Harry Potter and American Mythos
Posted by: Jared
There is a HUGE cultural difference between American and British mythology. That is one thing I've never heard in Harry Potter discussions; witches and wizards are all over British folk literature. It's the Brit Lit version of the American hot dog! And in American myths (ahem . . . "tall tales")? Not so much as a lousy magic wand!
Furthermore, since our "mythology" is connected to science, it develops and changes as science progresses. Consider the myth of Spiderman. In the original conception, Peter Parker is bitten by an irradiated spider; in the new movies, Peter is bitten by a genetically-engineered spider. These very different explanations of how Spiderman became Spiderman reflect the change in scientific frontiers.
So I opened my big mouth at a church planning meeting Sunday afternoon. About Harry Potter. Seems there's a significant faction in our church (perhaps in every church) that thinks Harry Potter is essentially kindegarten for the Wiccan religion. I would like to vehemently disagree, but I've only read the first five pages of the first book, so I must suspend judgment. I did hear a radio commentator the other day mention that the ALA (American Library Association) has listed Harry Potter as one of the 10 most controversial books/series ever published. Interesting.
The reaction to my comment was rather shocking . . . so immediate and, well, decided. Anything with witches and wizards is automatically "evil". I find it very amusing to listen to the same people attack Harry Potter and defend Narnia with equal vehemence. Cognitive dissonance, anyone?
Anyway, so here's what I started thinking. Those who reject Harry Potter would like to think that their "reaction" to that magical world is something born strictly out of our Christian convictions. However, I would argue that the reaction is, in large part cultural.
There is a HUGE cultural difference between American and British mythology. That is one thing I've never heard in Harry Potter discussions; witches and wizards are all over British folk literature. It's the Brit Lit version of the American hot dog! And in American myths (ahem . . . "tall tales")? Not so much as a lousy magic wand!
Classic American mythos is decidedly anti-magical. Consider the icon of American mythology, the Man of Steel. He has superhuman not magical powers. In fact, his powers are "scientifically" explained. The planet Krypton had a gravity field much denser than Earth's; essentially, Superman on Earth is equivalent to a human being on Mars (I believe you can launch yourself from the Martian surface if you obtain a speed of 22 mph, or go really fast on a tricycle) and that's why he can fly, is bulletproof, etc.
Furthermore, since our "mythology" is connected to science, it develops and changes as science progresses. Consider the myth of Spiderman. In the original conception, Peter Parker is bitten by an irradiated spider; in the new movies, Peter is bitten by a genetically-engineered spider. These very different explanations of how Spiderman became Spiderman reflect the change in scientific frontiers. Now, that doesn't happen in a mythology of wizardry and spells. Magic's magic, plain and simple. It needs no "scientific" development.
Like I said, for me, the jury's still out on "scary Harry". I've heard a lot of stuff. J. K. Rowling's a witch. There are actual spells in the books. (I'm not sure . . .I've never bothered to read any Wiccan spell-casting manuals-neither have most 12 year olds I know-so I couldn't say.) And on and on. Here's a question: are we merely trying to create a theological justification for a cultural distinctive?
The problem I have heard voiced by many of "our" people is that the books contain spells and the like. To that, I noted that Cinderella had "bibbity, bobbity, boo" which is, of course, a spell (albeit a completely benign one). I imagine the "reducto" spell is also quite benign (at least it doesn't work in my house). The truth is (and I am a District Sunday School Director) is that we protest from a point of ignorance. How many of our folks have read the books or seen the movies? If they did, they would find some of the finest story telling I have ever read.
Posted by
Don |
Thu Jul 26, 06:52:00 PM 2007
I think your exactly right. That's why I look askance at those who claim there are "actual" spells in Harry Potter. How do they know? Furthermore, what kind of stuff were they reading to be able to make that claim? Stuff that's a lot worse than Harry Potter!
Posted by
Jared |
Fri Jul 27, 08:11:00 PM 2007
I haven't read them, but now that I know the last of the books has been written and released, I may start in on book 1.
Posted by
Liz |
Mon Jul 30, 07:32:00 AM 2007