According to Reading Is Fundamental, a British Charity Promoting Literacy, 70% of Children

Kathryn Gomard

ILS 503 - Foundations of Librarianship

Censorship Position Paper

Professor D’Abreu

October 10, 2004

Harry Potter – A Magical Journey of Discovery

According to “Reading is Fundamental”, a British charity promoting literacy, 70% of children who read a Harry Potter novel are encouraged to read other books. [1]Yet it is ranked number sevenin complaints filed via libraries and public schools on the American Library Association’s Banned Book List for 2000.[2] Despite this, USA Today included Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneon its “Top 150 Bestselling Books List”for 253 weeks[3], and The New York Timescreated a bestseller list of children’s books because the book was dominating the regular bestseller list for so long[4]. At the same time, it has infuriated Fundamentalist Christian groups who have accused the book of teaching evil and witchcraft to children. Does this book merit censorship? Or doesits outstanding success worldwide provide a platform for citizens of all ages to claim their private right to read, whether for pure entertainment or exploration of moral expression? Rather than looking at the book through a religious monocle, I believe it should be judged on whether it reinforces our cultural values and or invites us to discuss them with each other further.

Published in 1997, J.K. Rowling’s first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was enthusiastically received by thousands, adults and children alike. It very quickly won the author a number of prestigious awards - 1997 National Book Award (UK), New York Public Library Best Book of the Year 1998, and ParentingBook of the Year 1998[5], to name a few. The story chronicles the adventures and discoveries of young Harry Potter, a boy whose life is transformed on his eleventh birthday when he learns that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and that he possesses unique magical powers of his own. Harry lives at first with his non-magical Aunt and Uncle and endures prejudice, degradation and loss of freedom by being relegated to the cupboard under the stairs. His uniqueness and the Durseley’s self-righteousness parallel the polar political positions that now dominate the media in analyzing this book. One easily sympathizes with poor Harry who never identifies with the earthly excesses of the Durseleys. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry discovers the magical world of his heritage. Within the boundaries of the school, he enjoys his liberation by forming friendships, confronting adversaries and challenging himself in a new world of struggles and unseen forces.Where he once was a tormented underdog, he now discovers his uniqueness, faces his fears, and affirms his place in the world. Is it any wonder that the story appeals to adolescents who struggle with similar issues, such as,“What is their family about?” “Where do they fit in the world?” “How do they deal with theirconflict between dependence on family and their desire for individuality and independence?” Harry is an alluring superhero for all walks of life.

Pastor Ross Rennie, of the Northwich Christian Fellowship of England, is a fervent opponent of Harry Potter books and campaigns for book burnings[6]. So feels Dr. John Ankerberg, the Evangelical producer and host of the nationally televised “John Ankerberg Show”, who uses the Bible scripture of Deuteronomy 18[7] to illustrate God’s warning against witchcraft. These and other Christian leaders feel Harry Potter advocates witchcraft and sorcery, and provides an avenue for children to stray from Christian living, using Harry-like solutions to resolve problems. Critics say that they are misguided and suggest that in the world of Harry Potter, pagan innocence rules and instinct is a virtue. Where in some cases, religious beliefs are firmly grounded, the real argument against the book might possibly stem from the failure of modern religion to connect with our youth. Harry answers this concern himself by declaring, “I’m never going over to the Dark Side!” [8]

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneis a fantasy fairytale that clearly centers on the classic battle between good and evil. Although there are distinct instances of moralizing, ("It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." – Albus Dumbledore)[9], the moral messages are delivered throughout the story via the wonderful cast of characters and dilemmas they face. For example, when at Hogwarts Harry first meets Draco Malfoy, an opinionated, boastful student with a dark side, Malfoy offers to help Harry avoid the wrong sort of friends. Harry responds with “I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks.”[10] What child in dealing with identity issues does not relish identifying with Harry’s emerging sense of self?

Educators and parents also find ample avenues of exploration through discussion and written expression. Editor Elizabeth E. Heilman, in her book, Harry Potter’s World: Multidisciplinary Critical Perspectives, presents an eclectic selection of perspectives from the literary, psychological, cultural, educational and religious disciplines. Themes of witchcraft, hero worship, technoculture, magic, death, fantasy versus reality, biculturalism, isolation, bias, adoption, religion, gender expectations, stereotyping and peer relations are explored. Although Heilman feels some issues are underdeveloped, she concludes that Harry Potter “provides rich opportunities for important discussion.”[11] Kathleen Sullivan Brown in her review of Heilman’s book, concludes that the “the Harry Potter books, despite inconsistencies and constraints, contain valuable lessons. Educators and parents with this multidisciplinary collection as a guide can mine the series for its curriculum potential to teach criticalliteracy, citizenship and agency in a world that often values conformity over community.”[12]

Searching the web, one finds a multitude of websites offering classroom connections for teachers and librarians. The website for Scholastic Books, U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter series, provides interesting interactive games and exercises to motivate imagination and writing. A multitude of websites has been developed by educational professionals offering creative avenuesto connect the book’s themes with classroom teaching.[13] For example, a social studies lesson might be to construct a time line of Harry’s first year at Hogwarts. Then students could construct their own time line depicting their own year of school, and compare the events of each. This exercise could easily segue into a discussion of feelings and age-related issues, which provides a more relatable educational experience for them. Other examples are seen at “Education World, an Educators Best Friend,”which offers a lesson plan to practice online writing skills by sending e-mail messages to friends who are Harry Potter fans, and to write a screenplay based on a selected chapter of a Harry Potter book.[14]This lesson teaches about creative writing skills, provides opportunity for role-playing and develops expertise for e-mail communication. The educational suggestions are endless. The Governor Baxter School for the Deaf in Maine, whose mission statement includes “…to provide comprehensive educational programming aligned with state performance standards, affording opportunities for all students who are deaf or hard of hearing to excel in positive learning environments”, has established the “Harry Potter Literacy Camp” as one of their summer programs. Students discuss the similarities between experiences as deaf students tothe characters in the Harry Potter books. For example, the character Hermione is used to address families where children and parents do not share a common culture and language base heredity. Although her parents are “muggle” or non-magic, Hermionepossesses magical powers and enters the Hogwarts world with support from her parents. Through the camp program, deaf children born of hearing parents address issues surrounding successful education and communication skills (signing) and thus are empowered by the experience.

Adolescence marks the period of a person’s life between childhood and maturity. It is a time of exploration and self-discovery when a child’s unconscious can be revealed towards developing a truer and more assured sense of self. J.K Rowling in Harry Potter has used the fantasy genre for children to explore feelings of helplessness, anxiety, fear and loneliness. The American Bookseller’s Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) president, Chris Finan, says, “The Potter books have been widely credited with encouraging children to put aside the flashy attractions of video games and other technological marvels. They are discovering the joys of reading and using their imaginations. Booksellers have seen the evidence of this transformation with their own eyes.”[15]

The controversial nature or appropriateness of one book over another and for one child or another is a matter of perspective. PABBIS(Parents Against Bad Books in School) have compiled a list of 1350 books that might be considered bad or that someone might consider bad.[16] PABBIS claims not to have read most books on the list, but feels qualified to compile and present other database lists into one, encouraging parents and educators to make their own decision. Harry Potter is included on their list.

Censorship is the restriction by government, special interest groups or private individuals of what people may say, hear, write read or see. In our context, a book can be removed from a library because someone finds it objectionable. Although we are theoretically protected under the Bill of Rights, Freedom of Speech and Separation of Church and State, schools and libraries are put into a difficult position trying to protect sensibilities of some without restricting the freedoms of others. Respecting all sides or relying on an arbitrary group of parents’ (i.e., PABBIS) compilation, one can severely limit choices to students and adults alike. The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) states, “Banning books impoverishes our schools…While parents have a right to ask that their children be excused from classroom readings of works they dislike, we believe that it would be better for them to talk to their children about their objections.”[17]

The enormous popularity of the Harry Potter books illustrates the importance of encouraging reading and the imagination that it stimulates. No one can know for sure what lessons a child will extract from the stories, but fictional characters that we care about can speak to moral issues. In our world of TV and video dominance, gun violence, profanity and sexual freedom, the world of Harry Potter is a most welcome refuge. Harry Potter is a fun book to read. If it also creates for children and parents a forum to connect with each other about the pure joys of reading, the treasures of human knowledge or opportunity to discuss moral questions, it should be embraced, not censored. Whatever your perspective, the vast debates stimulated by J.K Rowling’s books certainly have us all using our imaginations and asking questions. “I don’t believe in the magic in my books. But I do believe something magical can happen when you read a good book.”[18]

Endnotes

[1] Michelle Nichols, “Potter Leaves Kids Bookbound,” The Scotsman, 9 November, 2001

[2] “Harry Potter series tops list of most challenged books four years in a Row,” American Library Association Website, 13 January, 2003

[3] USA Today Website,

[4] “Encyclopedia: New York Times bestseller list”, Nationmaster.com, 21 June, 2004

[5] J.K. Rowling Teacher Resource File, 20, Internet School Library Media Center, January, 2003

[6] “Potter Witch Charge Blasted”, Northwich Chronicle, Vikar’s Rant Website,25 June, 2003

[7] Dr. John Ankerberg, “Special Issue: Harry Potter,” Ankerberg Theological Research Journal , November 2001, p. 35-37