For some links on Harry Potter's morality - especially the result (or non-results) of actions upon the soul of HP's characters look at the following:

Actions and JKR's Apparent World View

A Priori "Good or Bad"

Proving the Argument

Character Depth and "Good and Bad"

A Clarification

A Somewhat Flippant Answer

New! Steve Greydanus has updated his comparison of Rowling to Tolkein for the upcoming movies! Take a look!

Well, let's put it this way. If your kid is bugging you and there'll be no peace if you don't go, then by all means, spare your eardrums and go. If you can bear to live without, please save your money for two viewings of Lord of the Rings. If you're curious, or if this is at all a possibility with screaming kids, take this advice:

Hollywood (as I learnt from my month in ground zero) counts how successful a movie is by how much it makes the opening weekend. If you are going to see Harry Potter the movie, then it would be better if you went the second week of its release. Essentially, vote with your dollars. Likewise, don't buy anything from the concession stand when going to see HP - this is where the movie theatre makes most of its money. If a film has lots of people going, but no one's buying popcorn, the theatre suffers.

Conversely, for Heaven's sake go to the first showing of Lord of the Rings, and buy an extra large popcorn and soda. Then do that again.

But amidst all of this pray that the Lord use the coming of these two films for His glory, and in His way. I'm sure it's no accident that HP and LOTR are essentially competing on America's mainstage - let's do our little part, and let God do His work.

Literary Quality:
Christian Morality: Dangerous
Age Appropriateness: Pre-Teen

So, why the uproar? Just how good are these books? What makes them different? Are these books even worth all the hoopla? And how in the world does Harry Potter 4 measure up?

Let’s take these questions in sequential order, shall we? And hopefully, when we get to the end, we’ll have a better understanding of why these books have become such a battleground between Christians and the world.

So, why the uproar?

The flippant answer to this is: it’s all the publicists’ fault. However, let’s take a brief look at its history. A-way back when, somewhere around 1997/1998, a book came out in the UK entitled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It enjoyed mild success, positive word of mouth, and encouraging booksellers. Given these earmarks, the publicists turned their sights towards the consumeristic US in 1999 and launched a massive campaign to promote the book overseas. Three books were offered at once, huge displays were available for booksellers, Amazon sales and more, reviews, went through the roof (1000+ for the first book alone), and teachers promulgated the book in class. The general enjoyment of a segment of the populace became the epidemic applause across the boards, thanks in equal parts to a fun book and an amazing publicity campaign.

Just how good are these books? What makes them different?

Naturally, publicity alone isn’t enough to sustain such hysteria. So what’s the Harry Potter books have that other books don’t? Several things (in no particular order):

1. The language is easy, and therefore accessible to everyone.

2. The protagonist is a male, which, again, widens the potential audience to both male and female readers.

3. The authoress does not make her own name gender specific, aiding number 2.

4. The books are formulaic, giving the readers a “stable” product. Further, the formula itself is classic.

a. Harry Potter lives with his aunt’s horrid family (thus “sympathising” with all the disgruntled pre-teens, and reinforcing the Nickelodeon generation ideal).

b. The majority of the action takes place at a school (again, an immediate bond with the audience).

c. The dilemma always arises from the requisite “bad guy” who Harry defeats – in this case, Lord Voldemort, the wizard who killed his parents.

d. The interim is filled with fanciful and fun “magic,” such as the HP4 “omnioculars” which are binoculars that can also see real-life events in playback and repeat.

e. In addition to the study of (nearly) fantastical magic, Harry is also a member of the Quiddish Team, which is a sport somewhat like basketball on broomsticks.

f. Each book ends with a puzzle, wherein one character is not who he seems to be (adding in the element of Mystery to Fantasy).

Weeell…they’re certainly worth the initial interest. Harry Potter is very likable, as are his cohorts in crime, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Likewise, the world that they inhabit is loads of fun, with various magical gizmos, the inimitable Quiddish (see above e.), and nifty puzzles to solve. It reads something like an activity book with a plot.

And how in the world does Harry Potter 4 measure up?

In all honesty, HP4 doesn’t, in a lot of respects. After all, after four books you can’t help but be subject to sequel syndrome. Rowling does a fair job of attempting to vary the usual formula by beginning the book with a dark and scary scene between the two bad guys, and then “subjecting” us to only two chapters of the awful Dursleys before whizzing us away to the International Quiddish Match, and then off to Hogwarts for another riproaring year – this time with no Quiddish, but the Tri-Wizard Tournament (for which Harry makes a fourth), and a horrifying, gory ending with the restored Lord Voldemort himself.

However, despite these raised stakes, HP4 also contains several logical plot holes. For a discussion on these, please refer to the Library Board on The Republic of Pemberley. Likewise, Rowling’s language is worse than her previous books. The second chapter is almost entirely explanation, but worse, her last five chapters are monologues, where Harry is literally tied up and Voldemort is explaining his dastardly life. Gack. Rowling wrote better than that before! The puzzle is less surprising and intricate than her previous books, one of the major plot lines (the liberation of the slavish house elves) is dropped entirely without a word of explanation, and another one of her plot lines (the Imperious Curse which makes the accursed brainlessly slavish) acts rather like Chekov’s gun that never quite goes off.

Further, there are more swears (several use of d--n and Oh G-d!), greater intimations of the characters being aware of their own sexuality (Harry and Ron happen upon two minor characters in the bushes – nothing is said explicitly…yet), and quite a bit more gore (a character dies, and another performs self-mutilation).

Added to all of this is the simple fact that HP4 is a 600-700+ (depending on whether you’ve bought the UK or US version respectively) page book, which is a bit too long for this particular series.

So, what does this mean for the Christian?

Despite all the good things that can and should be said about Harry Potter (i.e., that it’s helping children read), concerned parents should consider what these books say. Repeatedly, the Harry Potter books promulgate lying, cheating, stealing, disobedience, and revenge – to name a few. The morality is distinctly pagan; the virtues when dissected read as Machiavelli for kids. People are either good or bad depending on someone’s outside arbitrary judgement, rather than on their actions. Harry and Voldemort both extract vengeance, but Harry – being dubbed the hero – can do no wrong, even when he sins time and again. Whatever will gain him his goal will justify the means he uses – whether that be lying or telling the truth. Further, Harry takes only one responsibility upon himself – revenge for his parents upon Voldemort and his minions – but that sort of responsibility should not rest solely on any child’s shoulder. Rowling, apparently, doesn’t agree with this. But let’s take a look at the first question of Harry’s propensity towards lauded sinful behaviour.

Rowling “Stacks the Deck”

I think I've commented before that the HP books tend to promote rule-breaking, lying, and revenge. However, every time I mention that, others come back saying, "yes, but HP did that to the bad guy, so it was OK." Specific bad guys generally include, however, those that strictly follow the rules, lie outrageously either through malice or ignorance (rendering HP's lies "trivial"), and are "out" to get Harry.

Lessee:

1. Harry's archenemy, Lord Voldemort, is always trying to kill him. Therefore it is "right" of him to disobey school rules in order to save his skin, to lie to his teachers in order to cover up his disobedience, and to prepare himself for some sort of horrid revenge on the fellow.

2. Harry lives with an abusive family. Therefore it is "right" of him to disobey them, to lie to them, and to get revenge on them. (I.e., HP4: eats sweets, willing to sneak out to friends, laughs when cousin's tongue enlarges and turns purple.)

3. Harry's schoolmate enemy, Drago Malfoy, is always trying to humiliate him. Therefore it is "right" of him to disobey school rules in order to get revenge on him, again "right" to lie to superiors about his disobedience and vengeance.

Well, yes, as far as it goes. But what we need to realise is that JKR has been stacking the decks in such a way that we "MUST" agree with her. Because, YES, people have the right disobey if it's a matter of life and death - whether physically, mentally or spiritually. However, if children can get their hands on HP4 hardcover, it's hardly likely they're running for their life or that their parents are abusive!

But that leaves schoolfellows humiliating us, doesn't it! The majority of the children reading these books will have suffered something similar to a Draco Malfoy - therefore how Harry handles the situation is still pertinent to the readers. This, of course, begs the question - is, then, the way that Harry handles pettiness (i.e., in the same fashion as he handles death-threats and abuse) the "right" way to do so? Are the three situations entirely equable?

Of course not. Draco is petty, and Harry's disobedience, lying and revenge upon him are more than petty, they're sinful. But since JKR has already stacked the decks in favour of Harry breaking rules, lying and revenging in critical and unlikely situations, she's flavoured everything else he does with a sense of "rightness" - for right or for wrong.

This fallacious argument (technically, "poisoning the well," "hasty generalisation," and "extrapolation") is the center of HP4. In it, JKR raises the stakes. Now it's not only Harry that's in mortal peril if he obeys the rules (telling, non?), but everyone else, as well. She lingers on house-elves which Hermione names "slaves," and she introduces a curse which will render the cursee completely (horrifically according to JKR) obedient (brainless slavishness). Only HP is able to repell the curse - and for that he's given high marks.

Our argument is more difficult. Of course no one's going to argue in favour of any form of slavery! Of course in that instance one should fight off the oppression. But the thing is that JKR by stacking the deck even higher has made the distinction between right and wrong governance even more hazy to see. She has replaced Machiavelli for turning the other cheek; she has degenerated us back into the dark ages of Hammurbi’s Code. As Dumbledore, the kindly headmaster, sums up in the end, "I find that generally the truth is more preferable than a lie." (Italics mine.)

But let's turn on our thinking caps: although Rowling fairly well "forced" HP, and thus ourselves, into an "heroic" action that necessitated violating the rules - couldn't there have been another route? Time and time again, Harry does not contact his elders - even Dumbledore - for assistance, preferring to break the rules and gain the glory for himself. Worse, as the books progress, the very few tentatively trustworthy adults either encourage Harry to break the rules of not only the school, but also the Wizarding government, or else those same semi-trustworthy adults are somehow made impotent (Dumbledore gulled off on a wild-goose chase in Book I; Dumbledore and Hagrid falsely arrested by the Ministry of Magic in Book II; Lupin is taken over by his werewolf self, Black (Harry's "godfather") is hunted by the Ministry of Magic, and Dumbledore incapacitated by the same in Book III; whole staff duped in Book IV). It's the anti-authority message of the Nickelodeon Generation.

So what should the concerned parent do?

Well, one of the best things any mother or father could do is to just keep these books out of their house. Check out Narnia, Prydian, (see above) or Middle-Earth first, and move on from there. However, if your son or daughter has already read the books, why not take some time to discuss the books with your child? Even better, why not read the books aloud together, pausing to discuss certain points? But by all means, if you are going to allow your child to read the books, please read them yourself, in order to make an informed judgement.

God bless all you Warriors in Our Lord! Be sure that my prayers are with you all!

A Must-Buy HP Book (canyabelieveit?)

Collector's Value Guide to Harry Potter Collectibles

I just found this on the shelves down at my local Hallmark store the other day, and am SOOOOO glad I bought it! I urge anyone interested in learning what the promoters of HP have to say (and not just my own humble rantings) BUY THIS BOOK TODAY! Below's the quick review I just did for Amazon.

NOTE! Please understand that this review reflects on the promoters' agenda, not necessarily on Rowlings. The promoters of the book seem more overtly interested in promoting the occult than JKR's books do, at the moment. No slander of JKR is therefore intended from this review.

Whether you own everything available with a lightning bolt on its side, or whether you believe that these books are the product of the man downstairs, "The Collector's Value Guide to Harry Potter Collectibles" is an absolute must-buy.

More than just a catalogue, the Guide includes articles on "Harry Potter in the News," a profile of JKR, and a sneak peek at the movie, "Wizardry and Witchcraft Through the Ages," "Witches in History," (both of which include an introduction to modern-day Wiccanism), a listing of books, sitcoms and films fans might enjoy, a tour of England, a glossary of terms (such as Divination), and the origins of holidays celebrated at Hogwarts (such as Halloween from Samhain, and Christmas from "the medieval tradition of churches opening their poor boxes and distributing the alms and the...gifts to servants or employees.") Not to mention that catalogue bit for your credit card's pleasure.

Fans of "Harry Potter," young and old, will appreciate all that this guide has packed in for them - and those who object to the books will find interesting information provided in the articles. Don't wait another minute - get yours today!

OK, so now, what DOES the book say? Let's take a look.

The very first article (after the table of contents, and a wicked brief two paragraph intro) is entitled, "Wizardry and Witchcraft Through the Ages."

"JKR's HP books are filled with magical creatures, mysterious spells and powerful wizards - subjects that have fascinated humans since the beginning of time. Sotires of witches and wizards can be found in folk and fairy tales, legends and myths. Origianlly, they were passed down through story telling and later written down. Here's a look at some legendary witches and wizards who could rival even Prof. Dumbledore.

Magic and the Rise of Science

Wizards have been around since the begining of time and were important figures in the ancient world. They played many roles, such as priests, astrologiests, court magicians and diviners and indeed, HP would be proud to take his place among them.

One such famous wizard was Merlin, a Welsh magician who played an imporant part in the birth of King Arthus.... Merlin eventually became Arthur's friend, confidante and magician and has gone down in history as one of the greatest wizards of all time.

In the Middle Ages, a new art came to Europe from Arabia known as alchemy. Alchemy is commonly known as the practice of turning metal into gold, but this goal is only part of a larger search. The transformation of metal into gold as through to make the alchemist's spirit completley pure. As a result, an alchemist who learned to turn metal into gold would have th epower to live forever!

Witches in History

Witches have existed for untold ages. They began as spiritual figures or priestesses. However, during the medieval period, the label "witch" gained a negative connotation. Much like the Animagus in Harry's world, it was believed that witches could change their shape into that of an animal and travel undetected to cause mischief. Witches were also thought to be able to control the weather. Perhaps the most frightening was the Evil Eye. It was believed that witches who possessed this ability had only to gaze at a person and illness and bad luck would follow.

Today there is a form of witchcraft called Wicca. Practicioners of Wicca celebrate the power of nature and pride themselves on doing good deeds. These modern day witches are a unified group, often coming together at festivals on particular occasions thorughout the year, where they sing, dance and enjoy the company of friends and family.

HP is sure to have learned about all of these legendary wizards, alchemists and practices in Prof. Binns' "History of Magic" class. And these studies are sure to have helped him understand his role within the wizard community."

A tad earlier, in the tour through England, they explain Halloween's origins as so:

"Halloween has its roots in ancient Britain, though nowadays it is more popular in the US. The Celts and Druids celebrated "Samhain" - which means "summer's end" - at the end of each October. This, however, was not only a festival commemorating the end of the summer, but also a nigth when the spirits of the dead returned to visit the living. Bonfires were usually lit in order to prevent any bad spirits from staying and to encourage the good ones to linger."

"Christmas is followed by Boxing Day, which is observed on December 26 and is one of the many holidays that is observed at Hogwarts. (Me here: actually Boxing Day hasn't been mentioned in any of the books thus far.) The origins of this holiday have been attributed to several practices, including the medieval tradition of churches opening their poor boxes and distributing the alms and the distribution of gifts to servants or employees."

To see other Christians' (and non-Christians') reviews of Harry Potter, please go to Talking Potter (Page Two)

For more Harry Potter reviews, see also Steven Greydanus' excellent essay "Magic, Middle-earth, Merlin, Muggles, and Meaning: A Christian Reading of Spells and the Supernatural in the Works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books."

Also, don't miss the section of Harry Potter's Wiccan origins - straight from the horse's mouth! - or rather, from the The Collector's Value Guide to Harry Potter Collectibles. A must buy!

Looking for an alternative to Harry Potter? Then also check out the Young Adult Pages, as well as the Fairy Tale Pages - Once Upon a Timers and Twice Upon a Time!

(c) 2000 - 2007
Updated 22 July, 2007
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No part of these pages may be used or copied without express permission of the author.