the new york times.
- Cites oliver, k., and heyman, r. e. on harry potter and the resilience to adversity.
1013 wordsRead More - A Critical Assessment of the Harry Potter Phenomenon in Contemporary British Cultureanalytical essayIntroduction The first Harry Potter book came out in 1997, and no one at the time could imagine that in the 10 years that followed, it would become the most read children’s book and a $6.4 billion worth film franchise. The aim of this essay is to try to explain the reason for the popularity of the Harry Potter books. The aim is also to show the changes that the series caused, how they influenced the people who read them, how they had an impact on literacy and overall, on British popular culture. In the first part of the essay I will briefly explain the beginning of the Harry Potter phenomenon and its growing popularity in the countries all over the world. In the second part I will deal with the character of Harry, explaining why he has such an appeal to the readers and how come people identify with him.
In this essay, the author
- Explains how the first harry potter book came out in 1997, and how it became the most read children's book and a $6.4 billion film franchise.
- Explains that the harry potter phenomenon began in the 1990s when the first book, written by j. k. rowling, came out in shops. the popularity of the book resulted in it being translated into various languages, establishing its status as a phenomenon known worldwide.
- Analyzes how the universal appeal of harry potter is related to the attempt of reintroducing the romantic hero in children's fiction.
- Analyzes how j. k. rowling's success in creating a didactic and entertaining book provoked interest from audiences of all ages. the series teach the values of courage, tolerance, friendship, and perseverance while amusing the readers with refined humor.
- Explains that the popular harry potter books have caused much controversy over the last years. some people portray them as stories which inspire children to become involved with the occult and witchcraft.
- Explains the impact of the harry potter movie on the british film industry.
- Opines that the harry potter series left an impact both on the british culture and on people across the world.
- Explains the hp phenomenon: what a post-potter world may mean for religion and society.
1784 wordsRead More - Harry Potter and the Religious Rightanalytical essayThe seven books in the Harry Potter series are some of the most popular books of all time. Millions of children and adults around the world crave everything to do with Harry. From the midnight book release parties to new movie releases to the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, fans, the world over, love Harry and can't seem to get enough of him. While scores of fans immerse themselves in the fantasy world of Harry Potter, there are some people that believe that Harry Potter is the work of the devil, and the world J.K. Rowling created entices readers to abandon God and pursue the occult. However, Harry Potter does not promote evil. Harry's entire seven novel journey exists to teach people, young and old, about love, loss, relationships, good versus evil, and doing what is right versus doing what is easy. In addition to these very important lessons, Rowling has cast a spell beyond what anyone else has ever seemed to be able to accomplish: She has made millions of children excited about reading. The author is also a prime example that you can be anything and do anything, no matter your circumstances. She is proof that perseverance can yield amazing awards.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the seven books in the harry potter series are some of the most popular books of all time.
- Narrates how j.k. rowling, a single mother on welfare, expanded on her orphaned wizard boy and began writing sorcerer's stone. in 1997, the story was published by bloomsbury publishers for the children of britain.
- Explains that some people have contested the books, ostracizing them because they believe they promote the occult and witchcraft. lord voldemort, the most powerful and evil dark wizard for one hundred years, is used as an example.
- Analyzes how professor dumbledore explains nicolas flamel's impending death in harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone to a dumbfounded harry.
- Analyzes how naysayers use quotes from the novels to convince others of the books' occultist teachings.
- Cites aloi, peg. "harry potter and the sorcerer's stone." witches, pagans and heathens in the media.
- Opines that harry potter: christian icons & bad advice. seek god, 7 apr. 2008.
- Analyzes kern, edmund m., the wisdom of harry potter: what our favorite hero teaches us about moral
- Explains killinger, john, god, the devil, and harry potter: a christian minister's defense of the beloved.
- Opines that harry potter lures kids to witchcraft. kjos ministries. crossroad.
- Explains what's wrong with harry potter. let us reason ministries, 2000.
1192 wordsRead More - Analysis Of The Harry Potter Seriesanalytical essayOne of the most read series in all literature is Harry Potter. The seven-book succession has sold over 400 million copies and has been translated into over sixty languages. What is it that makes this series so wildly famous? What is it about the boy who lived that makes frenzied readers flock to their local bookstore at midnight on the day of the release to buy the latest installment? How is a story set in a world that doesn’t exist about wizards, witches, magic, and mystical creatures so popular? The series has been able to earn its spot on the New York Times Bestseller list and has granted author J.K. Rowling multiple awards because it is relatable. It is not the setting or the events in the plot of the story that we relate to. We relate to what Harry, his friends, mentors, teachers, caretakers, and even enemies feel. Harry is in a lot of ways exactly like us. He represents some of the good characteristics that all of us have as well as the bad. The series as a whole, is about one thing that is stressed over and over again in the novels, love. The Harry Potter series is one of the most read sequences of novels because the central theme is love and self-sacrifice, and readers are looking for a novel that shows them just that.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that harry potter is one of the most read series in all literature because the central theme is love and self-sacrifice.
- Analyzes how harry narrowly escaped death because his parents, especially his mother, were prepared to die for him because of their love. the love that lily shows harry is the same love readers look for when they read the book.
- Analyzes how the characters in harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban understand the value of a loving friendship.
- Analyzes how a patronus charm is used to ward off soul-sucking dementors in harry potter and the deathly hallows.
- Analyzes how j.k. rowling emphasizes the importance of love through quotes from dumbledore, but also makes it a light-hearted topic. harry learns about love-potions in his potions class taught by horace slughorn.
- Analyzes how the climax of the story is when harry tells his friends and loved ones that it is his job to finish the task (killing voldemort) that began with him.
- Analyzes how love is one of the hardest and strongest kinds of magic and is perhaps the fabric that holds the wizarding world of harry potter together
1341 wordsRead More - The Glass-Ceiling in the Wizarding World of Harry Potteranalytical essayThe portrayal of female characters in British literature has most often reflected the larger perception of women by society during the time of a work’s publication. In this regard, the immensely popular Harry Potter series written by author J.K. Rowling is certainly no exception. The circumstances for women in late 20th century Britain have improved and in many ways are nearing equality with men, yet a notable upper barrier to success still remains. Rowling captures this gender dynamic throughout the Harry Potter series by including a diverse cast of resilient female characters who are not allowed to take on the same leadership roles dominated by the men at Hogwarts, at the Ministry of Magic, in quidditch, and during the Triwizard tournament. The novels also center on an important theme of motherly love that Rowling uses to explore the sacrifices women must make in order to raise their children well. Such issues have been present in British literature for well over a century, with each generation seeing steps toward equality, both for the fictitious characters and the women of a given time period. The Harry Potter series, therefore, constitutes a reflection of female status in modern Britain that has advanced, but remains perpetually flawed.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how j.k. rowling captures this gender dynamic throughout the harry potter series by including a diverse cast of resilient female characters who are not allowed to take on the same leadership roles dominated by the men at hogwarts.
- Analyzes how rowling describes a lack of mobility for women into the higher echelons of society through the absence of true female leadership roles.
- Analyzes how hermione is one of many strong female characters in the novels, whose gender in no way hinders their talent.
- Analyzes how rowling emphasizes the lack of female authority by only including one female minister of magic, millicent bagnold, who coincidentally held the title during the same years as margaret thatcher
- Explains that both male and female students are allowed on the hogwarts quidditch team, which is an important symbol of status among students.
- Explains that rowling, j.k., harry potter and the order of the phoenix.
- Analyzes brown, jen, and michallat, wendy. "british attitudes to the french - two theories." bbc news.
1181 wordsRead More - J.K. Rowlinganalytical essaySoulliere, Danielle M. "Much ado about Harry: Harry Potter and the creation of a moral panic." 2010. Academic OneFile. Journal of Religion and Popular Culture 22.1. 12 Jan 2012. Web. .
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how j.k. rowling's seven-book harry potter series has spawned movies, numerous games, clothing, toy lines, and many other items.
- Analyzes how albus dumbledore is harry's mentor throughout the series even beyond the grave. he is elderly, wise, genial, vastly intelligent, and highly manipulative.
- Opines that lily potter's son is being raised like a pig for slaughter.
- Explains that even in the seventh book harry is only seventeen and his entire life, thus far, has been carefully orchestrated to kill lord voldemort, the series main antagonist.
- Analyzes how rowling created a hero dependent upon the wizarding world. she created an orphaned boy who dodged frying pains aimed at his head, locked in his cousin's second bedroom and fed cold tins of soup.
- Analyzes how the dursleys are not the only ones to fail harry, nor is albus dumbledore. the theme of unreliable adults is prevalent throughout the series.
- Analyzes how barty crouch sr. viciously dismisses his house elf, winky, in harry potter and the goblet of fire. his foul treatment horrified hermione, who spoke to sirius about it.
- Explains that albus dumbledore was an unreliable adult in the children's life at hogwarts. he cared for harry more than any other, but he demanded that harry be left with his bitter relatives.
- Analyzes how society is taught that two wrongs do not make a right, and that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, yet rowling seems to glorify the fact that harry often does the wrong thing for the right reasons.
- Analyzes how harry potter and the chamber of secrets broke several wizarding laws, including the statute of secrecy. the school board banned the series because it encouraged disobedience and disrespect for authority.
- Analyzes how hermione steals potions ingredients from professor snape to brew the polyjuice potion to find out if draco malfoy, the pampered school bully of their year, was the heir of slytherin.
- Analyzes how hermione's disgust at the enslavement and mistreatment of the house elves in harry potter and the goblet of fire prompted her to create the society for the promotion of elfish welfare.
- Analyzes how rowling poked fun at slavery. the black family beheaded their elves when they became unable to continue their labor.
- Analyzes how ursula le guin, author of chronicles of earthsea, said the book was "ethically rather mean-spirited" about the first book, which is arguably the most light-hearted of the entire series.
- Analyzes how rowling's work isn't an epic piece of work that is destined for immortality nor doomed to the pits of a 5 cent used book store.
- Explains that harry potter and the creation of a moral panic.
1581 wordsRead More - Harry Potterexplanatory essayDuring this day and time there are many cool fads that catch on quite quickly and leave quickly as well. Lately there has been one fad that has caught on and it doesn’t seem as if it is going to leave anytime soon. This fad has caused much chaos and controversy throughout America. This fad is called Harry Potter. It seems as if everyone has his or her own opinion on it.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that there are many cool fads that catch on quite quickly and leave quickly as well. harry potter has caused much chaos and controversy throughout america.
- Explains that harry potter started out as a book by j. k. rowling, intended to entertain children. but it has gotten dragged through the mud and made into an even bigger deal.
- Explains that the media and many adults are claiming that these books and movies are evil. robert mcgee, associate pastor of the first baptist church of merritt island of ca, says children are leaning the elements of witchcraft.
- Explains that many of the spells used in the movie and books are real from the religion wicca from great britain. roger coleman, a wiccan minister, said he found very similarity between his religion and the witchcraft
- Explains that the first baptist church of merritt island has started a potter movie of their own. the one-hour video has been shown to hundreds of people across brevard county ca.
- Opines that the potter books are harmless and are meant to make children use their imagination.
- Opines that the complaints are based on the feeling that evil pervades the works and the belief that if young people read these books they’ll forget everything their parents taught them.
- Explains that harry potter has had many charges filed against it over the wizards used in it, though you haven't seen that any of the disney movies have had any charges.
551 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fireanalytical essayIn J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the protagonist Harry Potter experiences wonderful and dangerous things in the wizarding world. From watching the famous quidditch world cup, to meeting wizards from all over the world as well as fighting dangerous dragons, Harry’s experiences help to shape and prepare him as a wizard for things in the future. Harry Potter becomes more mature and confident in his abilities as well as his friends throughout the story’s progression.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how j.k. rowling's harry potter and the goblet of fire helps shape and prepare harry as a wizard for things in the future.
- Analyzes how harry potter gets placed into dangerous tournaments, such as the tri wizard tournament, where three champions compete for their school. harry, unlike many students, didn't want eternal glory and fame.
- Explains that harry didn't attempt to solve the clue until much after the first task had ended. harry's best friend ron weasley was mad at him for entering the tournament because he was too young.
- Analyzes how harry becomes more confident during his training for the final task. he learns many new spells that will help him get through the deadly maze.
- Analyzes how harry potter becomes a mature and confident individual as the book unfolds. he learns and experiences many new things. the triwizard tournament was one of the most deadly things harry had done at the time.
931 wordsRead More - Harry Potter Through a Christian Perspectiveanalytical essayThe novels of Harry Potter, written by J. K. Rowling are constantly in debate among Christians whether Harry Potter is preaching sorcery and paganism or that the books have a spiritual meaning deeper than most care to look at. It is easy to look through the books and find sources of witchcraft but one could say the same for sources of the gospel. Author, J.K. Rowland has stated that her own Christian faith has in fact informed her writing of the popular series. Many Christians say Harry Potter is incomparable to Christ, being far from perfection while Voldemort seems to strike a different chord of response as far as his character representing The Devil himself.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the novels of harry potter, written by j. k. rowling, are constantly in debate among christians whether the books are preaching sorcery and paganism or that they have a spiritual meaning.
- Analyzes how the books describe the struggle between good and evil and the ultimate victory of good over evil through harry's courage and love for the human spirit.
- Analyzes how the characters in the book have unique traits to them, allowing their qualities of a higher being to stand out.
- Analyzes how harry potter's loyalty to dumbledore is rewarded with the phoenix, a symbol of christ.
- Analyzes how rowling emphasizes the number seven in the story of harry potter. voldemort divides his soul into seven horcruxes, which represent the seven deadly sins.
- Explains that hogwartz is purely fiction, full of mythical creatures and imaginary spells, but the setting that it takes place in is very real.
- Explains that if it isn't clear the gospel is evident in harry potter, by the seventh book it should be evident.
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