The first, Numerology in Harry Potter, looks at the supposed evil symbols. Second, the Witchcraft looks at how the domain of mystics is portrayed.Finally, look at what this may mean for a parent or guardian who is debating if they should bring Harry Potter and his friends to their children.
Six hundred sixty six This number has obvious biblical references to the evil Number of the Beast from Revelations 13:18. In the book/movie The Philosopher's Stone [or the Sorcer's Stone in the USA] Nicolas Flamel, who we never meet, has a special stone that allows him to live forever, so long as he uses it to create the elixir of life. Nicholas Flamel, it turns out, was an alchemist, who, in their time, were seen as almost religious men who basically attempted to turn metals into gold. Gold was considered to be the purest substance at this time, hence, the relation between alchemy and being 'religious': The process was mirrored by attempts to reach spiritual purity. The myth of the Philosopher's Stone is also linked to this, which is something Flamel was believed to have worked on for much of his life. Needless to say, there was a mystic view that people held about alchemists. By the end of the movie Nicolas Flamel had agreed to destroy the stone, because it could be misuse it. He dies at the age of 666. Is this an obvious jab at Christianity? Or is this proof of their being evil in Harry Potter? It turns out that Nicholas Flamel was born around the year 1330. While J.K. Rowling was working on her first book, in 1996, Nicolas Flamel was born six hundred and sixty six years before. Further, the author was aware that some people may take offence to this number, so instead of saying that he will die at the age of 666 she says that when he is 665 it will be he last year.
Up until now this document has been concerned primarily with 'evils' found within the pages of Harry Potter. In order to give full coverage to this issue, which is basically about whether or not Harry Potter is good for children, this next section is, I believe, important for parents to read over. What is discussed here is if Harry Potter promotes good lessons for children.
Lying
One founded criticism about this book is the fact that in just about ever adventure Harry Potter embarks on his friends and he, himself, usually end up lying to their professors and the head of the school. I, personally, believe this brings a bad message to the children viewing the movies, because Harry and his friends rarely are punished for these lies. In fact, they are usually not found out.
However, I believe that this could be turned in to a valuable lesson for youngsters, since they will almost inevitably lie at some point in their life, and they themselves may not be found out. After a close analysis and plot dissections of the stories I have come to the conclusion that if the trio of characters had told the truth to their professors almost always no trouble would have befallen them: In fact, had they told the truth, they may very well of made their lives easier on themselves. Consider the following scenarios.
In The Philosopher's Stone Harmonie's feelings are badly hurt, and she runs to the girls washroom to cry (adolescent boys can be very mean). When Harry and Ron discover that a troll is loose in that area, they immediate run to get her. Between the three of them they manage to defeat the troll on sheer stupid luck. Course of events: Harmonie is innocently in the washroom, Ron and Harry come to get her away from danger. Harmonie, however, lies, telling her professors that she went to 'take on the troll' herself, and Ron and Harry rescued her. I honestly don't see the difference between these two stories. One gets her in trouble.
In The Chamber of Secrets Harry told Professor Dumbledore, who has the up most respect for Harry and has proven to be a friend, that he had no idea what was going on, or who was responsible. Had he trusted Dumbledore, they may have succeeded in capturing the creature who was on the lose in the school.
If you read these books with your children, or watch the movies with them, and point out these facts, and discuss it, you will find that it will probably have twice the effect of helping, rather than having any normal bad effect.
It should also be noted, however, that all kid's movies tend to involve lying, any many times they are not found out. This is by no means specific to Harry Potter.
Friendship
The Harry Potter books have been said to show friendship and loyalty as one of the many fine points about the series. Though this is true, there is one point about friendship that links up with the above lying section. As mentioned, Hermione lies to keep everyone--but herself--out of trouble. Until she did this she was an outcast and not a particularly close friend. If we accept this, there is an effect that I find questionable: Hermione cannot be there friend until she lies to her teacher. This seems to me to be a poor way of choosing friends.
Rules
The books also encourage disobedience. Harry is always trying to get away with some scheme forbidden by his guardians, or teachers. He spends a lot of time figuring out how to do something that he is not supposed to do instead of, say, finding another way to the same end.
In conclusion, it seems that these books and movies are no better or worse than any other set of books or movies for children. In fact, they are not as bad as many 'kids' movies that I have been seeing lately. I would recommend these books to anybody with two conditions:
- They are meant for older children. (Think over 10.) Younger children have yet to learn to separate fiction from reality and would be frightened.
- As with all books or movies, I think these should be read by a supervising adult and discussed with the child to make sure they are properly understood (as fiction, etc, not necessarily the complex themes or author's techniques).
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