by J.K. (Joanne) Rowling
(7/7/2001)
Laurie Gill
Poor Harry Potter! It seems that his aunt and uncle, the awful Dursleys, are not the only ones who find his wizarding ways unspeakable and hold this shy, surprisingly normal, hero as unfit company for their own darling offspring. Respectable, family-oriented, and Christian folks everywhere are condemning Harry as immoral, amoral, Satanic and/or highly dangerous to faith and morals. Their critiques may or may not be based on an actual reading of any of the four already published books in this seven-book series. It's hard to tell, since much of the criticism is laced with assertions I can't find supported anywhere in the texts.
Here then, is a dissenting voice. I am a Christian mother quite captivated with Harry. You might even say I am under the spell of this publishing phenomenon. My children love him, too, and our family readings of the Harry Potter series have been the springboards for marvelous teaching moments and discussions about courage, loyalty, justice, honesty, fairness, and sacrificial love, to name just a few of the Really Big Themes in Harry Potter. We have also talked a lot about literary criticism, since my children have also been mystified by some of the accusations they have read against poor Harry.
I don't want this essay to be a defense of Harry Potter against his critics. Rather, I would like to make some positive observations about the series, in hopes of shedding light on possible Christian readings of these books. However, I feel it necessary to say from the outset that those families who object to reading fantasy are perfectly correct to reject old Harry. No doubt about it, this book is a fantasy, all about an unreal world that we are made to believe (to wish and dream) really, truly does co-exist with our own, right underneath our noses, but concealed through the clever efforts of the magical. I find this idea captivating, and containing more than a grain of truth. But those whose reading of the Scriptures or whose educational philosophies lead them to steer clear of all magic are very right to leave Harry on the shelf (or locked in the cupboard under the stairs). It is rather those who condemn Potter while defending Narnia, Oz, and the fairy tales and folk stories of a thousand cultures who I would like to challenge to a different reading of Harry Potter.
My favorite thing about young Potter, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is his habit of laying down his life for his friends. In each of the four books, he has courageously put his very mortal existence on the line in defense of his friends and in the battle with evil. In book four, he even risks himself for the sake of his rivals; one might say his "enemies." St. Paul writes, in Romans, chapter 5: "While we were yet helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. Why one will hardly die for a righteous man-though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Harry's behavior in these instances is, indeed, Christlike.
How does Harry get the courage and the grace to do what is so very unlikely? Does he bargain his soul to the devil? Conjure up superhuman powers that enable him to face the unspeakable dangers of darkness? Not at all. In book four, we learn that a large measure of Harry's extraordinary qualities come to him not through his own merit, but rather from the sacrifice his mother made, when her love for him led her to die protecting him. That is another image of the Christian life, where we can do nothing on our own. But through the strength and power and grace of the One who gave His life for us, we can accomplish mighty deeds.
Likewise, in tight spots, Harry shows himself full of grace under pressure, and it is these acts of love that further strengthen him. In the third book, Harry is facing down his nemesis under what appear to be dire circumstances. But when he shows his loyalty to the headmaster, Dumbledore, he is granted the aid of Dumbledore's trusted pet phoenix.
Much has been made of Harry's problem with truth. But it is really a problem with trust. Orphaned and raised by abusive relative, it is not hard to imagine why Harry doesn't run to his elders with his problems. The kindest comments his relatives made in response to young Harry were, "Don't ask questions!" Harry's lying is not a very effective strategy; it frequently lands him in more trouble than ever, and it is a big relief when he finally learns to discern what circumstances require adult assistance. Among the most understated yet powerful elements in the fourth book are the several times that Harry goes directly to adults for help. First, he writes to his godfather when he has a bad dream. Later, he goes to the headmaster when he has another, similar nightmare. The author does not make a big production of the change in Harry's modus operandi, but following the young wizard's thoughts as he wonders where he can turn, readers are so happy for him that, at last, he has adults, as well as peers, he can trust.
The plots and subplots also make for inspiring as well as entertaining reading. The fourth book is about a competition with three tasks that is reminiscent of the questing literature associated with the Round Table. In each of the tasks, Harry sacrifices his advantage to fair play and safety. And he performs in this noble manner so naturally that readers, too, are led to take this sort of behavior as natural.
The books feature all kinds of scary creatures, like werewolves, dragons, serpents and giants. But far from portraying these traditionally evil characters as benign, the author of the Harry Potter books maintains their traditional association with evil. And yet she also introduces the very important concept of redemption, forgiveness and the second chance. The werewolf who is also a professor explains that, bitten as a child, he despaired of ever receiving proper training as a wizard, since no parents would want their children going to school with a werewolf. Taking pity on him in his unfortunate condition, the headmaster of Hogwarts takes measures to secure the other students against his monthly rampage, while allowing the boy to have the education he needs. Likewise, the half-giant, who would be rejected by the entire wizarding world because of his dangerous heritage, is taken in by the headmaster. Dumbledore's belief in his charges helps them to reach their potential and triumph over their unfortunate backgrounds. One of the school teachers, too, is a reformed evil-doer, and Dumbledore is his advocate with all those who cannot forgive his past.
In the fourth book, the plot turns on the actions of the son of a law enforcement wizard who takes a wrong turn. The father's implacable judgment and the mother's foolish mercy in combination result in disaster. This is in contrast to Harry's own legacy from the loving parents he scarcely knew. Their continuing influences on their son and his search for a connection with them are truly poignant. I believe it is these themes more than any others that will assure Harry Potter a lasting place in children's literature.
By the fourth book, it becomes clear that the series is carefully plotted. Details from the early books that seemed irrelevant are suddenly found to play an important role in a completely new context. I look forward to seeing what is coming next.
Are there things I would change about the book? Well, occasionally I wince at some of the smart-aleck or slightly off-color dialogue. I hope and pray that the shy advances toward the opposite sex that we see in book four remain on such a demure level. But on the whole, Harry's world is a moral universe that provides much that is worthy for the Christian imagination.
One of the ideas we strive to teach our children is that their happiness will come only when they learn the art of self-giving. By losing our lives, we will find them, Christ told us. This is a great theme in literature. I call it the "love sacrifice" and I tell my children to always be on the look-out for it. Harry Potter has it, in spades, and I am just as pleased as I can be that my children can recognize it there.
In the final analysis, for our family, it boils down to a question of how we will relate to the culture. Will we withdraw and condemn? Or will we strive to engage and transform it? The latter, I believe, is what our call as Christians entails. This means that we learn to see Christian themes and nobility wherever they can be found. And they can be found in Harry Potter. I highly recommend these books for families with older children.
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