The first two Harry Potter books are an introduction to an intricate world of wizardry that is unfamiliar to us, but Rowling does a great job of creating a familiar setting that people can identify with even through its eccentricities. When I first read these books I did feel myself getting lost in Harry’s world, and I definitely agree with Iser’s statement that “text and reader no longer confront each other as object and subject”. I’m sure I am not the only one who found themselves completely immersed in this other world.
Identifying with different characters is easy to do when you are in the same age range as the characters. They are all going through growing pains, and having new exciting experiences. I found myself identifying with Hermione in the first book especially. She is just trying to fit in to a group and is a little bit lost until she finds her two best friends in Ron and Harry. After the troll incident when they immediately bond, she seems to feel accepted. As a result she comes out of her shell cautiously, and becomes more comfortable in a magical environment when she has been raised by muggles her whole life.
I find it hard to imagine an adult identifying with this book. I understand college-aged students still reading and enjoying them since we have grown up with these works since we were young, but as an adult I can’t see myself having never read a Harry Potter book saying “yeah, this book about a young wizard and his adventures is something I want to spend time reading right now”. That being said, I can guess that the stories are ageless with their messages. Good vs. evil, people growing and evolving together as friends, a community that bonds you for life, and the fact that the stories are so intricate and well-woven are reasons that anyone would want to throw themselves into the series.
I understand what you mean about not understanding how an adult could identify with earlier books because they deal with mostly adolescent-aged issues.
ReplyDeleteHowever, although I will graduate college relatively soon, I still really enjoy books, television shows and movies that are about younger characters. It reminds you of who you were at that age and your particular experiences as a child/teenager. Adolescence is a very pivotal time in a person's evolution.
Also, it is important to remember that although Harry is the protagonist, there are many other characters in the series. Perhaps an adult identifies with Hagrid, Snape, Dumbledore or McGonagall? Rowling provides us with such a wide variety of characters that I feel like it would be almost impossible not to identify with at least one.
Plus, as you point out, the messages/themes of Harry Potter are definitely ageless. Also, if you are a lover of literature, you have to appreciate the amount of thought, effort and care Rowling put into the series.
I understand what you are saying about adults not identifying with the books, however I find it's more the adults not wanting to give the books a chance. I think the general story about a boy wizard does not seem appealing, but if given the chance, an adult could actually relate more than they thought. So I don't think it's so much adults not identifying, but not giving the books a chance to be identified with. They don't realize there are themes of love, and parent child relationships until they've read the books!
ReplyDelete