Posts tagged ‘Shared’
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‘Harry Potter and the Islamization of America.’ (Hat Tip to Grant!)
There are points I find unlikely in this American Thinker piece, most notably that Ms. Rowling was writing either a tit-for-tat historical allegory of the Second World War’s European theatre or a satire of the present day denial of danger concerning Islamic terrorists. What I think is undeniable in this writer’s argument is that Harry Potter, as the Shared Text of this generation of readers, ages “nine to ninety,” is the perfect vehicle to score political points via creative exegesis. Everyone knows the stories so mavens of every stripe can speak to their respective flocks using their language and power as touchstones of their ideological positions.
Look for a repeat of “Republicans for Voldemort 2012″ on bumper stickers in your neighborhood soon.
China on the Brink of Bankruptcy is a recent article on The Catholic Reporter, of all places, where we can read about “Politics and Culture from a Catholic Perspective.” The article clin
cher? Not what you might expect in a traditionalist Catholic voice-on-line:
Go here to read [the original article on Chinese money woes] at The Epoch Times. If the Obama administration is thinking that the Chinese will buy our increasingly worthless debt as far as the eye can see, they had better readjust their options. Perhaps Gringotts might be in the mood to buy paper from Uncle Sam?
H/T Peony!
This just in: Rupert Murdoch to buy The Daily Prophet!
This, at any rate, is what’s reported in an article in Slate (7/11/2011). Jack Shafer, the magazine’s editor-at-large, has written a rather scathing column comparing the media oligarch to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. With a headline calling Murdoch ‘the Dark Lord of Media’, Shafer reveals more than passing knowledge of Potterlore in writing his critique:
The more obvious acquisition for Murdoch would be the Quibbler, an off-the-wall tabloid given to half-baked conspiracy theories. But Murdoch has experience in reshaping prestigious or dominant newspapers, such as the Times of London and theWall Street Journal, to his design. So rejiggering the Prophet, the establishment voice in the wizard world, to a more popular format shouldn’t be too difficult for him.
He also covets the Prophet for its “Protean Charm” technology, which allows the placement of changing type on newsprint. Another Prophet technology makes video images on newsprint possible. Murdoch, a supreme risk-taker, hopes to adapt these technologies to other titles in his worldwide portfolio and revolutionize the newspaper business.
[...]
The Prophet has enjoyed a reputation as a staid newspaper under editor Barnabas Cuffe. Highly influenced by the Ministry of Magic, it was almost governmental in its approach to the news. But the Prophet was inconsistent in its Potter coverage, alternately heralding him as savior and menace, especially after being spun by the corrupted Ministry of Magic. The paper rejected evidence that the evil Lord Voldemort had returned and libeled both Potter and Albus Dumbledore.
[...]
My source tells me that Murdoch has promised Cuffe he can keep his job as the Prophet‘s editor after the sale goes through. The genocidal tyrant almost never makes good on such promises of editorial independence, so my sources say it’s likely that he will appoint [Rita] Skeeter the editor of the Prophet within the year to infuse it with a tabloid spirit.
The whole article is here, and includes part of an interview with, it seems Ms Skeeter herself. It’s irresistible to speculate just why this article follows Rowling’s depiction of the news media as closely as it does–replacing, however, the self-serving goons at the Ministry of Magic with the Dark Lord himself. Voldemort seems to appear rather frequently in shared text situations–perhaps because he’s an easily recognized stereotype, or at least mistaken for one?
(H/T to Travis Prinzi for the link.)
I spend more time answering mail, believe it or not, than I do writing blog posts, which is understandable. Responding to kind letters — and most of the e-owls I get are very kind — is a treat and putting together my thoughts here requires significantly more effort. Answering mail is easier, too, in that there is almost always a specific question or three to focus on and respond to quickly.
Sometimes, though, the mail includes a remarkable item that throws new light on the depth of the Hogwarts Saga as a cultural phenomenon, even a game changer. The notes below the jump from a Family Therapist reminds me what a boon the decision to include my email address in each of my books has been. More after you read the therapist’s notes –
Dear John,
I just wanted to send you a quick note to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your book, How Harry Cast His Spell. I’ve loved the Harry Potter series and, in reading your book, have a deeper understanding as to why. To understand more about the christian symbolism and meaning behind the stories offers me a deeper appreciation of what J.K. Rowling created. Your book also offers me a better answer to the frustrating people I’ve met who refused to crack the book (and worse, refused their children the experience) on the basis of religious belief. These stories speak to the very essence of being human, struggling with what’s right and wrong and making the tough choice, even at great personal cost.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I’ve used the books to help clients (especially the children I see in a family setting) confront topics such as grief and loss, depression, and betrayal. I love the imagery of things like Dementors, the Mirror of Erised, and the Sorting Hat, because I’ve found its the images from a session, shared in metaphors, that stick with people. They become the touchstones of therapy that people hold onto long after their time in therapy is complete.
The moment in Dumbledore’s office at the end of Chamber of Secrets that is echoed in the Epilogue of Deathly Hallows is perhaps my favorite passage and one I’ve read to clients frequently. It is not our skills or abilities (or even our circumstances) that define us. It is our choices that make all the difference in the world.
So, thanks again for an excellent and challenging read. It has only deepened my love of the Harry Potter series that, in a few years (my children are 4 and 2), I look forward to sharing with and discussing with my own family.
Thanks,
[Name Withheld]
From the same therapist (with identifying details removed):
John,
Not sure if you are interested, but I thought I’d share a moment from a counseling session last night.
I was talking with a man who was struggling with the breakup of a romantic relationship. He seemed to be ruminating over it and this rumination was contributing to a depressed state, shutting him off from life.
I asked him if he were aware of the Harry Potter series and he had never read the books and had only seen the Chamber of Secrets movie (and hadn’t liked it very much). So, given his circumstances, I shared with him the image of the Resurrection Stone and some of Dumbledore’s comments about how it could be misused. I suggested to him that he was in relationship with a memory of his love rather than actually loving someone real.
His words? “Doc, you have just blown my mind!”
Yet another example of how images and stories, told well, create a profound impact on those who hear/read them.
My best,
[Name Withheld]
Three quick comments before asking for your reflections:
(1) This isn’t a discovery or anything innovative on the therapist’s part, however insightful and thoughtful I think this person is. Psychologists have been discussing their use of the Potter novels in helping clients since at least 2001 (see ‘Harry Potter and the Shrinks’). It hasn’t been universally embraced; some Harry Haters have decided this use is just one more sign of Ms. Rowling’s demonic quest (see ‘Psychobabble’s New Bible’). But it has been part of the counselor’s tool kit for some time. Whole books have been written about the utility of Harry’s experiences in grief counseling.
(2) Having said that, this continued use speaks to its effectiveness which points in turn first to the ubiquity of the story. If you read the ‘Shrinks’ AP report from 2001, you know that the tool worked because therapists were able to ask questions about characters their troubled clients and patients knew well, even identified with. Except for profound engagement that was a commonplace among many people essentially illiterate, the use of the books in therapy is not possible or effective.
(3) This second note from the therapist, though, points out the value of the symbols, images, and story line of the Saga in use with people seeking help who are not familiar with the books or even those who don’t like them. as my correspondent notes, this is no small testimony to the power of story well told in general and to the ‘wow’ quality of Ms. Rowling’s work specifically.
Your comments and corrections are coveted, as always.
As I was recently browsing the local classifieds, I nearly dropped the paper when I came across these two entries back to back. I have been sorely tempted to call the number of the second ad and ask for Dolores! I’m fairly certain the folks at the local paper probably didn’t put these two together on purpose, but it’s fun to think so.
In related news, this fun Dilbert cartoon makes a great reference to our friends with the charming snake and skull tattoos, but, I have a little issue here; maybe it’s just me, but the description of the deadly cubicle color sounds more like it should be “dementor” instead of “Death Eater” gray.
This, of course, begs the question. When a text becomes “shared text,” is part of that process necessarily seeing it mangled or misrepresented (how many people think Juliet is asking where Romeo is under her balcony instead of questioning the irony that he should be named Montague?) What other “left-handed” allusions (or even unintentional ones!) have we seen cropping up as our shared text gets references in an ever-widening variety of places? Now I’m back to the classifieds to see if there’s an ad for used brooms and sports equipment that mentions calling and asking for “Ludo.”
“I’ll explain it to you. And I’ll use small words so you’ll be sure to understand.” The Princess Bride
Standardized tests are generally considered so terrifying that only “IRS” could be considered a scarier acronym than “SAT,” but Brian Leaf takes the big test to our favorite movies and gives us a big tub of popcorn to make learning frequently tested vocabulary as fun and effortless as a Saturday matinee. In Name that Movie: A Painless Vocabulary Builder, Leaf uses the approach that he has taken in Defining Twilight, Defining New Moon, Defining Eclipse, and Defining Breaking Dawn: he delves into the stories we already know and love and pulls out the words we ought to know.
Name that Movie comes in two editions: the Romantic Comedy and Drama volume, and the Comedy and Action one. Each edition features 100 excerpts from popular films, including 
the cinematic adaptations of many of the stories we discuss here, such as the Harry Potter and Twilight films. The text is organized into groups which each include an unidentified section of dialogue with key vocabulary words in boldface. Then there is a list of the words with space for the reader to speculate on the meaning of each one. On the next page, readers will find the name of the film, hints about figuring out the vocabulary, fun movie facts (did you know 22 different dogs were used in Marley and Me?) and definitions for the words.
There is a little quiz after each ten groups to test one’s prowess with the words so far. The quizzes address word parts and synonyms to help readers get a complete insight into each of the sometimes daunting terms that actually crop up all over the place at the movies. The books also each feature a glossary of all the terms covered.
While some of us here will immediately recognize lines spoken by the incomparable Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, other quips may be less familiar (since I can’t claim to have ever made it through more than 30 seconds of an Austin Powers movie, myself.) Though the target audience is, of course, students prepping for those big tests, film fans who also enjoy big 
words will have a great time with this fun guides. I was a little confused by seeing some movies in both editions, but then, it really is hard to decide if Twilight goes in Action or Drama, no? And that treasure trove of fabulous big words, The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, could be easily classed as comedy, action, or drama, savvy?
Aside from being nifty and well-organized books that will make super gifts for anybody pondering additional excursions into education, these texts also attest to our frequently stated thought that shared texts, like Harry Potter, can reach into all aspects of life. Thanks, Mr. Leaf, for pointing that out in so entertaining a fashion. Now, pass that popcorn, the remote, and that Oxford English Dictionary! Action!
A better episode from the same series with a Quidditch reference (embed function disabled, alas) can be found here and here’s the actress who plays Penny talking about her love of Harry Potter. H/T to Lynn!