“The Boy Who Lived.”
Author J.K Rowling introduced to the world the young boy that would become a legendary staple in literature. The first in a series of novels(Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone) was published June 30 1997. The books enchanted children and adults alike, selling over 450 million copies, making it the best-selling book series in history and it has been translated into 67 languages. The Goblet of Fire, Order of The phoenix, Half-blood Prince and the epic conclusion The deathly Hallows; all set consecutive records as the fastest- selling books in history. Its immense popularity soon caught Hollywood’s attention which lead Warner Bros. Studios(who’ve previously produced such films as: Indiana Jones, The Goonies, The Matrix Trilogy. And the upcoming epic conclusion of Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy) to release eight prolific adaptation, which were highly praised by critics and fans everywhere, not to mention the massive box office returns. The films starred Danielle Radcliff(Harry Potter)Emma Watson(Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint(Ronald Weasley) The final installment in movie saga(Deathly Hallows Pt. 2) was released Jul, 15 2011 and it went on to gross $475.5 million worldwide…
Though the films and books have since reached their end, Harry’s popularity grows in great scope as new fans are introduced to the source material. For those of you not familiar with the novels they follow the life of young wizard ,Harry Potter, whom by terrible fate has been marked by his adversary, the man responsible for the slaughter of his parents, Lord Voldemort. This young orphan lives with his aunt and uncle and their son Dudley. His surrogate family treat him like vermin and often call him a freak for his remarkable gifts. Its not until a strange letter to his name arrives at their doorstep that Harry’s life forever changes. He’s taken under by the trusted games-keeper, Hagrid, who informs Harry of his gifts. “You’re a wizard Harry. And a thumpin’ one I’d wager once you’ve trained up a bit.”(Sorcerers Stone). Harry is immersed into a world of magic beyond his wildest dreams. He attends Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, were he becomes the best of friends with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. However, not all are so friendly, Potter manages to make an enemy out of the Draco Malfoy and Professor Severus Snape,. However, Snapes true heroic intentions are kept behind a veil of hatred he feels for Harry’s father. Professor Albus Dumbeldore becomes the father figure of that Harry needs in his life, guiding him throughout the books preparing him for his eminent battle against his resurrected archenemy Lord Voldemort. Despite Dumbeldore meeting an untimely death, Harry remembers all but well what he has learned; The strength, and courage instilled within him ultimately prepares him to sacrifice his own life for those he loves most, as he faces the very evil that not only threatenes his future but completely obliterated his past.
Harry Potter has certainty left its mark on our society. A mark of absolute righteous ideals and moral values. The opportunity to find the courage within ourselves, being their for one another and lifting each other up when we fall; coming together as an unstoppable force of good, and standing tall against an evil that threatens the very nature of our existence. It mirrors the events of 9/11, after the attacks we weren’t a country divided by race or color, creed or action. We became one in the same, equal in every aspect of the word. And though two towers fell and America was broken there was one thing those evil men could not do, and it was brake our spirits. Lord Voldemort sought to do the same in the wizarding world. Taking all that was precious to Harry and destroying it before his very eyes, though this did not brake Harry’s spirit it made him that much stronger an individual. Unlike like Stephanie Meyers teen vamp angst the” Twilight Saga” which follows the story of Bella Swan, a young awkward teen sent to live with her father in the small North western town of Forks Washington. She meets a handsome brooding teenage boy(Edward Cullen) who so happens to be a Liberachi inspired vampire that sparkles. In addition, his domineering stalker obsession with the girl. Werewolves are later thrown into the mix in an all out vampire vs. werewolves, creepy love triangle, “I love you Edward, I cant live without you.” nonsense. That has strangely captivated young cookie cutter teens to go absolutely gaga over a bejeweled vamp and a werewolf with some serious anger management issues. Now I only say this because Im a huge literary nut, I love reading as much as a middle aged man loves watching porn, and Of course I’ve read the Twilight novels(Something I am not proud to advertise) I was at no moment impressed with Meyers poor attempt in re-inventing a legendary monster. Vampires at best, are rooted in the deepest core of evil personified; demons in the guise of mortal flesh, which makes them that much more irresistible. They do not sparkle like diamonds when exposed in sunlight nor do they drive Mercedes-Benz either. Now im not proclaiming myself an adamant expert on the undead, but vampires are like the great white shark, unforgiving and blood thirsty. They kill and drain their victims of blood in order to sustain their own existence. Yes, Harry Potter is a children’s book, but that didn’t stop adults from getting caught in the mysticism of it all. Wizards and witches are of course a thing of legends and myths sometime amalgamated into reality, but you look beyond the magical aspect of it all; digging deep into the heels of the fictional role at play and you find the absolute rationalistic side of the that world. of passage so to speak, for young children everywhere who struggle with the best and worst of what this often than most cruel life offers. Like Harry, Ron, and Hermione, young teens sometimes have the misfortunate task of missing out on their childhood due to certain circumstances that force them to mature before their time. Harry Potter represents the best and worst of humanity, whether it be those who unwillingly stand up against malevolence, or embrace the darkest regions of they’re souls. The message is engraved in stone and it entices our every sense of imagination. “ I just write what I wanted to write, I write what amuses me. It’s totally for myself. I never in my wildest dreams expected this popularity.” - J.K Rowling…If you’re a writer and your presented the opportunity to have a story that is capable of captivating the minds of thousands of people you know you have something very special worth sharing with the world; Rowling did exactly that..
