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SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 at 3:16 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPfGU
Edmund M. Kern, associate professor of history at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, updates us on the release of his new book, "The Wisdom of Harry Potter: What Our Favorite Hero Teaches Us About Moral Choices."
Originally posted to Harry Potter for GrownUps
Hi everyone,
I've begun to receive some questions about the availability of my book, The Wisdom of Harry Potter, so please permit me a bit of shameless self-promotion: it is now available in some bookstores or can be ordered online.
Here's some information about the book for those of you who may be interested:
Since the 1997 release of J.K. Rowling's first novel -- HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE -- no series of children's books has been more incredibly popular or widely influential. How do we explain the enormous appeal of these stories to children? Should parents welcome this new interest in reading among their kids or worry, along with the critics, that the books encourage either moral complacency or a perverse interest in witchcraft and the occult?
In this original interpretation of the Harry Potter sensation, Edmund M. Kern argues that the attraction of these stories to children comes not only from the fantastical elements embedded in the plots, but also from their underlying moral messages. Children genuinely desire to follow Harry as he confronts a host of challenges in an uncertain world, because of his desire to do the right thing. Harry's coherent yet flexible approach to dealing with evil reflects an updated form of Stoicism, says Kern. He argues that Rowling's great accomplishment in these books is to have combined imaginative fun with moral seriousness.
Kern's comprehensive evaluation of the Harry Potter stories in terms of ethical questions reveals the importance of uncertainty and ambiguity in Rowling's imaginative world and highlightrs her call to meet them with virtues such as constancy, endurance, perseverance, self-discipline, reason, solidarity, empathy, and sacrifice. Chidren comprehend that growing up entails some perplexity and pain, that they cannot entirely avoid problems, and that they can remain constant in circumstances beyond their control. In essence, Harry shows them how to work through their problems, rather than seek ways around them. Despite the fantastical settings and events of Harry's adventures, children are quick to realize that they are just a fictional reflection of the confusing and disturbing circumstances found in the real world.
Kern also shows adults how much they can gain by discussing with children the moral conundrums faced by Harry and other characters. The author outlines the central morals of each book; considers the common critiques of the books; discusses Rowling's skillful blend of history, legend, and myth; and raises important questions for guiding children through Harry's adventures.
This fresh, instructive, and upbeat guide to Harry Potter gives parents a wealth of useful and educational information for discussing the moral implications of this continuously popular series of books with their children.
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Head Boy
Points: 483
thegodwatcher says:
Just one question...What is a conundrum? It sounds like some kind of problem to me. Other wise the books sounds interesting. Good job mate.
Tom
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 3:33 PM EST
Student
Points: 257
witch_hazel says:
Harry Potter for Adults? Conundrum? Too many words! I'm getting confused...blarch!
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 4:43 PM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37939
tonks black says:
Erm..whos book exactly was that? the way it was written it sounded like cheeser's. anyways. it sounds cool.
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 4:43 PM EST
Headmaster
(Moderator)
Cheeser says:
tonks black: Yeah, I modified it a bit after agreeing with your post. Sorry about that! It's written by Edmund Kern, and looks pretty interesting to me.
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 4:49 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2874
Chogiiiirl says:
This sounds like a great book for parents to read, especially those that have some concerns about Harry and the book series in general. I think this Edmund Kern has actually gotten things right about JK'work. Her stories are so well written, that even the fantasy is believable. She also parallels Harry's "magical" world to the realities and hardships that we will all face. I would definately read this book.
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 5:28 PM EST
Supreme Mugwump
Points: 2893
S.P.E.W. fan says:
So many are quick to assume that to obsession with HP is an obsession with the occult. Bravo for those smart enough to recognize what kids(and some adults) already do!
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 6:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 712
harryroxmysocks says:
Ah, thats confusing. I'll just stick to reading the books and not thinking about the wisdom behind it.
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 6:26 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 603
Padfoot7 says:
Harry teaches GREAT messages and morals and similiar things. My favorite from book five: "There is no black and white. It's not that you're either a death-eater or a good guy."- PERFECT MESSAGE! When I was little, that was a hard one for me to grasp.
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 6:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
Yes Harry does teach many important moral lessons. But I can figure it out by my lonesome.
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 6:42 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 333
HarryPotterNutcase says:
Ahh this guy's okay...cant say thats why i really read harry potter but maybe its some subconcious thing that i dont notice :-P at least he's not another hater
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 8:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 733
PotterHoney says:
Yeah! Don't hate, Liberate! Finally, someone who understands....:)
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 8:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
HPN4eveRon says:
Those books do teach me a lot. I agree with the other posts. Sounds cool, yet, kinda confuseing...
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 8:30 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 435
AvedisZildjians says:
Interesting book. Perhaps I'll glance at it while visiting Barnes & Noble. It has already been said but I'd like to reiterate the fact that Kern certainly knows what he's talking about and appears to actually have read the books (Gasp! This is a new concept for Harry Potter critics!) and understood them. Props to this guy and his great vocabulary!
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 9:31 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
I think there is no need of a special book to know the wisdmom of Hp, but it's good if someone has written one to fight the occult lot!
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 9:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
Prongs150 says:
This guy has just made my list of best-critics-ever for HP. He seems to understand JKR's ways better than most, including the readers. The only thing I can find wrong with his book is that no small child would ever understand what he writes. Despite that, way to go Mr.Kern.
Posted Sep 2, 2003 at 10:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1990
HarrysGran says:
Hurray, at last someone who understands what HP is all about! But has it to be that academic/scholary?
What's great about HP is that it can be read by kids and adults alike. But this book I fear is strictly aimed at adult readers, and that's a pity. Younger ones may want to discover the wisdom of Harry too? But *smile*, I think young and old HPers already grasped the wisdom, cause that's why we are reading the books (again and again). Not because of any occult things, but because of the beauty and magic of the books.
Nevertheless, I would like to read this book!
Posted Sep 3, 2003 at 1:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
I have no problem with my children reading the books (but they are too young - can't read that well yet!!) and watching the movies. They know fiction when they see it, and can ask me questions about anything that confuses them. I like to know they can come to ME when they have questions. It's good practice for when they are older, and have more difficult decisions to make, and more important issues that they need to discuss.
Posted Sep 10, 2003 at 10:42 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 64
serious-sirius says:
harrysgran: maybe the reason it is aimed at adults is because they are the ones buying the books and giving them to the kids. If the adults (parents emphasized) see that the books have some moral teachings that that will benefit there kids then they will get them the books. I for one would like to read this book, if I only had the time...
Posted Sep 10, 2003 at 1:36 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1092
quidditch_queen says:
Hello, harryjames_potter: I agree with you.
Posted Sep 14, 2003 at 10:46 AM EST
Supreme Mugwump
Points: 2893
S.P.E.W. fan says:
Morality and ethics are such a strong component to the novels(it's amazing too me that anyone could really think that it might be a bad inluence).
Posted Oct 7, 2003 at 9:30 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2034
Professor Snape says:
That book does sound interesting, I wonder where on the web I would go to find it??
Posted Nov 12, 2003 at 9:27 AM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
J.K. Rowling writes with some experience, so there are definetly morals and principles involved. The books are honestly very good mysteries, I always wonder what's going on because there is a twist. I think the plot makes the books very intersting, but Harry Potter is a moral character wanting to make the right decisions.
Posted Dec 20, 2003 at 12:24 AM EST
Points: 927
ChelCho says:
We all know that Harry shows moral fiber, he has even been told so.
Only the kids whose parents don't show them any guidance are the ones making bad choices.
Posted Jan 7, 2004 at 4:23 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
Yes, I agree there are underlying messages in the harry potter books such as the thing with mudbloods and purebloods.
Posted Feb 20, 2004 at 7:42 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1155
MissMaryPotter says:
Old news felt like posting... people should really concider keeping all kinds of religion out of HP, it would save the world needless aggrivation and blame...
Posted Mar 2, 2004 at 11:51 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
I love this article and yes miss mary its nice to post in the old articles to read more about the harry potter news i didnt' see.
Posted Mar 28, 2004 at 10:43 PM EST
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