Harry Potter: A Good Story for All!

In recent times, there has been a lot of hoopla and craze over Harry Potter. There still is, as J.K. Rowling is getting ready to release her seventh and probably final book in the Harry Potter series. However, many questions arise and have been debated over the past several years about letting youngsters read her books as well as watch the Harry Potter movie series. Some people feel that they should not be allowed to read the series or watch the movies under any circumstance, while others feel that it will do no harm. Indeed, Harry Potter will not do any harm to your children because his character is innocent, loves life and the things in it, and does whatever he can do defeat evil, especially Lord Voldemort.

First, the reason that I say that Harry Potter is innocent is because he did not choose the type of lifestyle that he carries. He was dropped on the doorstep of the Dursley's house, and there he stayed until he actually realized that he had powers. He did not ask to be given any powers. On the contrary, his parents died and needed to be loved just as any normal child would need to be loved in the absence of its parents. Harry Potter certainly does not receive that much needed love at the Dursley's, considering that they treat him as an outcast and a plague. Furthermore, they make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs! What parent or guardian makes their own child sleep in a closet under the stairs that is hardly big enough for any normal child to have? Fortunately for Harry Potter, he finds the happiness of Hogwarts where there are children and adults just like him. Hogwarts is a place where Harry Potter gets all of the attention and love that he needs, just as any child would need attention and love from their parents as they grow up. Harry Potter loves Hogwarts, and the people inside Hogwarts love him and cherish him as well.

Secondly, Harry Potter loves to have fun, just as any normal child does. He especially loves the game of Wizard's Chess, where he picks up hints and tricks from Ronald Weasley. Also, his friends are another way in which Harry Potter has fun. He cares about Ron and Hermione dearly and stays close to both of them throughout the series. They are the 3 closest friends of the Harry Potter books and also are portrayed the same in the movies.

Third, and perhaps the biggest reason that Harry Potter should be allowed around children, is the fact that he does whatever he can do defeat evil. The idea that good always prevails over evil is not a new concept. But nevertheless, Harry Potter goes head to head beating Voldemort at every chance that he gets. In the fourth book, Voldemort regains his body and the two duel it out with their wands. Some people may look at this and say that it is teaching our children to become magicians of some sort, having wands or magic sticks to defend ourselves. Harry Potter does, of course, own a magic wand and a broomstick. As has been discussed, he does use these things to fight evil, which is Lord Voldemort. How is this any different from any story of good prevailing over evil? If you want to take away Harry Potter then all stories like it should be banned also. This includes Superman, who has super powers without the aid of any magic wand. This also includes the Queen in Snow White, as well as Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty, who both use un-natural objects to fight the innocent girls.

All in all, children can learn just as much from Harry Potter, if not more, than they can from any other story of good versus evil. The basic elements of Harry Potter are the same from any other story like it; therefore, it should not be attacked simply because Harry Potter uses a magic wand and a broomstick to help him fight Lord Voldemort! Parents, if they are careful and explain to their children the meaning behind Harry Potter and the ideals that he portrays (good prevailing over evil, hope, kindness, etc.), will give their children a lifetime of lessons through the series that J.K. Rowling has created!