An Encomium to the Harry Potter Series

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good: An Encomium to the Harry Potter Series (by J.K. Rowling)

Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived. Seven books in all, each a Horcrux of mine. How can these books, made of pages, made of paragraphs, made of words strung together so exquisitely, engulf my life? Because those books, made of pages, made of paragraphs, made of words strung together so exquisitely are just as magical as the story itself. As the books grow wider and wider, my passion grows deeper and deeper. Each year, I devote my summer to rereading the series to strengthen my bond with the books.

Harry Potter is the champion of children’s literature. Before its publication, television reigned supreme and children’s literature wasn’t selling because it wasn’t cool. A couple hundred copies ran, those copies exchanged hands, and all of a sudden, the idolization for the boy who lived began. It became more than a children’s series. Before bed, parents read the magical stories to their children who were suddenly not so tired anymore. Reading the stories aloud, parents fell just as far down into the trenches of love as their children. Did Rowling put a spell on the world? Not intentionally. Harry’s struggles could be our struggles. Behind the curtain of magical fantasy is a world that’s not unlike our own.

Our world is as dark as Harry’s at times. But, Harry Potter has brought happiness to his world and our own. In Harry’s name, the Harry Potter Alliance is a charity whose mission is to fight against the Dark Arts of the real world. They’re committed to social justice causes and have helped heal the world as Harry does in the books. Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the films, recovered from anorexia after writing to Rowling that the books gave her hope. Others have faced cancer and lost the battle, but acknowledged that Harry was by their side, helping them enjoy their short lives and even come to terms with death, just as Harry does.

Potterheads are better people. No, that’s not pretentious. Recent studies have shown that fans of Harry Potter are more accepting of stigmatized groups and of people with differences. We are tolerant, loving, empathetic. Rowling’s books are full of prejudices and injustice. From “mudblood” to S.PE.W. to Ministry of Magic corruption, the books preach perseverance through difficult times. Magical mischief lets us escape the Muggle world, but it gives us the inspiration to change our world too.

No matter how oxymoronic it sounds, it’s cool to be a nerd. Harry Potter helped us nerds break out of our shell and embrace our nerdiness. The day after the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, my school invited Harry Potter fans to come to school dressed up and take a picture for the yearbook. We gathered, in our nerdiness and tiredness. We had the best excuse to miss first period in the world. We ran the halls spewing out spells. We didn’t care what others thought because we were united by a love for the series that shaped our childhood. It continues to shape my life. As weird as it may sound, I think about Harry Potter everyday.

To grow up with these books is a blessing. The series grew up with its audience, each book maturing in character, language, and often, size. It helped me discover my passion for reading. It taught me virtues and not only how, but why I should be a good person. Harry Potter has given so much to the world and I’m thankful for how much it has given me.

Mischief Managed!

Corinne Demyanovich

11/6/14