Abstract This paper compares the film "HarryPotter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and Grimm's fairy tale, "Cinderella", with the emphasis on the plot of the film. It discusses the similarities of the two stories, with both title characters orphans, living with oppressive family members, made to cook and clean, and using magical powers to escape their miserable lives. It also expands on their cultural differences, HarryPotter as a contemporary story and Cinderella from another era.
From the Paper ""Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" begins with Harry being left on the doorstep of a middle-class Englishman. Mr Dursley by Albus Dumbledore the head of a wizardry academy called, Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall who teaches at Hogwarts and ..."
Abstract This paper briefly discusses the growth and development of HarryPotter's character over the course of the book "HarryPotter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and his year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
From the Paper "Good stories usually to have good plots and story lines but they also tend to have good character development.The main characters show some type of growth or development ..."
Tags:HarryPotter, Growth, Development, Sorcerer's Stone
Abstract This paper examines and discusses the characteristics and relationships between Harry, Ron and Hermione in the book, "HarryPotter and the Chamber of Secrets".
From the Paper "There is a common saying or assumption that a person is measured by the quality of his or her friends. In school or work groups of friends or cliques or clubs develop and people a ..."
Tags: Chamber of Secrets, HarryPotter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, loyalty, determination, intelligence
Abstract This paper discusses of the controversy surrounding "HarryPotter," the best selling children's series of all time. It explains that the controversy lies in the packaging of the tale in a seemingly occult-friendly world. The author contends that underneath the packaging that bothers some religious fanatics so much, lays a series of books that brings the joy of reading and growth of spirit to almost any reader.
From the Paper "Harry Potter is the best selling children's series of all time. Its first book is also the most banned book in the United States. The controversy lies in the packaging of the tale in a ..."
Abstract The paper focuses on the theme of love in J.K.Rowling's "HarryPotter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and how it relates to the greed of Quirrell and Voldemort. The paper explains the role of spiritual love and mother love.
From the Paper "The theme of love in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone:" Love is perhaps the strongest emotion there is in the world. Most fiction is written using love as its basic theme, whether that is romantic love, friendship, love of family, love of country, of ideals, of sport, or even of comrades in arms."
Abstract This paper discusses the role of Prof. Albus Dumbledore, principle of Hogwarts, in the modern classic 'HarryPotter' by J.K. Rowling. The paper further discusses that all the major characters are at the same time simple and complex. The simple aspect is that all characters are quite clearly either the good guys or the bad guys. The complex aspect is that her characters often have depth to their characters so that it can be hard to tell at times what their objectives and plans are.
Abstract This paper explains that, since J.K. Rowling published the first "HarryPotter" book, some parents, religious groups and educators have opposed the supposed 'controversial nature' of the books saying that they are evil, while other people feel they are educational and beneficial. The author points out that Courtney Strimel in her article "The Politics of Terror: Rereading "HarryPotter" did a better job of relaying her message because she listed many reasons why HarryPotter books help children and her reasons left little room for one to argue otherwise; whereas, while making good points, Berit Kjos in "HarryPotter Lures Kids to Witchcraft" gave too many opposing positions and left many unanswered questions. The paper asserts that, whether the HarryPotter books are harmful or worthwhile will continue to be debatable; however, in this case, Ms. Strimel's article was the better of the two because she made the more convincing argument by providing strong opinions, better explanations and relevant facts. The paper includes several quotations.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Evil: Berit Kjos' "HarryPotter Lures Kids to Witchcraft"
Educational: Courtney Strimel's "The Politics of Terror: Rereading "HarryPotter""
Comparison
From the Paper "She discussed the effectiveness of the use of Harry Potter books in helping children cope with terrorism issues. She claims, "instead of making the series immoral, the magic, frightening storylines, and character ambiguity all operate together to explore a vast array of morality issues." She goes on to strengthen this argument by discussing several different issues in great detail. One such topic is terrorism, of which she states, "the lessons about terror in the Harry Potter series may be scary and confusing at times, but magical fantasy allows children to deal with timeless, realistic, frightening topics while maintaining a safe distance from the agent causing the anxiety." This is a strength because it is a very plausible and justifiable argument that shows a benefit to children reading these books."
Abstract Since the "HarryPotter" series is such a success, it has had its critics claiming the books should not be considered literature because many critics believe that having merit and being a commercial success are mutually exclusive. This paper argues that it is important to believe in the literary merit of the "HarryPotter" series because it is a reflection of our culture. By looking at some common elements of literature and then finding them in the "HarryPotter" series, the paper argues that the "HarryPotter" series is true literature.
From the Paper "The Harry Potter series is, so far, five books by J.K. Rowling, chronicling the life of the young, orphaned wizard Harry Potter. The series is a coming of age story, beginning when Harry is eleven and following him through adolescence and young adulthood until he is seventeen. Harry's life includes all the prosaic struggles of a young boy, like interaction with the opposite sex, or questioning authority figures. Harry's struggles take place against the backdrop of the turbulent world of magic, with dragons, unicorns, trees that are bewitched to demolish anything in the path, broomsticks, and dark wizards. The series is a classic good versus evil story, with epic battles, complex villains, and moral dilemmas."
Abstract HarryPotter books have attracted a lot of controversy about their use in classrooms. This paper explains that some people feel that they shouldn't be used, either because they might "promote witchcraft", or just because there are better choices for middle school reading. This paper argues, however, that despite any drawbacks, the benefits of the HarryPotter books outweigh the drawbacks. These books encourage kids to use their imaginations, and they depict good friendships. Keeping them out of classrooms will encourage the extreme minority who want to censor them, and these books are popular and are, therefore, being read. It concludes that all of these facts combine to make the HarryPotter series a good addition for use by an educator.
From the Paper "The Harry Potter series of books, by British author J.K. Rowling, has become one of the most popular series of books for children ever published. Even though this series is so popular, there are people who believe that the books should not be read in schools. Although there are reasons for and against reading Harry Potter books in class, the reasons for getting students to read Harry Potter are more convincing. The first two books of the series, especially, when Harry is new at Hogwarts are not as "dark" as the later books in the series. One of the arguments against letting students read these books is that they are so "dark", but the first two books, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are recommended for 8 to 13 year-olds, and should be read in middle school."
Abstract This paper explains that much social controversy has arisen within the religious community which considers J.K. Rowling's "HarryPotter" to introduce impressionable young minds to the art and practice of magic, witchcraft, sorcery and the occult. The author points out that, when read by normal, intelligent young adults, the psychological affects are very low, especially when read as an enjoyable experience, which transports the reader to other worlds and forces them to utilize their imaginations, not to mention that it is often an enjoyable thing to be frightened. The paper concludes that (1) Rowling is only trying to tell an enjoyable story despite being heavily linked to the supernatural and, (2) if young adult readers really wanted to become a witch or a sorcerer, it would suit them far better to read the Holy Bible, which also contains images and suggestions of witchcraft and sorcery.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Fantastic Literature
Critical Theories on Young Adult Literature
HarryPotter and the Supernatural
Censorship and HarryPotter Conclusion
From the Paper "Any person who picks up a Harry Potter novel will surely come to realize that J.K. Rowling must have spent a great amount of time conducting research into the occult and the supernatural in order to produce such powerful and influential literary characters and situations. Obviously, Rowling has borrowed heavily from much older sources concerning the supernatural, sorcery and witchcraft, some dating back to medieval times. As one of the world's oldest religions, witchcraft is a pagan faith, non-Christian rather than anti-Christian, and is based upon the belief that nature and the universe can be controlled and manipulated via magic and the invocation of divine spirits."
This paper explores the contention of some that reading HarryPotter will encourage children to believe in the religion of Wicca, a religion of witchcraft.
Abstract The paper discusses the belief of many Christians that HarryPotter is more than just a literary fantasy; it is imbued with evil witchcraft and wizardry and it goes against the teachings of the Bible. The paper examines the religion of Wicca and takes a close look to ascertain whether HarryPotter novels really encourage Satanism and Wicca. The paper asserts that with proper guidance from parents and teachers, there is no way for children to consider HarryPotter as anything more than literary fantasy.
From the Paper "Who would ever think that a woman who wrote a story about a boy-wizard during a train trip from Manchester to London would change the literary world forever? For over a decade and a half, Harry Potter became a household name and has been read by people from all walks of life and different age groups. The appeal is not simply because of the wonderful world of wizards and witches J.K. Rowling took us but the stories are fantastic and mesmerizing. Starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Sorcerer's Stone for American audience) in 1997 and bringing us the seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was recently released, Rowling's fame - and fortune never wavered but instead continued to sore unchartered heights in the literary world. Despite the fame and success of the seven Harry Potter books and five Hollywood-made movies to-date, Rowling and her creation is not without controversy."
Tags: witches, Bible, Christians, Satanism, literary, fantasy
Abstract This paper reviews sources claiming that ?HarryPotter? is not a harmless literary fantasy, but rather, conservative Christians claim, that Rowling's wizards, witchcraft, and magic may draw impressionable young readers into the occult. The author points out that the American Library Association (ALA) reports the HarryPotter series now has the dubious distinction of being the most censored series of books in America. The paper relates that many other accepted literary treasures, such as "A Christmas Carol", ? Macbeth?, ? The Lord of the Rings?, "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table", "Alice in Wonderland", "The Wizard of Oz", and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", also contain elements of the mystical.
Table of Contents
Specific Anti-Harry Issues Raised by Conservatives and Christians
Seeing the Truth and the Fun in J. K. Rowling's Sparkling Story-Telling
Conclusion
From the Paper "In Alamogordo, New Mexico, Jack Brock, pastor of the Christ Community Church, recently "led a mass burning of Harry Potter books"and told reporters that the books "encourage our youth to learn more about witches, warlocks and sorcerers, and those things are an abomination to God and to me".? In Lewiston, Maine, a local group called ?The Jesus Party,? led by the Rev. Dough Taylor, announced a book-burning party in the public park, but when the fire department refused to give his organization a permit, he took scissors to a Potter book and shredded it into a trashcan. Officials of the city's public library in Jacksonville, Florida, have abandoned a plan to distribute "Hogwarts certificates" encouraging young people to read. Why? Because, Boston reports, ?Local resident, John Miesburg, complained that the books promoted "the evil of witchcraft".? "
Abstract This paper provides a quick overview of the plot of "HarryPotter and the Chamber of Secrets", the sequel to the first "HarryPotter" book. The paper also describes the characters in the book and the writing style of J.K. Rowlings and explains the reasons for the book's appeal to such a large audience.
From the Paper "The second installment in the amazingly successful Harry Potter series is a delightful literary romp that can appeal to adults as well as children. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets chronicles the adventures and escapades of the title character during his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with Harry Potter's intrepid sidekicks, the aptly-named Ron Weasley and astute, precocious Hermione Granger, J. K. Rowling crafts a fine array of colorful characters. The evil ones of the bunch: Draco Malfoy and Professor Severus Snape, add complexity to the cast at Hogwarts, as do ancillary characters like the likeable Hagrid and regal headmaster Dumbledore. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets includes the requisite elements of the supernatural and macabre that characterizes the Harry Potter series. However, it is Rowling's distinctive sense of humor that set apart Rowling's books from other young adult series. The names of spells, slapstick incidents, and gross-out scenes prove delightful for readers of all ages."
Abstract This paper explains how J. K. Rowling manages, in her "HarryPotter" novels, to illustrate the issues of right vs. wrong on a variety of levels in a manner that allows virtually all children to understand the moral dilemmas presented in the stories. The paper further explains that, according to the criteria put forth by experts on character education, the character of HarryPotter effectively demonstrates moral behavior because he understands how his actions will affect others and formulates his plan of action with this knowledge in mind.
From the Paper "Character education has become an important part of a growing number of elementary schools (Edgington, PAGE). Schools have been faced with a number of crises caused by students who do not completely seem to understand what is right and wrong at school. As a result, many schools have metal detectors and some even bring in drug-sniffing dogs. Educators realize that student see an inordinate amount of violence on TV and that television and other entertainment, along with such things as video games, present less than ideal standards for young people. At the same time, electronic activities have cut into the amount of time students spend reading."
