[HPforGrownups] Re: Will HP become classic?

[Hana]

No: HPFGUIDX 38100

 abigailnus said:

>I think you're actually asking two questions: Are the Harry Potter >books classics? And, Will children still be reading Harry Potter 20 >or 30 years from now?

In terms of the books being read in 20 or 30 years -- I'd have to say that it's a very strong possibility. I know that if I ever have children, I'll read it to them or encourage them to read it (the same goes for any adults or cousins etc that I can convince :))  As a teacher, I'm going to read it/promote reading it/teach it as often as I can, and being near the start of a 30 year career, that's a lot of children who will be exposed to Harry Potter.  The first book is actually one of the course books in my current school to be taught as part of the curriculum. (I'm currently teaching PS to my grade nines :))

I also believe it will still be read, simply because children who hate reading will read this series, especially boys who, on average, dislike reading more than girls do.  This will keep the book popular for years.

abigailnus said:

>The first question is all but impossible to answer, if for no other >reason than for the fact that I can't begin to define what a classic >is.

In terms of it being a classic, I think it depends on the context to some extent.  There is a university in western Canada (the University of Calgary I think, but I don't really remember) that is offering an honours course about the Harry Potter phenomena.  The series isn't even finished yet and people are studying the effects of the book on the general population, especially children.

Now the problem, as I see it, is does popularity and readibility make the series a classic in the way that the Narnia books are classic?  I'm not sure.  The Narnia books are considered classics not only because of their popularity, but because of the high quality and consistency of the writing -- they get placed into the vague category of "literature".  

Harry Potter will definately have to be involved in any serious Children's Literature category simply because of it's impact on the genre.  This is the way I think it will most likely be remembered. In terms of becoming "classic literature", the problem I see is that, as pointed out in many discussions in this list and others, there are quite a few inconsistencies in the intricate details.  "Literature" has a tenancy to be the best, most solid writing in the genre, and (don't kill me) this series, as much as I love it, has its flaws. It definately fits into the "popular fiction" category, but "classic literature?" it's hard to say.

Will the flaws in the series stop it from being labeled a classic, or simply make it a more interesting study for university students?  We'll have to wait and see.  I honestly think that no, it will not stop this series from being a classic -- it is too important in terms of its effect on at least one generation of children (and adults judging by lists like this one) to be forgotten.  Any survey of 20th Century Children's literature would be insane to ignore the effects that Harry Potter has had on much of the world, and that is one of the ways of making a classic.  

Regardless of the technical terminology, I think that Harry Potter will be affecting children for many, many years to come.

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--Hana




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