Harry Poter: Teaching Children Life Lessons

Introduction

The book series of Harry Potter is the one that has drawn great attention not just because of the record-breaking sales, but also because of the fanatical fondness, which it enjoys among readers. Those, who admire Porter’s ability to influence children’s behavior, do not support the claim of the opponents of the book, who label it as one engulfed by evil spirits and witchcraft, and are anti-God (Peyton, “Harry Potter: A New Exploration of Evil”). Besides, they argue that the book on Porter introduces witchcraft to children and draws them away from God. In fact, there are several attempts to ban the book by the United States fundamentalists because of these allegations (Rebecca 52). However, the proponents of Harry Porter argue that children can learn a lot from the series and use lessons in their daily lives. The insatiable appetite for the series is an indication that it is widely acceptable not just by children, but also by their parents because of the lessons, which the book teaches.

Analysis

The love theme dominates in many books on Porter, and he explains that love forms the basis for his living and the continued defeat of Lord Voldemort. He explains that it is love that saves and protects everyone, and this is a particularly crucial lesson that children learn from these books. Harry Porter reveals that Jesus Christ died for people to enjoy the gift of eternal life and forgiveness. It helps children understand that love forms the core of every human being’s soul, and stories in these books make it easy for children to understand. Normally, it is extremely hard to discuss the issue of love with children because of its abstractness. However, the book gives them the opportunity to grasp the basis of this concept. Through the books, children get to understand that it is love, but not magic that protects Porter.

Harry Porter teaches children that love is everlasting and goes way beyond the graves of people close to us. It gives assurance to kids and adults, who are grieving for people they have lost through death. Reading and discussing Harry Potter help young children to open up and understand the issue of death. It helps them realize that death is a stage in life, which every person has to go through at the end of it. Porter has lost his parents, but still feels love to everything that is around him. It offers inspiration to young children, who lose their parents at a tender age that losing their parents physically, they can still enjoy love, since it goes beyond grave borders (Brown, “The Problem with Harry Potter”).

The book series helps children understand that they have the potential to fight the evil. Sometimes, one gets tired and frustrated, or worried about the future instead of living in the present. People fear that evil spirits will overcome good ones, and they will control their lives. According to Peyton, in most cases, people doing evil seem to be enjoying, while those doing well seem to be struggling. However, the consequences of good deeds ensure that children will enjoy the outcome of their actions not just in the present, but also in the future. The book also helps children estimate their powers properly. They will want to fight the evil, and it will be easier to follow that route, since it is always easier. However, the stories remind readers that they have one power in the fight against the evil, namely love. Through love, people can use all their abilities, and consequently, will win the fight against evil deeds.  

Harry Porter helps people understand that the evil emerges from every person because of choices he or she makes. The evil in every human being develops from experiences, through which he or she undergoes. It helps students understand that every choice they make in life matters. Decisions they make today will have impacts on their future for the rest of their lives. Therefore, parents should allow students to read this book.

Harry Porter offers a perfect remedy to the seriousness that surrounds young children, as they grow to become young adults. Whether intentionally or not, kids grow knowing that what they watch has a significant on their personality. As children grow, they enjoy fun without any fears, but parents instill these fears as they grew up. These include the fear of illusionary variety, particularly the fear of unworthiness, failure and scarcity. These fears affects one’s abilities and make children develop an inferiority complex. By means of the books on Harry Porter, it is possible to help these students deal with fears (Glanzer 25).

In these books, children read about truly scary creatures called dementors. These creatures frighten everyone, but they are just illusionary. These fears haunt every child, as they grow in the same way as creatures haunt people living around them. However, Porter can chase away them through chanting and positive thinking. According to Glanzer, Parents should also teach children the same things. They should let them understand that it is possible to overcome any fears through positive thinking. As children read the book, they see how Porter overcomes the evil. They can emulate these actions to be able to overcome their own fears (DeMitchell and Carney 161).

While reading the book, it is possible to spot Christianity themes that run through Harry Porter series. The most obvious theme is the battle between the good and evil. Satan and Lord Voldemort share so many features. Voldemort seeks popularity, immorality and power, just as Satan (Cockrell 24). He has the power to possess human beings and inhabit snakes. Moreover, he has a group of evil people referred to as death eaters, who kill and eat anyone, who stands in their way. In every situation, just as Christianity teaches, the good always prevails over the evil. Porter can defeat the latter. He reveals that moral character, sacrifice and love are the essential ingredients to defeat evil spirits. Children can learn that to be able to succeed one has to love people around him, have moral character and make sacrifices.

The book teaches children that life is a constant battle between the good and the evil, as stated earlier. It teaches children that, like Voldemort, Satan is the lord of all liars. He uses people’s greed for money and power to attract followers. Satan lives to bring suffering to human beings; and to be able to overcome all these challenges, one needs to be alert, remain strong and follow good principles. The book continues to explain that it is easy for children and adults to be led astray into the evil ways. However, learning Christianity and scriptures, but not witchcraft will enable them to win the battle against the evil (Cockrell 25).

As Porter was growing up, he discovered that he had both the evil power from Voldemort and the moral power from his parents. He wonders whether he should be evil like Voldemort or good like his parents. It reveals that every person has the potential to be moral or evil, and how one turns out to be depends on choices he or she makes in life. God gives people the chance to choose between the good and evil, and Porter goes through the same struggle. Sometimes, he makes woeful choices, for example, breaking school rules, but this comes with some consequences. Finally, he manages to defeat the evil by choosing to be good. It results in a triumph. Therefore, as children read the book series, they get to know that choices they make will have an impact on their life with some consequences.

It is possible to reinforce children’s trust and love in God, as they enjoy the imaginary stories on Harry Porter. As they marvel at the battles and the world, they begin wondering what God does to help people. Some children can make connections on their own, while others try to connect tales with their faith. The imagination and open minds allow them to draw powerful inferences that not only strengthen their faith, but also help in their daily lives.

Conclusion

Many attempts to ban the book series on Harry Porter due to witchcraft associated with them failed. However, the truth is that children will not start believing in witchcraft just because they have read the book. They can read and interpret the book themselves and get meaningful lessons from it (Rebecca 52). The series offers lessons that are critical in shaping the child’s future. They teach children that life is a constant struggle between what is right, and what is wrong, and that love is the most important weapon to fight the evil. It allows them to know that every action is a result of their choices, and God has given freewill to choose what is right and wrong. Moreover, parents should instill confidence in their children, but not fear. These lessons lead to the conclusion that, indeed, Harry Porter teaches children more lessons, but many critics discard them.