[HPforGrownups] NYTimes.com Article: An Improbable Sequel: Harry Potter and the Ivory Tower

[Jamieson Wolf Villeneuve]

No: HPFGUIDX 19324

Hello everybody, hope you're well....

Schlobin at aol.com wrote:

>
>
>  One of the big ideas this year was the persistence of medieval
> archetypes in popular culture. In addition to Harry Potter, the
> scholars discussed the Hobbit series of J. R. R. Tolkien, which is
> considered to have been modeled on themes from medieval literature,
> as well as the continuing resonance of medieval figures ranging
> from Merlin to Thomas Aquinas. There were a dozen papers about Joan
> of Arc, and half a dozen about that equally extraordinary woman,
> Hildegard von Bingen.

Interesting point on Merlin....I've always thought that Dumbledore reminded me of him. But in a modern way, I guess. What Dumbldore represents is the older style of wizard, while Harry and friends represent what would be todays moden
praticioner of Witchcraft. Imho, of course.

What I find so intoxicating about the world of Harry Potter is that there is a representation of everyone in it. Like it could acctually exist. But, along with the "reality" of Witchcraft, is the paralells of the old theme "If Witches
existed".

It's interesting to think about it, but I really hadn't read a nice portrayal of Witchcraft in a long time. Sure, there are the books by Dianne Wynne Jones (sp?), but even in there it's sort of a bad thing.

So along comes Harry Potter, and the world is once again thrown into the mythology of witches and wizards. But with one small catch: they're portrayed as normal people with normal lives, normal thoughts and emotions. It's like one big
Realistic Magical Myth, I suppose.

Anyway, just thought I'd state my opinion. At least I think theres one in there somewhere. sorry for the long post!

Hugs, ttfn,
Jamieson