Defence for Harry Potter against escapism

[Groo]

I came across this while browsing through my comp.
this is an article that i had written ages ago, in favour of Harry Potter books against the claim by many people (who i believe havent read the books) that they are escapist
i would like some constructive opinions:


It is a truth now universally acknowledged that the Harry Potter books are the new classics of this century. They have transcended all geographical barriers and have carved a special niche for themselves. But in every civilized society there is a sizable community of cynics and they have been quite vociferous in their condemnation of Harry Potter, namely on grounds of escapism from reality and fantasy associated with its theme of magic. But if one looks closely, Harry Potter is not a story ‘about’ magic even though it is a story ‘of ’ magic. The theme of Harry Potter is simple “growing up” and therein lies its universal appeal for if there is one experience every individual, irrespective of his caste, creed or culture has undergone it is that of physically and mentally growing up and coming to terms with oneself.

Harry Potter is not an escapist story of magic for the simple reason that learning or knowing magic in it doesn’t simplify life’s struggles. Even those who have mastered it have to face several trials or tribulations. Voldemort’s quest for supremacy is fraught with several defeats from lesser mortals and even Dumbledore , God like figure that he is, questions and doubts his decisions like all of us. As for Harry, the real challenge he faces is not learning magic but to search for his real identity. Besides, magic is associated with homework, examinations and school and it doesn’t make things easier for students who go through all this, it is in no way different from other muggle studies. Thus, magic is not used in the books to offer oversimplified solutions to the complex riddles of life. It is but a part of the imagery in the books

During adolescence, the world around seems confusing and intriguing which complicates the task of understanding others correctly. One judges others by their behaviour to us and forgets that such a judgment is biased. For example Snape hates Harry but still saves his life, which is something Harry cannot understand. Adolescence is when one often feels very lonely. Similarly Harry, despite having staunch support, is basically a lone figure. Being an outcast in the muggle world, he is nothing more than a symbol to everyone in the wizarding world. He suffers equally from the antagonism of some as the excessive admiration of others. It is this feeling of loneliness that makes us identify with Harry Potter as it reminds us of our own adolescence. Harry’s story is the story of each one of us, the journey from adolescence to manhood and is therefore very realistic.
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[pallas artemis]

Well said

[Reverie Revenge]

In an interview JKR said she didn't want to write about ''allmighty'' magic, just the opposite. She wanted to show that growing up isn't easy even if you have a wand in your hand! I'd say it's even more difficult (if you cast a wrong spell )!

Loneliness - most of the time it's my best company . I'm sociable but bored by conformists - my choice for ''clique'' is very limited So I'm very happy with this forum to meet so many ppl who have so many cool+intelligent things to say

Though theese books weren't meant to be escapistic, I'm pretty sure many ppl escape the reality with HP books - you draw back from everyday routine with things you like to do/write/read/create/listen/watch... it's nothing wrong with it.

[Broccoli]

Let me quote Tolkien, who was also accused of escapism:

[quote]I have claimed that Escape is one of the main functions of fairy-stories, and since I do not disapprove of them, it is plain that I do not accept the tone of scorn or pity with which "Escape" is now so often used: a tone for which the uses of the word outside literary criticism give no warrant at all. In what the misusers are fond of calling Real Life, Escape is evidently as a rule very practical, and may even be heroic. In real life it is difficult to blame it, unless it fails; in criticism it would seem to be the worse the better it succeeds. Evidently we are faced by a misuse of words, and also by a confusion of thought. Why should a man be scorned, if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if, when he cannot do so, he things and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls? The world outside has not become less real because the prisoner cannot see it. In using Escape in this way the critics have chosen the wrong word, and, what is more, they are confusing, not always by sincere error, the Escape of the Prisoner with the Flight of the Deserter. quote]

[Eol]

That Tolkien quote is very apt Broccoli. I myself have to admit that when I read the stories I find myself immersed deeply into the Potterverse. The ability of the reader to relate in such a way with a fantastic world like this is one of its greatest appeals. It's so unreal and yet borders on possibility at the same time. In a way for me the books do have a sense of escapism, but only in the sense of fuelling my imagination. It's good to get away from the real world every now and then, it relieves stress and improves creativity. Einstein used to "escape" to his imagination all the time and came up with the theory of relativity because of it.
I've read one article in the past where the HP stories were read by a teacher to her class. One of the pupils was expressly forbidden by her mother from listening to it, on the grounds that witchcraft/wizardry is a religion and was giving an unfair voice to a single point of view about the way the world works. It perplexes and annoys me how anybody can judge these stories without so much as reading them. On the otherhand I do feel a great deal of pity for those who haven't read the stories beacause they are sorely missing out.

[TDM]

well, of course ppl are going to use these books to escape reality. and of course JKR is going to be accused of it, because that's what ppl do. do i use the books as an escape? yes, to an extent, because it's so wonderfully written. in fact, if you CAN escape in a book, that just goes to show how good the book actually is, because you can lose yourself in it. yes, i might be talking about the wrong thing, and if i am, please alert a mod to delete this post, because i don't want to sound dumb, persay.

[Athena Appleton]

Groo: okay, I totally get what you're saying, and it's a very well-written piece...

But what I wonder is why do people complain about escapism? I mean, why does everything have to be realistic?

Part of the reason I love the Harry Potter books is that she makes it feel real, but it's a reality steeped in fantasy.

Just like Tolkien created his own world, his own people, his own languages and cultures, Rowling does the same thing. They make the fantastic realistic.

It takes a great deal of work, I would imagine, to do this. If Harry Potter were able to get out of every jam by a wave of his wand and a funny Latin-sounding phrase, then I would have much less respect for Rowling as a writer, and I probably wouldn't be the least bit interested in the books.

What she does, though, is take something that we know is not "real," but writes it in such a way that you can allow yourself to forget that it isn't reality. She writes of Hogwarts as a regular school with uncommon classes. She writes of wizarding talent in the way that we have other talents. There are so many similarities to real life that it makes it believable, and that's the sign of true imagination, I believe.

It's sad that in our world of criticism, we're unable to just relax and lose ourselves in a cleverly-written story.

[Groo]

IMO there's nothing wrong in escapism as you say Athena. if there's a route of escape from the monotonity of your life, whats wrong with it?all it will do is keep you happy and thus, in a better condition to deal with life unless you get trapped in that world

the reasons I believe that there is so much negative criticism are:
there are always cynics who have nothing better to do than to criticise every new trend-setting and well-acclaimed book, invention or whatever. also accusing something like HP would give them publicity. i dont see them accusing X-Men David Eddings or any other fantasy novel or comic.

people believe, and quite rightly so, that such books can be extremely addictive. people tend to lose their touch with reality. but that does NOT mean that you ban fantasy books altogether. poverty is a big problem, so you dont eradicate it by killing all the poor people.its upto you or your parents to make sure you dont go over the top, not Rowling's fault

[Athena Appleton]

Well, I guess that makes sense...

If they're going to be like that, though, they'd do better to attack Star Wars, which, even after all this time, has some people completely nutty.

[pallas artemis]

And the trekkies never forget the trekkies ( I know a couple )

I agree with you guys that escapism isn't a bad thing. I also feel that people who get TOO involved are going to have a tendency to do that whether it is HP or LotR or the Bible or anything else. Peple with weak minds and extremous behavour are going to be that way with what ever it is that they get there teeth in it is not the fault of the writer that people can't step back and see it as a fictional, mark you, fictional story!