It has been a decade since the end of the series and even after reading a couple of hundreds of books meanwhile, the Harry Potter series remains my one absolute favourite. You may ask - "After all this time?" and I would reply - "Always". 💓
I understand that fantasy as a genre may not be for everyone, but I still think there are valuable lessons around racism, sexism, classism, tolerance and prejudice in this series.
I understand that fantasy as a genre may not be for everyone, but I still think there are valuable lessons around racism, sexism, classism, tolerance and prejudice in this series.
It saddens me when this series gets mindlessly discounted as "children's books". The relevance of this series is even higher in today's intolerant world that when it first released, across age groups.
If you or your family members have watched the movies but never got around to the books, it doesn't matter that you know the plot, the books add incredible dimensions and I would still recommend them to you. The movies were average at best and covered only a fraction of the books' plot, sometimes leaving out crucial and best parts. Eg: Quidditch final in the Prisoner of Azkaban!
This box set of books will make an excellent gift for friends and family for special occasions.
1. Family need not just be born into; it can be chosen
I think you will relate to the statement that "you can't choose your relatives". Everyone faces the misfortune of being related to certain undesirable elements of their family. While you may be able to avoid most of them, it is human to seek the support of a nurturing family.
Harry is forced to live with his relatives who don't value him but after befriending Ron, he gets to soclialise with Ron's entire loving family. They treat him as one of their own without reservations. Same way in life, you can find your family or tribe yourself. You are not limited to the family you are biologically related to. No sir!
If you or your family members have watched the movies but never got around to the books, it doesn't matter that you know the plot, the books add incredible dimensions and I would still recommend them to you. The movies were average at best and covered only a fraction of the books' plot, sometimes leaving out crucial and best parts. Eg: Quidditch final in the Prisoner of Azkaban!
This box set of books will make an excellent gift for friends and family for special occasions.
Valuable favourite lessons from the Harry Potter series -
1. Family need not just be born into; it can be chosen
I think you will relate to the statement that "you can't choose your relatives". Everyone faces the misfortune of being related to certain undesirable elements of their family. While you may be able to avoid most of them, it is human to seek the support of a nurturing family.
Harry is forced to live with his relatives who don't value him but after befriending Ron, he gets to soclialise with Ron's entire loving family. They treat him as one of their own without reservations. Same way in life, you can find your family or tribe yourself. You are not limited to the family you are biologically related to. No sir!
2. Sharing what you don't have
With most families being single child homes, "sharing" is a valuable lesson that many don't learn in childhood. There is much to be learnt about sharing from Harry's best friend Ron - he is all heart. 💗
Ron, coming from a big family with all those over achieving elder brothers, is already attention deprived and has had to share everything with his siblings.
He then befriends Harry, at the price of forever remaining a sidekick to a famous boy. He not only does this with minimal complex, he generously shares his family, his room and his mom's love with Harry.
Of course, he acts up a couple of times in the series but considering the extraneous circumstances, it is easy to forgive him as he shares what he barely has.
One simple shining example of his generosity is during their first Christmas together, he writes to his mom about how Harry isn't expecting many gifts and convinces her to hand knit a Weasley family jumper for his best friend too. How sweet is that? He is the best friend I wish I had.
With most families being single child homes, "sharing" is a valuable lesson that many don't learn in childhood. There is much to be learnt about sharing from Harry's best friend Ron - he is all heart. 💗
Ron, coming from a big family with all those over achieving elder brothers, is already attention deprived and has had to share everything with his siblings.
He then befriends Harry, at the price of forever remaining a sidekick to a famous boy. He not only does this with minimal complex, he generously shares his family, his room and his mom's love with Harry.
Of course, he acts up a couple of times in the series but considering the extraneous circumstances, it is easy to forgive him as he shares what he barely has.
One simple shining example of his generosity is during their first Christmas together, he writes to his mom about how Harry isn't expecting many gifts and convinces her to hand knit a Weasley family jumper for his best friend too. How sweet is that? He is the best friend I wish I had.
3. Racism
There are numerous references, especially in the second book, to "pure blood", "half blood" and "mudblood". There could not be a more blatant anti-racism message to our muggle world. Only capabilities matter and not where you are from or what your bloodlines are.
And to quote Dumbledore's famous dialogue - "It is our choices that make us who we are far more than our abilities."
4. Stereotypes
A common problem throughout the world is the rush to make people fit into familiar boxes or stamp them as something. Whether it is based on where they are from, who their parents are, what colour their skin is, what job they do or what their net worth is, categorising someone into a familiar box unfortunately brings comfort to most people.
There are numerous references, especially in the second book, to "pure blood", "half blood" and "mudblood". There could not be a more blatant anti-racism message to our muggle world. Only capabilities matter and not where you are from or what your bloodlines are.
And to quote Dumbledore's famous dialogue - "It is our choices that make us who we are far more than our abilities."
4. Stereotypes
A common problem throughout the world is the rush to make people fit into familiar boxes or stamp them as something. Whether it is based on where they are from, who their parents are, what colour their skin is, what job they do or what their net worth is, categorising someone into a familiar box unfortunately brings comfort to most people.
Why the rush though? A boring colleague may be a superb skier, a noisy neighbour might be a survivor of violence and an unkempt looking child may be a budding artist and victim of neglect.
Harry and all his friends - Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Sirius, Remus, Neville and Luna get stereotyped as something several times.
When you finish the series you will know that every character has more depth than what appears on surface and deserved fairer treatment than what they received. Same applies to our real world too.
6. Bravery and instincts
Being brave in the face of danger is a quality every person will benefit from learning. From a young age, Harry displays amazing courage and excellent instincts. Be it when talking to snake in a zoo, breaking petty school rules for the greater good or following unknown leads into unfamiliar territory.
Being brave in the face of danger is a quality every person will benefit from learning. From a young age, Harry displays amazing courage and excellent instincts. Be it when talking to snake in a zoo, breaking petty school rules for the greater good or following unknown leads into unfamiliar territory.
As Harry explains it to Ron in the seventh book, such brave acts sound a lot cooler when retold because when the action was playing out he was afraid and didn't know what he was doing. It is normal to be afraid but taking action despite fear is true bravery.
There is also an unnamed brave man in the series, Hagrid's father who found the courage to, hem hem, be rather brave about sowing his seed in this world! 😉
7. Good vs Evil
Many books and movies have explored the depths of evil through the villain characters. Voldemort would probably get along just fine with Ramsay Bolton.
Many books and movies have explored the depths of evil through the villain characters. Voldemort would probably get along just fine with Ramsay Bolton.
But it is rare when goodness is explored in its full depth while still keeping the plot entertaining. The purity and generosity of an untarnished soul is showcased in Harry's and his friends' characters.
Whether it is the trio standing up for Neville, Harry's friends always having his back, Hermione's S.P.E.W., Ron including Harry in his holiday plans and Harry's many actions throughout the book. I mean, how many times has Harry risked his life for others in the series? It is hard to keep count.
In our lives, we are often faced with the choice of what is right and what is easy. We must find the strength to be like Harry and choose wisely.
Don't you agree with me that, while this series teaches important lessons about tolerance and acceptance to children, the same lessons and perhaps even better ones will not be lost on adults too?
Bonus lesson
The Dementors start making an appearance from the third book onwards. The author and creative genius, JK Rowling, wrote these dark creatures as a representation of depression. The cure to these creatures' negative influence is chocolate.
So be safe from Dementor attacks and always carry a Twix bar in your bag! 😀
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