Reading after Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone

I fell in love with Harry Potter when I was a ten-year-old girl,who was interested in all the mystical things.Harry Potter led me to a new world which was full of magic and love,that’s why I was eager to become 11 at that time so that I would know whether I was a witch.Then certainly,I’m not.

Reading Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone again in English made me feel more and learn more.The character that most impressed me was courage.

I admire little Harry’s courage to face the future.When he first got on the train to Hogwarts,he really did not know what was going to happen,and he knew little about the magic world,but he was not afraid at all.Instead,he ‘felt a great leap of excitement.He didn’t know what he was going to-but it had to be better than he was leaving behind.’Though Harry alway suffers a lot,he always has trust in the future.

Courage is important.Every line,every word of this book reminds us of the value of courage.I remember Ron encouraged Neville not to afraid of Malfoy.He said ,‘You've got to stand up to him,Neville!He's used to walking all over people,but that's no

reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier.’

Harry,Ron and Hermione were just first-year students in Hogwarts ,but in order to protect the Philosopher's Stone,they fought with their professor and finally they succeed.Courage makes people strong.

Albus Dumbledore once said to Harry that ,‘To ones as young as you,I'm sure it seems incredible,but to Nicolas and Perenelle,it really is like going to bed after a very very long day.After all,to the well-organized mind,death is but the next great adventure.’Professor Dumbledore taught me how to face death bravely.

Apart from courage,the book told me the importance of love.Voldemort is a very powerful wizard,but he was not able to kill Harry and he could not even touch Harry.Professor Dumbledore once explained this to Harry,‘If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand,it is love.He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark.Not a scar,no visible sign...to have been loved so deeply,even though the person who loved us is gone,will give us some protection forever.It is in your very skin.Quirrell,full of hatred,greed,and ambition,sharing his soul with Voldemort,could not touch you for this reason.It was agony to touch a person

marked by something so good.’The book made me realize that there is nothing that is more powerful than love.Love makes us strong.

What make Harry a great boy are many valuable characters,one of which is modesty.Because of his legendary experience,he is very celebrated and he has a lot of adorer,but Harry is never arrogant.On the contrary,he is very modest and hard-working.He never thinks himself a ‘famous person’.

In a way,Harry is just an ordinary boy.He laugh;he cry;he wants friends;he needs love.He is just like everyone among us,so sometimes reading his story is just like talking to myself.Meanwhile,he leads me to an amazing new world,which is full of adventures,magic and love.

第二篇：Harry Potter Is a Good Reading for Children

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Cai, Shaotian

Eng 101

Professor Geoppo

August19, 2011

Final Project

The “Harry Potter” Series Is a Suitable Reading for Children

“You?re a wizard, Harry,” said the huge half-giant Hagrid on a rest stormy night to the young Harry Potter (Rowling “Philosopher?s” 34). These words would live on in the minds of millions of children readers all over the world. For the last decade, fantasy fiction series “Harry Potter” by the British author J.K. Rowling has become one of the most welcomereadingsfor children. Since the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone came upon, the books have gained immense popularity worldwide. As of 2011, the “Harry Potter” series has sold about 450 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages, and the last four of all seven books consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history. The“Harry Potter” series is a children?s literature which narrates a magical world inside the ordinary world. The books tell the story about the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Wesley and Hermione Granger in the magical world. During their study in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, they, together with other wizards in the side of justice, have to fight the battle with the resurgent evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort, whose aim is to subjugate non-magical people, conquer the wizarding world, and destroy all those who stand in his way,

especially Harry Potter. There are multiple literary themes inside this legendary series, including love, friendship, choices, courage, adherence, dream, anddeath.

A children reading, like the “Harry Potter” series,often has strong influences on its children

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readers, especially the ones from eight years old to sixteen years old, who do not have settled values and minds yet. The reading will help them to form their attitudes toward life andthe ethical system.Generally agreed, if a reading is able to help children readers to form values which lead them to a better life, it is a suitable reading for children. For a religious family, the reading can be regarded suitable if it also does not mix up the children?s original belief. However, as measured by the American Library Association, ever since becoming popular, the “Harry Potter” series has also been among the most frequently challenged books (Ross).Though many people support the “Harry Potter” series, some people in this controversy think that those

booksareunsuitable for children to read. Those people frequently give the charges on the names ofimmoral plot, negative themes, and anti-Christian content. Above all, “Harry Potter” series is a not an unsuitable readingbut a suitablereading for children readers, because its plot does not mislead children to admire rule-breaking but teaches them the meaning of morals; itsthemes do notlead them to form negative attitudes but the positive ones; it will not confuse the Christian children but helps them to understand Christian ideas.

About the Plot with Rule-Breaking

First of all, some people judge the books are inappropriate children reading because the plot is immoral. Those protestors have argued that the “Harry Potter” series influence children to ignore and break the approved standards of behavior in society. They point out that the main character Harry and his friends are consistently and regularly “breaking all school rules on behaviors like going out at night, using magic in the Muggle [A person who lacks any sort of magical ability and is not born into the magical world]world, and so forth” (Cline). They also worried that the final success of each book always begins with a rule-breaking, and the characters will get rewarded at the end of each story. So, they worry that the frequent breaking of rules will mislead

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children to think that rules are not serious, and the good returns from each ending of the story will mislead children to believe that people can benefit from acting against the rules. They think that if children hold theses morals, they will not be accepted by the society. Thus, they should better get away from the “Harry Potter” series.

However, those worries are not necessarily right because although the young characters

often fail to follow the discipline, the rules are emphasized by authorities again and again in each single moment to remind children readers that discipline cannot be ignored. In the first day when Harry gets to school, the Hogwarts?s vice headmaster Mcgonagall states seriously that “Any rule-breaking will let your own house lose point” (Rowling “Philosopher?s” 70). After the sequences that Harry kills the monster basilisk to stop murders in school without first noticing his teachers, the headmaster Dumbedore repeats that “tonight you have broken about hundreds of school rules” (Rowling “Chamber” 195). These quotes directly show that the authorities in the books do emphasize the importance of discipline to children. Mcgonagall and Dumbedore?s words remind readers repeatedly that rules are not unserious things which can be ignored but must be considered at the very beginning; they also must be judged no matter what reasonable cause is. Therefore, although many rules are broke in the books, children will keep in mind that the rules are important. Moreover, children will not think that breaking rules will directly benefit them because every rule-breaking in the books get direct punishment. Going out at night causes Harry to get confinement; using magic in Muggle world makes he tried in a hearing by the Ministry of Magic. Other rule-breaking, such as being naughty in class and conflicting with teachers, all cause him to be punished badly.These examples directly show that breaking rules is not a way to get a direct benefit. From Harry?s experience, children readers will learn that

correspondingpunishments are the immediate results caused by acting against discipline, even no

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matter what motivation the rule-breaker has;the final reward for the rule-breaker in each ending of the story is given for their success and accomplishment such as killing the monster Basilisk, but not for their rule-breaking such as not noticing the teachers. Thus, the charge on the name of the immoral plot is not acceptable, because the “Harry Potter” series remains children that rules are serious, and any rule-breaking will receive punishment.

Actually, one reason why “Harry Potter” series is a suitable reading for children is that the plot with rule-breakingdoes help children to understand morals instead of misleading them. From Harry?s behaviors, children readers can learn that what realethical actions are. They will understand that legal does not always equal to moral, which may benefit them in their future. According to the definition, an action can be regarded as an moral one only if “in that particular situation”, the results of choosing that action will “increase the whole situation?s overall good or advantage”, or they will“curtail the value of loss” (Rachels 126). This means that if one?s action gains more benefits than it costs, it is a proper one to be taken. In “Harry Potter” series, children readers will find that the actions Harry takes, including rule-breaking, are based on the critical thinking of morals. For example, the monster basilisk escaping from the school?s chamber of secrets wants to murder the Muggle-born students and lets Lord Voldemort get revived. Harry thenfinds the entry of the chamber of secrets, but the situation at that time does not allow him to inform his finding to his teachers. Therefore, without first noticing them, he gets into the

chamber, kills the basilisk, and stops the revival of the Lord Voldemort. This example directly shows that Harry does follow the ideas of morals. Harry has two choices in front him to be

chosen at that time. One is to inform teachers first and come with them together; the other one is to entry the chamber on his own. The first choice ensures that Harry will not be punished for the rule-breaking [at that time, students should go back to their house and follow the teachers], but it

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will cause the further murder and the possible revival of the Lord Voldemort, which may cause more than one person?s death; the second choice will probably avoid many people?s deaths but may cost the punishment for rule-breaking on him. In Harry?s mind, the lives of many people are more important than avoiding punishments, so he chooses the second choice. His behavior is therefore,more moral because he increases the whole situation?s overall good and advantage by saving more people?s lives at the cost of getting rule-breaking punishment to himself. The similar situations can be found through the whole novel. Children readers then may understand better that following moral sometimes is more important than following rulesrigidly. They will learn from Harry that sometimes just following the rules is not moral at all if it decreases the overall advantage. It will let children readersbe not restricted in life by some less important rules when they grow up if breaking them is a more moral thing to do. Therefore, the plot which teaches the meaning of morals to its readers becomes one reason that why the “Harry Potter” series is a suitable reading for children.

About the LiteraryThemes

Besides the charges of the plot, some people also think that “Harry Potter” series is not a suitable reading for children because it expresses too many passive themes by narrating the evil events. They think that these ideas in the books are enough to leadchildren readers to bring negative attitudes toward life, which restrict their development. One of the supporters of this viewpoint,XirenHua,uses an example from the forth book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In that book, the teacher Moody ofDefenceagainst Dark Arts who is trusted by Harryis actually not Moody himself. That one is the Death Eater [Lord Voldemort?s follower] Crouch who

catches Moody and transforms into him to approach Harry and gets his trust in order to let Lord Vorldemort kill him and get relived (Rowling “Goblet”). In Hua?s opinion, this event “tells you

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that you cannot believe in what you saw and cannot trust people” because “they aren?t what they appear to be.” She thinks that this theme is appeared passive because it leads children readers to be afraid to believe in and corporate with people, which may cause them to be self-enclosed.

However, Hua?s point is not accurate and logical. In her argument, she tries to uses single person?s example to represent the whole group of human?s behavior but forgets to consider that how many people are as same as that single one. This illogical reasoning makes her statement exaggerated. Actually, if children readers look back to that book, it can be found that there are few people who behavior asCrouch does. Crouch is not worth being trusted because the

motivation why he offers Harry helps in Triwizard Tournament [a magical tournament among three schools of witchcraft] is to let the Lord Vordemort get Harry at the end of the match.

However, there are seven other characters who also offer Harry helps in that tournament. Harry?s friends Ron,Hermione, Hagird,Neville, and Cedric help him to solve the puzzle before every challenge, which is only for offering him more chances to win the game. Harry?s teachers Dumbledore, Mcgonagall, and Snape monitor Harry?s actions in shadow, which is only for ensuring Harry?s safety. Therefore, in those events, eight people are what they appeared to be, and what they are saying and doing can be trusted because no other evil motivations are behind; there is only one person who does the opposite and cannot be trusted. Thus, Hua?s point is

exaggerated because the example she uses is not universal but special. It is accurate if the theme is changed as “Small amounts of people are not what they appeared.” In that case, the theme becomes positive because it tells children readers that most people can be trusted, so children are more willing to corporate with others. In addition, it is also a valuable warning to children that though most people are good, sometime they should rethink some behaviors from some people in order to protect themselves. Anyway, the charge from Hua on the theme of the “Harry

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Potter”series does not make sense. The story Hua uses actually expresses a positive literary theme which may benefit children in their future.

Actually, more than one positive literary theme to help children to form healthy attitudes can be found in the “Harry Potter” series, which make these books more suitable for children to read. Exceptthe themewhichleads children readers to trust most of the people, there is anotheridea which encourageschildrento be brave. When Harry is fighting with the basilisk in the chamber of secrets, though he hurts badly, he is still not afraid of his strong enemy. Finally, he pulls out the sword of Gryffindor and kills the basilisk. Harry is informed later that the sword of Gryffindor only can bepulled out by the man who is brave enough (Rowling “Chamber” 181-193).

Gryffindor?s sword is a symbol of bravery, and it is the sword helps Harry to kill the basilisk. It directly shows that the bookstell the children readers the idea that bravery is a strong weapon to fight against barriers. Children are always afraid of solving problems and taking challenges. However, one of the themes from the“Harry Potter” series will help children to have the attitude of ignoring the fear and trying toreach their deep potential in their lives, which definitely reduce their problems through their growing. Therefore, the positive themesexisted in the “Harry Potter” series which make children have positive attitudes toward life makes this series more suitable for children to read.

About the Content of Christianity

Many critics will still argue that even the seriesissuitable for some children to read, they may not besuitable for all kinds of children readers because “Harry Potter” series has conflicts with the biggest religion in human society—Christianity.Those Christians have worried that the positive narration of witches in “Harry Potter” series will confuse Christian children readers; then mix up their original life. According to the head teacher Rockwood in the St. Mary?s Island

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Church School, “The Bible is very clear and consistent in its teachings that a witch whopractices witchcraft is an abomination to the Lord” and“all witches are evil,according to Scripture.”He fears that the good appearance of witchcraft users in “Harry Potter” series “will lead Christian children readers not to take the threat of evil witches seriously” and “gradually get away from God” (Ross).Therefore, the “Harry Potter” series should be banned reading for Christian children.

However, Rockwood?s statement is sloppy because he has forgotten to distinguish the

differences between the witches in Christian Scripture and the ones in “Harry Potter” series. Actually, the term “witch” has at least 17 different unrelated meanings. The witches in “Harry Potter” series are innocent because they are distinct from theonesin Christian references.These twowitches have different religions, and they also have different intentions of using magic.

Bible?s witches refer to the witchcraft users who refuse tofollow God?s will but Satan?s, and who use magic for evil reasons. “Witches appeared in Christian Scripture are worshipers of Satan, who are believed to use black magic to harm and bewitch others by involving the aid of Satan and his demons;”they “follow Satan and curse Jesus” (“Glossary”).This directly shows that the Bible?s witches are those people whohate and fight against God and use magic to deprive others? advantages. In contrast, witches in “Harry Potter” series are the witchcraft users who believe in God, andtheir witchcrafts are mostly used in making daily life convenient. In the series, the skeleton of Lord Voldemort?s father is narrated as buried under a cross which represents God. Harry and his friend celebrate the Christmas Day in order to praise for the birth of Jesus. Moreover, Harry has a godfather who responses for ensuring him to get the education of the

Christianity. In addition, nearly 70% of spells Harry learns are daily-use magics such as “Lumos” for calling light and “Reparo” for repairing things. These facts directly show that witches in “Harry Potter” series are the followers of God, and, unlike the previouswitches, witches in the

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“Harry Potter” series use magic to help themselves and others in daily life. Based on the contrast, it is easy to find that witches in Christianity and in the “Harry Potter” series are indeed belonging to two different creatures. Harry and his friends? behaviors then will not mislead the Christian children readers because they do not process the evilness as the other type of witch does. Thus, the reason from Rockwood and his follower that the “Harry Potter” series is unsuitable for Christian children are incorrect.

Actually, if people stand in Christian point of view, they will even find that this series is suitable for Christian children?s religion needsbecause there are Christianity-related contents in this series. Christian children readers may find that many themes from the plot help them to

understand some Christian ideas. For example, when Harry Potter first gets to Hogwarts, the Sort Hat [a magical hat which determines the students what house they should be sorted in] informs Harry that he has talent and will have a bright future if he is sorted into Slytherin [a house which has an essential focus on power getting]. However, when Harry knows that the Lord Voldemort comes from the Slytherin, he consistentlyrefuses to go to there. Therefore, he is sorted into

Gryffindor (Rowling “Philosopher?s” 74). Harry?s persistence eventuallyhelps him to change his fate. This part of content can be stated as that the finally result of an event is determined by one?s choice but not another?s will. However, if Christian children readers rethink this theme, it is easily recognize that it is also related to a Christian idea that God gives people free will.

According to Christian point or view, God offers people freedom to decide their final action. In that situation, Harry is free to choose whether he is sorted into Slytherin or Gryffindo, and the Sorting Hat will not change Harry?s will. This example directly shows that some “Harry

Potter”series?context will help Christian children to understand the ideas inChristianity. Actually, there are “about ten to eleven important parts of content can be regarded as Christianity-related

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in each book” in order for the Christian children to learn the Christian lessons (Burkart). For the Christian children, they need to understand the Christian ideas in order to have a comfortable life. Less confusion they have about those ideas, happier they will be. Therefore, from the Christian considerations, the “Harry Potter” series is a suitable book for children to read because there are religious ideas inside the series which will benefit them.

Conclusion

Consequently, the“Harry Potter” series is a not an unsuitable reading but a suitable reading for children readers, because its plot does not mislead children to admire rule-breaking but teaches them the meaning of morals; its themes do not lead them to form negative attitudes but the positive ones; it will not confuse the Christian children but helps them to understand Christian ideas. By knowing that the “Harry Potter” series is a suitable reading for children

readers, parents can disburden their worries and let their children to enjoy this worldwide famous magical fiction. Reading the “Harry Potter” series is a good way to let children avoid wasting time in front of television, videogames, and Internet which may do not benefit children?s value development. However, if more children are allowed to read the “Harry Potter”series, more

children will have the positive attitudes and moral system, which no doubt will benefit the future of society.

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Hua, Xiren. “A Magic World with Bramble.” Mtime.com. Mtime.com, Aug 26. 2007. Web. 16

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