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The Morals in Harry Potter
by Farah Weheba
June 11, 2004
When J.K. Rowling first released the Harry Potter books, they became the most popular yet most controversial books that people had come across in a long time. Books usually nourish a child's imagination and stimulate their development in maturity. While the Harry Potter books did this, they also introduced an idea that disturbed some overprotective parents: witchcraft and wizardry.
These parents were concerned that their children would lose their faith in their current religion, and start brewing up evil ideas and spells and start worshipping dark spirits. The idea of their children learning of such things caused some parents to forbid their children from reading about or discussing any witchcraft, depriving them of reading a truly enchanting and exuberant collection of books.
While the main character in the book, Harry, does attend a school of witchcraft and wizardry, the school is not the center of attention when it comes to seeing the main ideas of the books. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the idea behind Harry's victory against Lord Voldemort is that love can triumph over any amount of evil, even the strongest and most powerful. This message is neither immoral, nor malevolent in any way. In the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry unearths that evil can hide in any form or shape, even in his best friend's little sister. This demonstrates how people should always be cautious and aware of dangers. This moral might make a difference in a child's decision to avoid a dangerous situation.
In the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry uncovers that people who appear to be guilty are sometimes innocent, and people who appear to be innocent are sometimes guilty when he finds that Sirius is innocent, and Peter Pettigrew is the one who is really a traitor. This teaches that one should never be quick to judge, a valuable lesson for a reader to learn. Morals much like these are found in the fourth and fifth books, and are likely to appear in the upcoming books as well.
In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry is selected to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. Readers of the book who happen to be athletes may marvel at the idea of such a challenging tournament, testing athleticism, along with intellect, courage, and endurance. Quidditch, undoubtedly, is a sport like no other, where the best flyers compete internationally in the Quidditch World Cup. Many strive to someday compete professionally at a certain sport, much like Quidditch players at Hogwarts.
On a more political note, Hermione is disgusted with the treatment of House elves. In a historical point of view, House elves are much like slaves; only most of them choose to work for their masters because they are not independent enough to think for themselves. House elves only feel good about an action they have taken when their master has approved it or commanded it. Hermione believes that even though they aren't human, they are to be treated with the same amount of respect. She takes action and tries to make a difference in the way House elves are treated. Hermione tries to free as many of them as she can by leaving clothing around the Hogwarts common rooms, and wherever else they might find it. Hermione felt unsatisfied with her society's harsh treatment towards House elves, so she decided to do something about it. Her determination is inspiring to any reader that feels unsatisfied with the treatment of someone, or the limited rights of a specific community. Hermione represents all the readers who wish to make a difference in the way society discriminates against the weak.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , Harry struggles to cope with the death of his Godfather, Sirius. Many readers may have experienced a similar situation, losing a parent, a relative, or a close friend. Sirius was Harry's confidant, and the closest thing he had to a parent. Readers trying to cope with grief could find comfort in knowing that it wasn't exactly an easy task for Harry, even though he is powerful.
The Harry Potter series has positive influences on children's decisions. They do not once mention that readers should worship or practice evil. In fact, the Harry Potter books feature the main character constantly battling the evil forces of Lord Voldemort. Most of the characters in the story are too afraid to even utter the dark lord's name. These examples clearly discourage readers from affiliating with evil.
The Harry Potter series is a positive and imaginative collection of moral and excitement. Parents that are depriving their children of the valuable opportunity of reading about Harry Potter are depriving their children of expanding their knowledge, creativity, and interest in reading. Harry Potter is not in any way influential on a reader's worshipping habits, beliefs, or decisions to take evil actions. People in today's society are smart enough and independent enough to be held responsible for their own actions, without having to blame them on fictional characters in a book.
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