One of my friends has never seen the last Harry Potter film. She doesn't want a finale to what she considers her childhood. However, this last weekend she decided she needed closure; therefore, yesterday a group of us gathered together to watch "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2." When it finished, we asked her how she felt. She was feeling good, it had been a positive experience.
What I find fascinating though is how influential the Harry Potter saga has been in the lives of many of my generation. Granted, we all have grown up with him, but still how is it that one story has been linked to an entire generation's childhood association? I think it's fantastic, but curious none the less.
I think this just speaks to the "magic" of words...forgive the pun. But really, words are powerful!! They have the capacity to uplift, tear down, create, etc. Just look what J.K. Rowling has done with words, she has created childhoods, new worlds, magic, love, the list goes on!
One of my favorite scriptures comes from Alma 31:5:
"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just--yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them--therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."
And there you have it, Alma verifying that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Seriously though, words have a great potential and we can all become masters of them.
Harry Potter really is an interesting phenomenon. What makes it even more so is the fact that every person who grew up with this series feels a personal claim on the books, like their (for lack of a better word) "relationship" with the Harry Potter books is unique and special. And in their life it is, because it left such an impact. But when every person out there claims the same thing... is it really?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think so. I mean, as people we can have unique and individual relationships with each other regardless of who else may also have a relationship with the people we know and each of our relationships is different. So why can't everyone have meaningful experiences and "claims" on Harry Potter too? Granted it's a book series and not a person, but the idea is the same-ish
DeleteIt is so interesting to me to see what becomes popular -- it's sometimes odd to me the things that become popular and the things that don't. I think Harry Potter is wonderful and I'm a huge fan, so I love that it is hugely popular, it's one way I can connect with new people, through our shared love of those books. On the other hand, sometimes I just don't understand why some things that I think are absolute trash (50 shades of grey) become so popular.
ReplyDeleteI guess the different books appeal to different parts of our human nature. Some seek out that which edifies and enriches their lives and some seek out that which appeals to their more carnal senses...I personally enjoy that which is enriches
DeleteJK Rowling will be forever remembered because of the impact she made on our generation! How neat that something so beautifully written and inspiring can still be popular in our world!
ReplyDeleteAgreed!!
DeleteWhenever someones posts about Harry Potter, I HAVE to read it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Becks. I love that quote at the end. Words have such a power, it's incredible. To me, certain words coming from certain people can create something magical.
About Harry, I believe his story and JK Rowling's works are a message of realizing our potential and achieving it. I'm rereading the series (for research purposes of course) and seeing that at the beginning, Harry doesn't see himself as much. He sees himself as an orphan caged in by his aunt and uncle and will never really accomplish much. hen Hagrid comes a long and shows him a short glimpse of who he really is. Harry is blown away and almost doesn't believe it at first. You know how the rest goes, but how often does that happen to us? How often do we forget our potential and who we really are?
Any other sweet parallels from the series you see?
This actually reminds me of my mission. After being home for a few months and missing being a missionary I remember finally coming to the realization that my mission was like Heavenly Father's way of giving me that glimpse of who I really am/what my potential is. Now I am just trying to be that person Heavenly Father helped me see I can be. But you're so right! We forget all the time who we really are, which I guess is understandable since we have a pretty limited view of who we are. What cool though that we are sent reminders!!
DeleteOn a different note, one of my absolute, all time, favorite quotes from Harry Potter is again from Dumbledore:
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." --Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
This quote reminds me that no matter what happens in my life, I still am in control because I still have my free agency and I get to choose my reactions to what happens and I can choose to do those things that are in alignment with who I am trying to be/become despite my limited view.