HP as escapist children's literature (was Harry's DADA skill)
Jerri/Dan Chase
danjerri at madisoncounty.net
Tue Apr 29 14:57:19 UTC 2008
No: HPFGUIDX 182718
Julie said:
>I think you hit the nail on the head, Carol. The story JKR wanted
>to tell was the story of Harry the boy hero and his two friends
>who save the world pretty much all by themselves.
. . . SNIP . . .
>I think it was our expectations that betrayed us, in part probably
>because most of us are mature adults (er, chronologically-speaking
>at least ;-) and we found many of the secondary characters as
>interesting (myself) or in some cases *more* interesting than the
>main protagonist and his two young friends.
. . . SNIP . . .
>I think also that JKR really WAS writing a children's story.
. . . SNIP . . .
>I don't call the Harry Potter series "escapist children's
>literature" as an insult (and I'm not debating its merits
>in comparison to other escapist children's literature). I
>just think that is what it turned out to be, despite some
>impressions midstream that led me to see more potential
>psychological and emotional depth than was actually delivered.
>And I would rather view the series as what it is than keep
>trying to invest all manner of deep meaning (and/or intent)
>where it doesn't (IMO) exist.
My question (to Julie or to anyone who can help) is how do you get
yourself to do this? Ever since DH, when I found my expectations of
the HP series as a whole were destroyed, I have been trying to regain
my delight in the HP series as the children's story which I have
decided it actually was. I have been struggling with this. I miss my
delight and enthusiasm.
And yet, I read lots of "escapist children's stories" or perhaps I
will call them "fantasy stories intended for children", including but
not limited to works by the following authors: E. Nesbit, Edward
Eager, Roald Dahl, Pauline Clarke, Eoin Colfer, Lloyd Alexander, Angie
Sage, Tamora Pierce, Eva Ibbotson, Hillari Bell, Eleanor Cameron, and
Hugh Lofting. Prior to my reading of DH, I found a delight in the HP
series that surpassed any and all of the above. I have been
struggling to regain my delight, trying to understand the series as a
children's series. Every time I try to re-evaluate the series without
"deep meaning (and/or intent)" I keep coming across areas that seem to
have been intentionally filled with "deep meaning", foreshadowing,
parallels with classic literature, etc.
It seems to me that JKR had some areas in which she did think things
through, plan things, intend to have deep meanings, etc. But lots of
other areas she just did what seemed like a good idea at the time.
And I can't get the two areas sorted out in my mind.
Jerri, struggling to remain a HP fan, or did I waste several years of
my life?
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