A reply to the essay "Harry Potter-Worthwhile reading??"

[morsethanatos]

No: HPFGUIDX 33732

Upon reading the essay I must say I am greatly infuriated by the 
commentary that has been presented. The author not only attempt to 
demonize the books but misrepresents parts of the text, takes lines 
out of contexts and argues using a world view that is not just naive 
but silly for a mature adult. 
The author's first assertion is that breaking rules is glorified, but 
interestingly only for the special cases. The author however fails to 
think about the motivations of the actions and their results. So 
saving human life, even if some rules are broken is forbidden. This 
is a gross failure, or a purposeful attempt, to ignore the fact that 
the world is not black and white, but far more complex. People do not 
just do things but do them for a reason. In the case of Harry and 
gang the motivations are positive and they usually get away. In the 
case of Malfoy the intent is of pure malice and he gets punished. The 
author attempts to zero in on specific and simply ignores(on purpose 
I assume) the greater message that is being delivered. 
Apparently the author would have wanted Harry to give Voldemort the 
stone so that the whole world could be destroyed. But for that matter 
I wonder how many humans out there can say they have never uttered a 
lie. There is not one.  The comparison of Harry's lie to Dumbledoe's 
refusal is simply invalid as the circumstances are quite different. 
But again the author fails to see this. 
The point about adult authority is in my opinion simply ridiculous. 
The line by Fred is simply a joke, which everyone is aware of. The 
comment generalizing Hogwarts teachers is simply false.  The problem 
here is that the author forgets that the books are trying to deliver 
the viewpoint of children to us and at that age many of us found 
adults hindrances since they always were trying to prevent us from 
making mayhem. And the mention of the library notes is simply 
irrelevant since it can be quite easily inferred that this is a joke. 
The final paragraph addressing Rowling's world view is a gross 
generalization formed from the false inferences that the author has 
presented. 
Going to the treatment of the world views of Lewis and Tolkien I must 
address only Tolkien as I have not read the Narina books. 
Here the author glorifies the black and white view of the world and 
claims that in Rowling's books good an evil are not distinct. Again 
simply false. What is unique about Rowling's works is that they do 
not present the "evil does this", "good does this" picture. The 
author simply chooses to ignore the fact that things are far more 
complex than that. As for the example that in the mist of battle 
there is order. This is laughable, a review of WWII or Vietnam can 
quite clearly show that. 
As for the rewards of good and evil, I can refer the author to the 
rest of the Potter series, though no doubt it would be twisted and 
demonized as well. 
In the final paragraph the author applauds the two authors for their 
clear lines of good and evil and support of order. But Tolkien wrote 
something like an epic, not a realistic portrayal of world. I state 
again, the author does not seem to realize that in reality right and 
wrong are much more blurred and the world far from being ordered.
Then the essay turns to the character development. It seems that the 
author holds the view that children should live with abusive parents
(in this case foster) and like them for it. An interesting view I 
must say.  The last paragraph addresses giving the books to children. 
Firstly, I have serious reservations about anyone under the age of 
ten or even older reading these books. Secondly the books that the 
author applauds are merely fairy tales that give a false view of the 
world. Rowling on the other hand tries to be a bit more realistic. I 
have no children and am myself not much out of being a child(and 
still act like one a lot), but I would think that is it wiser to 
prepare children for the real world rather and bringing them up 
ignorant and naive, in which case they will themselves learn and it 
will be far less pleasant. 
I will not address the grammar issues since I am far from qualified 
in that area. I must say however that the submission to the English 
language is ludicrous. One example that pops up is Shakespeare, 
apparently he is a bad writer. 
Rowling writes with a modern, light style that is easy to read. Some 
call this bad writing, they have the right to their opinions. 
In closing, and to vent my anger completely I must say that this 
piece that has been presented to us utter garbage, though those who 
have not read the books might find it quite convincing.  I also 
apologize if most of what I wrote makes no sense what's so ever, it 
is quite late and I am tired. 

Morsethanatos.