As a parent and writer I have followed the diverse reactions to the Harry Potter books with considerable interest. There are people who applaud the efforts of author J.K. Rowling while others cry foul believing she is exposing children to a darker realm. I was shocked when a police force in Penryn, PA boycotted directing traffic at a YMCA triathlon parade. Their reason? They felt the YMCA promoted witchcraft by reading Harry Potter books to children.
While the controversy surrounding Harry Potter weakened over time it has been renewed now with the release of the movie, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, on VHS and DVD.
Being a parent I too became concerned about Harry Potter when initial reports of witchcraft, sorcery, and the occult started hitting the media. At that time several of my children had already read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. What had I done? Here I was trying to monitor movies my kids watched and music they listened to. I wondered what my ignorance had allowed to slip by disguised as a children’s book. I felt sick. Was I losing my edge as a parent? To make matters worse my children loved the Harry Potter books. I needed to know more about the dangers my children faced so I did the only responsible thing left to do. I read the books.
Admittedly I was apprehensive. I did not know what evil was lurking within each page. I didn’t know what mystical powers my children had discerned from reading Harry Potter. Suppose the next time I scold them about keeping their room clean I wake up the next morning as a toad? What if they have found a Wizards and Witches Internet site and ordered their own invisible cloak? They could be standing behind me, oblivious to me, muttering curses under their breath as I type this.
As I read Harry Potter the more I realized this was not a roadmap to evil but a wonderful children’s book. The story is one that has been repeated in children’s literature for generations. In simple it is a story of good versus evil. Harry Potter books are fantasies that effortlessly unfold giving children incentive to read and use their imagination. Yes there are witches, wizards, warlocks and plain old Muggle folks like myself. Yes Harry can fly on a broomstick and there are lots of potions and spells. Big deal. The basic premise of the story is good versus evil not unlike thousands of children’s books. If all children’s stories based on fantasy were examined I’m sure there would always be someone who would find a reason to condemn them. What would become of classics like Mary Poppins, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and so on?
I thought Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was terrific. The other books in the series are equally entertaining. While many kids pass on reading to watch television or play video games the adventures of Harry Potter makes them want to read. Some time has passed since my children read the Harry Potter books. Not one of them has asked for a witchcraft starter set or a magic wand. There aren’t any bat wings or eyes of newt in our refrigerator. Judging the Harry Potter books without reading them is like voting for a politician you’ve never heard of. I wonder how many of the police officers on the force in Penryn, PA have actually read a Harry Potter book? It’s responsible and expected of parents to question the things that influence our children’s minds. That’s our job. If you have questions about Harry Potter I suggest you decide for yourself. How? It’s simple really. Just read.
Mike Gowen
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