I find myself thinking on and off about the Harry Potter series. The fact that the books are hugely enjoyable and the reasons behind why they are so, are obvious to everyone. However it is not equally widely acknowledged that the books have the power to enrich our lives, proving themselves to be far more layered than just any well-written set of books.
For the ones who feel as I do, here are some of the things I love about the Potter series and which have led to J.K Rowling being, for me, a leading light among the illuminati who walk this planet.
1. Hermione Granger - An all-time favorite literary character. She is all those things I admire, many of which I wish now that I was when I was her age - fearless, self-respecting, resourceful, and absolutely completely herself. I heard JKR say somewhere that at an age when a lot of girls are trying to fit in, are willing to tweak themselves in order to do so, become popular, Hermione never played to the gallery. For example, she never considered that in order to win Ron's affection, she would need to be less intellectual and less frequently right. Her character grows naturally through the series, both softening and strengthening, in an uncompromising manner.
For the brilliant role model she is to young girls and people in general, I love her and JKR for creating her in her own image.
“‘It only put me in Gryffindor,’ said Harry in a defeated voice, ‘because I asked not to go in Slytherin…’ ‘Exactly’ said Dumbledore, beaming once more. ‘Which makes you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.’”
This is one thought from HP that lies around like a sleeping dog inside my head, with one eye and ear open, looking for moments to prove itself useful or just get up and bound around with joy.
And while it may sound obvious, a proverb, a saying or a moral doesn't hit home till you see it take shape in front of you. This one comes to life beautifully and tragically throughout the series.
3. When Harry's mother sacrifices her life for Harry, it is this act of sacrifice and love that magically protects Harry from Voldemort, and so the curse famously back-fires.
Voldemort is unable to touch Harry due to the power of his mother's love.
It 'tangibalizes' something we have heard preached down to us so many times. Tolkien also did the same thing, with Bilbo's act of sparing Gollum's life eventually helping save Frodo's at Mount Doom. Brilliant, both of them. What beautiful ways to express that no good deed, act of kindness or love goes unseen and unrewarded. And in HP, it also says that a parent's love really does have power.
4. Severus Snape - We don't understand what his deal is till the end but once we do, we realize the full weight of what JKR has done - created a character that is so complex, so rich, so heroic in his own way, that the mind boggles at how she did it in such an inconspicuous manner.
His love for Lily, justified dislike for James Potter and his rowdies, his bad boy days, and then reform - sweet dangerous reform.
Lovely shades of grey.
5. “‘Tell me one last thing,’ said Harry. ‘Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?’ Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry’s ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure. ‘Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?’”
Pure gold. Free to be interpreted in multiple ways. Today I choose for it to mean that the mind shapes and controls the 'real' world and in that sense is more real than anything else. Our thoughts, visions, dreams are the true source of everything and everyone. Today, that's what I choose for it to mean.
Acknowledgments -
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Rebirth_of_Tom_Riddle
http://thenectarcollective.com/2013/10/life-lessons-learned-harry-potter/
3. When Harry's mother sacrifices her life for Harry, it is this act of sacrifice and love that magically protects Harry from Voldemort, and so the curse famously back-fires.
Voldemort is unable to touch Harry due to the power of his mother's love.
It 'tangibalizes' something we have heard preached down to us so many times. Tolkien also did the same thing, with Bilbo's act of sparing Gollum's life eventually helping save Frodo's at Mount Doom. Brilliant, both of them. What beautiful ways to express that no good deed, act of kindness or love goes unseen and unrewarded. And in HP, it also says that a parent's love really does have power.
4. Severus Snape - We don't understand what his deal is till the end but once we do, we realize the full weight of what JKR has done - created a character that is so complex, so rich, so heroic in his own way, that the mind boggles at how she did it in such an inconspicuous manner.
His love for Lily, justified dislike for James Potter and his rowdies, his bad boy days, and then reform - sweet dangerous reform.
Lovely shades of grey.
5. “‘Tell me one last thing,’ said Harry. ‘Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?’ Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry’s ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure. ‘Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?’”
Pure gold. Free to be interpreted in multiple ways. Today I choose for it to mean that the mind shapes and controls the 'real' world and in that sense is more real than anything else. Our thoughts, visions, dreams are the true source of everything and everyone. Today, that's what I choose for it to mean.
Acknowledgments -
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Rebirth_of_Tom_Riddle
http://thenectarcollective.com/2013/10/life-lessons-learned-harry-potter/
