The Harry Potter series is regarded as a modern classic throughout the world. This series, published between 1997-2007, is either loved or hated, and the controversy surrounding the author has not helped this divide. However looking at the series itself– not the fandom/haters– some must admit that the books were well written.
J.K. Rowling’s use of foreshadowing is incredible. In the first chapter of the first book, Sirius Black and his flying motorbike are mentioned. This small detail goes a long way as Sirius Black is “The Prisoner of Azkaban” from the third book in the series, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. In addition, Hagrid bringing Harry to his home of Number 4 Privet Drive on the flying motorbike in book one is mirrored in book seven when Hagrid takes Harry away from Privet Drive for the last time. Also in book one, Severus Snape says, “Mr. Potter. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?” The significance of this is greater than any reader may have picked up on at first because with the use of The Language of Flowers Snape is truly saying, “I bitterly regret Lily’s death,” which foreshadows his true allegiance and the story line between Snape and Lily. Asphodel is a type of lily meaning ‘my regrets follow you to the grave’ and wormwood means ‘absence’ and also typically symbolizes bitter sorrow, so for any readers who are a fan of Victorian Era language it is an interesting little moment. Rowling’s planning of these trivial moments stands with the other great works of literature that make up our society.
Speaking of our society, The Harry Potter series has been greatly immersed in pop culture. Something that isn’t amazing doesn’t just blow up like the books did. However, there are definitely flaws in the books. There isn’t an established law for magic until the seventh book when it is convenient. For example, Gamp’s Law and its five exceptions. This law is about the food in the books and how you can’t just make it appear from thin air. However, throughout all seven books, we see different characters making drinks and snacks appear. Dumbledore in particular makes all sorts of different drinks appear almost any time he is having a formal discussion. Now a reader could choose to believe that Dumbledore is just so powerful he can do that, or that he always has a bottle of something close by, but it makes more sense to reason that Rowling did not in fact think ahead in that sense.
Rowling also had a phase where she would tweet things about the series and say that it was canon. So of course this threw the whole fandom into an uproar. It is interesting how it would change the whole point of view in the books, such as Dumbledore being in a relationship with Grindelwald. At the end of The Deathly Hallows in the King’s Cross Station, Harry suggests to Dumbledore that Grindelwald didn’t tell Voldemort the truth as a way to protect Dumbledore’s grave. The idea originally meant that Grindelwald was trying to protect his old friend, but now with this context, it means that Grindelwald was trying to protect his old lover. That idea also makes Dumbledore’s grievances with the dark arts make a lot more sense, but also a bit more uncomfortable because what if Dumbledore had chosen love over reason?
These books have always been super important in many different peoples’ lives. They’ve been something for people to lean on, a thing for people to love. The books inspired movies, and they even inspired a theme park. Recent news also suggests that the Potterheads– as fans are called– have something to look forward to… A Harry Potter T.V. Show!
