[HPforGrownups] Oz, Narnia and JKR (was Guide to children's literature and HP)

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 22827

> I've read quite often (here in the States) that adults are dismayed
> by JKR's unflinching approach to the tragedies of real life, and
> whine that she needs to tone it down. My question for this group
> is:
> Is this a uniquely American phenomenon? Are adults in the UK and
> other parts of the world also clamoring for less violence in the 
> HP series, or is it only Americans who want to wrap their children 
> in a romanticized version of childhood that even the kids
> themselves scoff at?

If I were a parent I would be more worried about the cartoon (and
cartoonish) violence that children watch on television where there is
little blood and lots of "pow" and "zap".  I can always pick out the
kids in shopping malls who are addicted to Saturday morning
super-hero shows by the hyperactive way they run around making
fighting sound effects and kicking out at things.  

Why would parents complain about JKR and ignore other venues?  JKR's
presentations are realistic and credible to children.  They look at
Voldemort and see him for what he is: a bully.  My friend's child
tells me with great seriousness that there's a kid in his class who's
just like Voldemort because he picks on smaller kids.  In that
respect, Cedric's murder is truly terrifying.

There is indeed an American attitude to violence that is different
from other countries but since I have never seen a discussion on this
topic that didn't turn into World War Three, I don't know if it's
worthwhile to pursue it.

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