Harry Potter: A book for children, A mirror to the world

‘Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?’

-Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

One of my very favourite quotes from Harry Potter books. Anyone who knows me half-well knows I absolutely love the Harry Potter series. However, like many Potter fans, I am sure, I have heard people say. “It is just a children’s book”. This, in my own experience, comes from people who have never read the book. I won’t say Harry Potter isn’t for children, but it definitely is much, much more than just a book for children, and this is a story of my own experience with the books.

I was about 13 when I was introduced to Harry Potter. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was a gift from a friend of my dad’s. I had already discovered my love for reading, and I had read several Kannada books by authors like Poornachandra Tejaswi and Kuvempu, Kannada translations of stories by Leo Tolstoy, and abridgements of English classics like David Copperfield and The Time Machine. I was also hooked on to Tintin comics by then. So when Harry Potter came along, I was already a budding reader.

To be honest, when I picked up the book, it wasn’t an easy start. I remember the first time I read the words “Mr and Mrs Dursley of number four, Privet Drive were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much,” I tossed the book aside as ‘weird’. However, after I saw my dad finish reading the book in a week, I was intrigued. I braved my way through the first chapter and, lo and behold, I was hooked.

Maybe it helped that I was roughly the same age group as Harry, but he quickly captured my heart, as did all other characters. I grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione and the others. I have felt Harry’s hopes and fears, Ron’s jealousy and insecurity, and Hermione’s thirst for knowledge, helpfulness and the occasional smugness. I have felt respect for Dumbledore and McGonagall, Hagrid and other teachers, I have loathed Dolores Umbridge, admired Luna for being different and Ginny for her strength, been in awe of Neville’s evolution through the series, just to name a few. I shed tears as beloved characters were lost, cheered for Gryffindor ever Quidditch match.

I have recently realised, though, how superficial my early reading was, and also that it’s okay. I am glad I have been re-reading the books every couple of years. As I read Harry Potter now, I see our world in Harry’s world.

I see muggle-borns looked down upon, and so-called purebloods, worshipped by some. I see division, I see marginalised people. I look at Draco Malloy and realise many of us aren’t born evil. I delve into the complexity of Snape’s character, to a point where I felt acute pity for him, and then an earnest respect. I see Luna being okay with being different. I see how some people treat house elves with kindness and respect, and some with cruelty. I see corrupt government and irresponsible journalism. I look at the speculations about Dumbledore after his death, and I am reminded of another great man whose name has been dragged through the mud. I think, ironically of Voldemort’s words: “Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies.”

Through the eyes of three teenagers, we learn love, bravery, friendship and unwavering loyalty. Dumbledore teaches us, in no uncertain terms, the value of trust, and that Love always has the upper hand. For anyone who still believes Harry Potter is just a children’s book, I say, if children who read Harry Potter rule the world, it would be a great place to live.

-Dedicated to all fans of The Boy Who Lived!

Here are some of my favourite quotes for the books:

1. Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory. (Albus Dumbledore, in The Goblet of Fire)

2. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! (Albus Dumbledore, in The Philosopher’s stone)

3. Don’t put your wand in your pocket, boy! What if it’s ignited? Better wizards than you have lost buttocks, you know!” (Alastor Moody, The Order of the Phoenix)

(Image source: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=harry+potter+scar&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwj2lfDU2_HjAhXIRH0KHaInAa8Q2-cCegQIABAC&oq=harry+potter+sc&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-img.1.0.0i67j0j0i67j0l2.4983.14862..15803...1.0..4.814.8708.0j2j9j4j4j3j2......0....1.......5..35i39.oTcDQAqym9M&ei=R0RLXbbWHsiJ9QOiz4T4Cg&bih=622&biw=414&client=safari&prmd=isnv#imgrc=ObCTIleyThCyMM)