I’ve read the Harry Potter series numerous times. Each and
every time I learn something new, make some connection I missed before, or just
see a character or event in a different way. I truly believe this is because I
grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione. As a kid, my mom read the first few books
to me. The magic and flying broomsticks fascinated me. I also saw the world,
muggle (real) and magical in far more black and white terms, as do Harry and
his friends. Magic is good, the muggle world for Harry, not good. It seemed
fairly simple.
As I grew up, so did Harry. He and I both started to realize
that the world is not so black and white. While there is great evil (Voldemort)
and great good (Dumbledore) there are also so many other characters that have
qualities in both categories. As I read the books now, it’s amazing to me how
different the experience is, and how much a little growing up changes my
participation in the novels.
Rowling certainly gives me a lot to think about as well. She
consistently introduces characters that are not what they seem, Quirrell,
Lockhart, and even Tom Riddle just to name a few. This doesn’t go away over the
course of the series and some previously introduced characters no longer appear
quite so one-dimensional. I think Rowling is very realistic—in life we meet
people who are not what they seem at first glance. Occasionally it takes us a
long time to figure out who they really are. Every time I open a Harry Potter
book, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, just like in life. She definitely
taught me to keep an open mind. Even when things seem as if the answer is tied
up in a nice bow for you, it’s probably not the right answer!
--Clare Joyce
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