Wednesday, January 23, 2013

University of Hogwarts #1


How do my past experiences alter the way I perceive and read the Harry Potter series?  I broke this up into two sections, when I read the books originally, and now that I am re-reading them for the first time.  As a child I read the stories and saw myself growing up as the characters did.  I understood the physical and emotional changes that they were going through because at the time I was as well.  I saw myself reflected most by Harry, not to sound arrogant, because we shared many common traits.  Like Harry I am an only child, I understood the loneliness it can put into your life.  I also know how friends can seem to become family even though you may not be related by blood. 
As a child I related with the story of growing up.  Now as an adult in college I have made ties to the story in different ways.  I relate with the feeling of excitement that goes along with going away to college.  Leaving your parents behind and finding a place of your own is extremely exhilarating.  Another connection that I feel I have made is with the idea of dark magic and the temptations of college.  Magic can be used for good but you can become lost in it and turn out bad; similar to the temptations of drugs and alcohol that are very present in college life.  You can learn to use magic in a good way just as you can enjoy alcohol in moderation.  Yet we see magic overcome certain people and turn them into something they aren’t.  It goes the same with the possibility of alcoholism or drug abuse in college.  This is how some of my experiences have shaped how I read the series over again as an adult.  - Will Brundrett

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