Well, I've done it. I gave the kiddies to my darling husband and had this time to read the last of the saga. Perhaps it was that I'm not feeling so well - got the cold from the kiddies - but I had mixed views on this whole Potter thing...
As a series of books exploring the realms of good/evil and the 'greater good', I'd have to say they were well written for that. In fact, the teacher in me began a unit for a grade nine class to read the Potter books, contrast to Corrie ten Boom's writings, and place it all within the backdrop of WWII (curricular requirement here in Canada in gr. 9). The idea of placing an analysis of 'breaking the rules' at this age group is very appealing to me, but alas, I don't teach high school. I've grown rather fond of Harry and company and am glad to see that Rowling has kept redemption and clear lines of good/evil right to the end. (Harry uses disarming spells instead of the unforgivables) As for those fellow Christians who point out about the whole use of 'rule bending' I must say that in light of reality and her placing this story in the clear choices between right and wrong, Harry does well to live up to a reputation of integrity.
But, I was greatly disturbed by the amount of violence. Upon reading the first few chapters of the last book, I was so upset I had to put it down for awhile... Because I can't tolerate it? No, because I was disturbed by the fact that in droves, children 10 to 12 years were buying the book and in a way, their 'innocence' was being stripped as Harry's was. This was unfair. The salesclerk in the store assumed our children (9 and 12) were buying Harry and was surprised to learn that they were purchasing Nancy Drew and Geronimo Stilton instead. Yes, parents have a duty to guide their children, but these books were originally made out to be for younger children and I wonder of those parents how many have read all the books! I love the idea that the original readers of Harry were in their late teens/early 20s to read the final book, but what about the new readers just coming into the series? Rowling has an obligation, I feel, to her public in this. When a book is being promoted near the children's section and trick-or-treat costumes are placed beside it, what are children and parents to think?
Overall, I'm glad to have met Harry and to have read his story. It has given me a clearer way to view good/evil and to teach anew to my children and students, the place of authority, rules, love, forgiveness, and remorse. As a Christian, I can't see my darlins reading this series until much later (daughter declared she wanted to be 16 to read the first one -hee hee, we'll see) and then doing it as a read-aloud on our family book nights. Darling husband and I want to discuss the roll of witchcraft, rules, and the like with them. Part of me doesn't want them to have to experience loss as they read along with Harry, as they've seen enough loss in their own lives before we adopted them. The other part of me wants to show them an example of resiliancy and integrity. At least for now, we'll wander the dusty hallways with Nancy and have high flying adventures with Geronimo. We can try to give them a more peaceful world to grow up in where the hero isn't always in mortal peril, and the griefs are not going to hit as close to home as Harry's will.
In the end, "all is well". Well said Rowling, well said.
[this is good] Great post! I like reading different takes on it, and I agree with you completely. I'm one of the lucky kids who grew up as the books did, and I haven't really thought of the younger kids who now have all the books at their disposal. It's a good plan to let them read HP when they're older. I think they could appreciate it more, anyhow.
Posted by: Alex | 07/23/2007 at 01:41 AM