Coming of Age Outside the Wizard World
Around the world, people are transfixed by the Harry
Potter series. Audiences connect with this series in such a powerful way
because they are able to envision themselves in that life. In "The Impact
of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Books on Young Readers" Sarah Ann Beach
and Elizabeth Harden Willner explain how young readers relate to the
experiences of the characters in the series. “The magical world created by
Rowling draws young readers into the books by connecting aspects of the world
in which they live with a world that transcends reality” (Beach, Willner
103).
The characters still have to deal with entering a new school, finding new friends, and discovering where they fit in the world. These commonalities allow the audience to look beyond the magic and see their own lives and their own struggles reflected back at them when they watch Harry and his friends grow and mature.
The characters still have to deal with entering a new school, finding new friends, and discovering where they fit in the world. These commonalities allow the audience to look beyond the magic and see their own lives and their own struggles reflected back at them when they watch Harry and his friends grow and mature.
Sure, the wizard world doesn't exist, but the coming of age experiences that the characters have are things that could realistically happen to children now. For example, Harry meets Ron on the train to Hogwarts when Ron walks in and asks if he can share the train car with Harry. This scene is similar to riding the bus for the first time and becoming friends with the person you sit next to on that very first day. In some cases, you may even remain friends for life like Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
In her article in the Denver Post, Kristen Browning-Blas describes this same phenomena. “For many fans of the books and movies, Harry's coming of age parallels their own (or their kids').” The journey to adulthood that Harry faces is filled with adventure and heartbreak, and even though it is a bit far-fetched, audiences can connect with some of the most fundamental experiences. Most of the crucial coming of age experiences are the same, and this allows audiences to picture what their lives could have been like if they lived in a world of magic.
In her article in the Denver Post, Kristen Browning-Blas describes this same phenomena. “For many fans of the books and movies, Harry's coming of age parallels their own (or their kids').” The journey to adulthood that Harry faces is filled with adventure and heartbreak, and even though it is a bit far-fetched, audiences can connect with some of the most fundamental experiences. Most of the crucial coming of age experiences are the same, and this allows audiences to picture what their lives could have been like if they lived in a world of magic.