Wohlman

Chyrle A. Wohlman
Literary Criticism: 300-02
Professor Katie Kane
Due: 18 April 2013
Building a Personal Foundation of Character with Harry Potter
We've all got both light and dark inside us.
What matters is the part we choose to act on.
That's who we really are.
Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix-film
Through the ages there has been an intense controversy revolving around childrens
literature. Banning and censorship have played a large role in the literature culture since the mid
1500s. One would think in a postmodern society where video games and televisions have
become babysitters and smartphones with texting have replaced social interaction parents would
be enthusiastic at the thought of finding their child reading a book under the covers with a
flashlight. However, parents enthusiasm for their child to read recently published young adult
fiction has fallen and been replaced with shelving these novels on the American Library
Associations Banned and Challenged book list, and they are often guided by the views of
religious sects or fanatical persons in order to eliminate the immoral writing of this century.
To understand the precept behind censorship we should first start with the origin of book
banning. The article Does the Church Still Ban Books?, outlines a history of censorship that
unfolds with the Catholic Churchs stance on banning books which began with: The first Roman
Index, issued in 1559 by Pope Paul IVbanned books deemed heretical, superstitious, and
immoral or obscene, as well as entire classes of books, such as non-Catholic translations of the

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New Testament. At this time the Church was attempting to protect its parishioners ethical
standing and belief from being tainted by books that would damage the views of the church. For
four hundred years the church threatened and punished parishioners with excommunication for
selling, possessing or publishing a book that went against the churches doctrine. However, they
were not the only faction that felt the need to ban books. Within her article Censorship, Amy
McClure provides examples of laws passed in England and Massachusetts that were designed
with the premise of protecting the youth of the eighteenth century from corruption: The
Obscene Publications Act (England, 1857) was defended and passed in Parliament on the basis
of the argument that the measure was intended to apply exclusively to words written for the
single purpose of corrupting the morals of youthThe Watch and Ward Bill (Massachusetts,
1880) banned sale of publications manifestly tending to corrupt the morals of youth (22).
While centuries have passed since these doctrines were accepted the desire to protect a childs
morals has not changed. In the twenty-first century there are still factions of individuals who
feel that todays literature, and even some of the classics, are laden with moral and ethical
corruption within their pages. Books such as The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, Anne Frank: The
Diary of a Young Girl, The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, His Dark Materials Trilogy by
Philip Pullman and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling have all fallen on the American
Library Associations challenged list with concerns ranging from depressing material to magic to
violence to foul language. Understanding that criticism is an aspect of expectation of all literary
devices is accepted, yet the criticism of recent childrens literature seems to be a bit harsh.
In the article Young Adult Literature: The Problem with YA Literature, Chris Crowe has
concluded that YA books are bad because 1. They arent the classics. 2. They corrupt the
young (146). When arriving to his conclusion he took into account how some parents, teachers

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and librarians feel has come to pass for young adult literature. The preconceived notion of
todays young adult literature is that it does not challenge the reader with critical thinking skills
or provide a sense of reality. Yet when you take into account the classic novels such as The
Adventures Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain or To Kill a Mockingbird by Nelle Harper Lee the
characters and plots do not fit into todays perspective of the young adults situations or dilemmas.
As times have changed so have the plots of young adult fiction. Once the stories of a
young girl living on a prairie enduring the struggles of a barren land or the detective skills of two
young brothers who solved mysteries was enough for reading entertainment. Now young adults
want to be entertained with the fantasy of vampires, magic, changelings, werewolves and the use
of modern and futuristic technological devices. For some this is seen as a problem and criticized
as such. Shouldnt young adult literature change with the times? Children want to read books
that can influence them in the here and now. They want books with characters they can relate to
in the process of building a foundation of ethical behaviors and situational awareness. I feel that
Elaine OQuinn says it best in her article Vampires, Changelings, and Radical Mutant Teens:
What Demons, Freaks, and other Abominations of Young Adult Literature Can Teach Us About
Youth, when she describes why young adults want to read: They seek to know themselves better,
know their world better, and know what it means to be a better person (50). Young adults are
trying to find their way in this world, what better way then through literature? The series Harry
Potter has much to teach young adults through postmodern literature in the moral compass and
ethical aspects of life. Drew Chappells review of Harry Potter also brings to light the need
young readers exhibit in seeking guidance, Young adult protagonists in modernist childrens
literature and dramatic literature often find themselves without adult support as they address
social issues that are a consequence of adult hegemonic institutions and ideologies (281).

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OQuinn makes the assumption: Young people, just like adults, read for many different reasons.
They seek to know themselves better, know their world better and know what it means to be a
better person (50). I agree with her assessment in young adults wanting to be better
individuals and can learn to build character through reading.
The attributes of morals, right versus wrong, and good versus evil are portrayed in
literature dating back centuries. The young adult literature of todays age brings realistic visions
to help understand the modern world. Young adults see role models within the protagonists of
these novels, are willing to relate with them, build on their critical thinking skills and enhance
their understanding of expectations in life. I believe J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series
protagonists show the progress one can make in building a foundation of personal character.
We start off Rowlings series with Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone were we meet a
boy of ten who appears to have been abandoned by his magical brethren to be raised by his
Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley, two individuals who want nothing to do with him or the
magical community. Readers learn that Harry is seeking to find his place in a world in which he
has been abandoned and find acceptance in a world that he has never known but in which he
actually belongs. In this novel we read as Harry builds a strong bond of friendship with Ron
Weasley, his first friend ever, and Hermione Granger, all the while encountering trials and
tribulations that test the bonds of loyalty and friendship. In the end Harry does save the day with
the help of his best friends and is rewarded by Professor Dumbledore through praise and
admiration, Thirdto Mr. Harry Potter said Dumbledorefor pure nerve and outstanding
courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points (306). The moral character of courage and
loyalty is a theme that is prevalent throughout this novel. The text, in fact, encourages the reader
to follow the path and become a hero in their own right by doing good to combat the semblance

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of evil.
As Harry begins his second year at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
he encounters another creature within the magical world, Dobby an enslaved house-elf to one of
the cruelest families in the wizarding world, who is attempting to protect Harry from the danger
awaiting him at Hogwarts. An elf whose loyalty to Harry was created through rumor, Harry
Potter asks if he can help DobbyDobby has heard of your greatness, sir, but of your goodness,
Dobby never knewHarry Potter is humble and modest (15). This passage secures for the
reader the genuineness of Harrys character that is known within the wizarding world. While
reading this novel one becomes entranced with Harry and his friends as they face the trials of not
only their second year at Hogwarts but the attempt of Lord Voldemort to resurrect himself
through Rons sister, Ginny. Nevertheless, with great determination and teamwork Harry, Ron,
and Hermione are able to thwart Voldemorts efforts. The underlying themes of devotion, to
family and friends, and loyalty, to those who support you, construct a foundation of strong
character presence within this novel. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far
more than out abilities (333). This text is a profound statement in signifying that ones
cognitive ability to make the right choices in life is more valuable then ones physical abilities.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban someone Harry trusts, Mr. Weasley, informs
him that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban and that he was the one who got Lilly and
James Potter, Harrys parents, killed. Throughout the novel Harry is hoping to find Sirius to
avenge his parents death. However Harry discovers that someone else committed the offense
and is faced with the difficult decision to place his trust in the justice system or allow his dads
best friends to do away with his true betrayer, Peter Pettigrew. Harry makes the conscious
decision to let the justice system handle Pettigrew. As Pettigrew is groveling at Harrys feet

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thanking him, he tells him: Im not doing this for you. Im doing it becauseI dont reckon my
dad wouldve wanted them to become killersjust for you (376). In this novel Harry is
thirteen years old yet in this decision his actions show great maturity. One could interpret that
his determination to allow justice to be served via the system is reflective of the value-based
character Rowling is striving to develop.
While Harry is in his fourth year at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
many trials and tribulations occur. Harrys name is drawn as a Triwizard champion causing a
strain on his friendship with Ron. Harry, who doesnt understand the reasoning behind Rons
snarky comments, is enlightened by Hermione: Oh Harry, isnt it obvious?...Hes jealous!
(289). This is a common characteristic trait experienced with human existence. However with
loyalty, understanding, and acceptance they are both able to overcome this obstacle. Hermione,
with passion and determination, takes up a cause to free the enslaved house-elves. Her courage
to stand up for others freedom provides inspiration for others who wish to make a difference in
the world. At the end of this novel Harry duels with Voldemort, gains mental strength from his
dead parents, escapes from Voldemort, brings Cedrics body back from where Voldemort killed
him, and discovers that Professor Moody, someone he trusted, is actually Barty Crouch a Death
Eater working for Voldemort. Among all of the plot twists within this novel the reader can
determine that the past can help us gain strength in the present, you should never leave a friend
behind and sometimes you may trust the wrong individual but others will be there to support you
when you need it. The bond solidified during this fourth year at Hogwarts goes beyond the
boundary of Harry, Ron, and Hermiones friendship and spills over into the assemblage of a
family that includes Sirius, Lupin, Dumbledore, the Weasleys, and Moody (the real one).
At the age of fifteen the character Harry Potter has endured more on the pages of

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Rowlings novels then an imagination could have thought possible. However Rowling still
found additional ways to help her characters grow in values and beliefs. With Harry Potter and
the Order of the Phoenix the characters experience a stronger commitment for the good for all
with acts of self-sacrifice and the resurrection of The Order, individuals who stood up to
Voldemort. As Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum changes with the posting of
a new teacher (Dolores Umbridge) Hermione and Ron convince Harry into teach a group
students compelled with perseverance to prepare themselves for the future in the magical arts.
With this group of individuals came the creation of the Defense Association (D.A.) or
affectionately called Dumbledores Army. When Dumbledore is confronted by Umbridge and
Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, regarding the D.A. he claims responsibility for the
establishment of this group that Harry, Hermione and Ron had created: Well, the game is up
Would you like a written confession from me, Corneliusor will a statement before these
witnesses suffice? (618). This text offers the reader the belief that self-sacrifice can assistant
another in need, in this case Dumbledore risked imprisonment to allow Harry to continue his
journey to defeat Voldemort. Sadly this is not the only instance of self-sacrifice in this novel.
Harry, under the impression that Voldemort has Sirius held captive and is torturing him, travels to
the Ministry of Magic with Hermione, Ron, Luna, Neville, and Ginny to rescue Sirius. During
the battle between The Order members and the Death Eaters, Bellatrix Lestrange curses Sirius
and Harry loses another family member. Harrys willingness to sacrifice his life to save someone
he loves is a strong indicator of the person he has grown to be. This novel, although filled with
sadness, offers the reader the principle that a foundation of love is an indestructible bond.
As the reader embarks on the sixth year of Harrys time at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and
the Half-Blood Prince one is left to wonder what additional moralistic wisdom can he learn.

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Found within this novel are some of the darkest character traits of Harry in his journey. Within
these pages we see him become cunning in hopes of entrapping Professor Slughorn into giving
up information of Voldemort as a student. We read as he becomes selfish in his desire to not
share the used Advanced Potions Making book, property of the half-blood prince, with Ron and
Hermione. Harry uses a hand written spell from the potions book, which no one has heard of,
against Draco Malfoy and would have seriously injured him if Snape had not discovered them.
Through this all his friends continue to support him and help him understand that the path he is
walking is not one he would normally have chosen. However, his continual distrust of Draco
and Snape grows more prevalent as he sneaks around the hallways of Hogwarts eavesdropping
on their conversations. As the ending of this novel draws near one would be persuaded to
believe Harrys suspicions when Draco confronts Dumbledore with the intent to kill him,
however he waivers and Snape murders him instead. Although the end of this novel brings about
the distrust and anger felt due to betrayal one can see how if you begin down the wrong path you
can change course and forgiveness is available to those whom seek it.
In the final installment of the series, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Harry, Ron
and Hermione travel in search of horcruxes, objects that hold a part of Voldemorts soul within
them, to destroy them and in turn destroy Voldemort. They again are faced with challenges of
their friendship when Ron leaves the group upset with the lack of progress they are making.
Harry finds an ally with Draco when he is facing possible death at the hands of Bellatrix. Then
Harry learns what Snapes true motivation in the battle between good and evil is, his love for
Harrys mother and his devastation over her death. The reader learns that loyalty is a strong
commitment to uphold even in the darkest of times. As the novel ends Harry accepts his fate and
in one final self-sacrificing scene prepares to die as he confronts Voldemort. However love is a

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powerful instrument. Catherine and David Deaval in their article Character, Choice, and Harry
Potter provide an excellent explanation of Harrys unseen mark: His parents sacrifice of love
marks Harry more deeply and formatively than his magical talents or even than the lightening
bold scar on his forehead (58). The love of a parent is stronger then any love around. Lilly and
James love for Harry and the sacrifice of their lives for his, is what saved him seventeen years
ago and again in this final novel.
In their article Character, Choice, and Harry Potter, Catherine and David Deaveal
summarize J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series as: Harry Potter is not really about magic, but
about character (50). I agree with their assessment. Young adults do have the ability to build
character through reading. We can envision this through the seven-year span of novels in which
Harry, Ron and Hermione have built a friendship based on trust, loyalty, determination,
understanding, strength, forgiveness and love. All of these are foundational attributes to strong
character development. In the article by Sara Ann Beach and Elizabeth Harden Willner, The
Power of Harry: The Impact of J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter Books on Young Readers a young
reader named Nathan states: The thing that I like about the story is that it teaches you that if you
need something you have to work for it (106). Readers of these novels gain the knowledge of
the essentials of courage, willingness of self-sacrifice, responsibility, support, and teamwork.
Dumbledore says it best in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: " that it matters not what
someone is born, but what they grow to be (708).

Works Cited

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10

Beach, Sara Ann, and Elizabeth Harden Willner. "The Power Of Harry: The Impact Of J. K.
Rowling's Harry Potter Books On Young Readers." World Literature Today: A Literary
Quarterly Of The University Of Oklahoma 76.1 (2002): 102-106. MLA International
Bibliography. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.
Crowe, Chris. "Young Adult Literature: The Problem with YA Literature." The English Journal
90.3 (2001): 146-50. JSTOR. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
Deavel, Catherine J., and David P. Deavel. "Character, Choice, and Harry Potter." A Journal of
Catholic Thought and Culture 5.4 (2002): 49-64. Project Muse. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.
McClure, Amy. "Censorship." Children's Literature Association Quarterly 8.1 (1983): 22-25.
Project Muse. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
O'Quinn, Elaine J. "Vampires, Changelings, and Radical Mutant Teens: What the Demons,
Freaks, and Other Abominations of Young Adult Literature Can Teach Us About Youth."
The ALAN Review 31.3 (2004): 50-56. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic, 1998. Print.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York: Scholastic, 2001. Print.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New York: Scholastic, 2002. Print.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. New York: Arthur A. Levine, 2003. Print.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. New York: Scholastic, 2006. Print.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York: Arthur A. Levine, 2007. Print.
Schlumpfl, Heidi. "Does the Church Still Ban Books?" USCatholic.org. USCatholic.org, 17
Sept. 2010. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.