The Wisdom of Harry Potter: What Our Favorite Hero Teaches Us about Moral ChoicesSince the 1997 release of J. K. Rowling's first novel - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - no series of children's books has been more incredibly popular or widely influential. How do we explain the enormous appeal of these stories to children? Should parents welcome this new interest in reading among their kids or worry, along with the critics, that the books encourage either moral complacency or a perverse interest in witchcraft and the occult? In this original interpretation of the Harry Potter sensation, Edmund M. Kern argues that the attraction of these stories to children comes not only from the fantastical elements embedded in the plots, but also from their underlying moral messages. Children genuinely desire to follow Harry, as he confronts a host of challenges in an uncertain world, because of his desire to do the right thing. Harry's coherent yet flexible approach to dealing with evil reflects an updated form of Stoicism, says Kern. He argues that Rowling's great accomplishment in these books is to have combined imaginative fun and moral seriousness. Kern's comprehensive evaluation of the Harry Potter stories in terms of ethical questions reveals the importance of uncertainty and ambiguity in Rowling's imaginative world and highlights her call to meet them with typically Stoic virtues: constancy, endurance, perseverance, self-discipline, reason, solidarity, empathy, and sacrifice. Children comprehend that growing up entails some perplexity and pain, that they cannot entirely avoid problems, and that they can remain constant in circumstances beyond their control. In essence, Harry shows them how to work through their problems, rather than seek ways around them. Despite the fantastical settings and events of Harry's adventures, children are quick to realize that they are just a weird reflection of the confusing and disturbing circumstances found in the real world. Kern also shows adults how much they can gain by discussing with children the moral conundrums faced by Harry and other characters. The author outlines the central morals of each book, explains the Stoic principles found in the stories, considers the common critiques of the books, discusses Rowling's skillful blend of history, legend, and myth, and provides important questions for guiding children through Harry's adventures. This fresh, instructive, and upbeat guide to Harry Potter will give parents many useful and educational suggestions for discussing the moral implications of this continuously popular series of books with their children. Note: This book is not authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by J. K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any other individual or entity associated with the Harry Potter books or movies. Harry Potter is a registered trademark of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |
What people are saying - Write a review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - 06nwingert - LibraryThingEdmund Kern takes the moral aspects of Harry Potter, including love, loyality, friendship, standing up to your enemies, etc. and analyzes them in the real-world/business-world context. He hilights how ... Read full review
The Wisdom of Harry Potter: What Our Favorite Hero Teaches Us About Moral Choices
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictThe popularity of the Harry Potter series has created an abundance of both acclaim and criticism. While many argue that the books encourage moral complacency or interest in the occult, Kern (history ... Read full review
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 11 |
PLOT THREADS AND MORAL FIBERS | 45 |
GREED CONVENTIONALITY DEMONIC THREAT | 129 |
Copyright | |
5 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
The Wisdom of Harry Potter: What Our Favorite Hero Teaches Us about Moral ... Edmund M. Kern No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
Abanes adults alchemy ambiguity assess C. S. Lewis Cedric Chamber of Secrets chapter characters children's literature Christian claims context cultural death dementors demonic depictions despite Diagon Alley display Dobby Dumbledore Dumbledore's Dursleys Eccleshare emotions empathy ethical evil fantasy fate fiction Flamel Goblet of Fire Gryffindor Hagrid Harry Potter Harry Potter books Harry Potter Novels Harry Potter's World Harry's adventures Harry's stories Hermione hero historical Hogwarts Hogwarts Express house-elf human Ibid imaginative important kids Kohlberg's literary myth Little Whinging Lupin Malfoy McGonagall Ministry of Magic moral system Muggles Nicolas Flamel Nonetheless Nussbaum occult offer parents Pettigrew phoenix portrayal problems Quidditch readers reading reason religious critics Rowling Rowling's Rowling's series Sirius Slytherin Snape Sorcerer's Stone Sorting Hat Stoic Stoicism suggest symbols themes things tion Tolkien Tower and Harry Triwizard Tournament ultimately understanding values virtue Voldemort wand Weasley witchcraft witches wizarding York