Why do we
Like Harry Potter? There’s magic, it’s an underdog story, battling of good and
evil, but there have been a lot of books contain the same elements and have not
reached Harry Potters popularity. I
think a reason that this story has become so popular is the experience it
provides in the book, and the opportunities to experience the story in our
Muggle world.
The Harry Potter series create a world that is magical, but still
relatable enough that it can draw in an audience. The students have high school
problems. They have sports and clubs, and worry about tests. The society they
live in is a lot like ours with banks and shopping but enhanced with magic. There
is a feeling that the Wizarding world is not far away from ours. The students' experience, not with magic, is not that distance from what most of us have gone
through in high school or understand.
 |
| http://giphy.com/gifs/aJICYlVnr6yBy |
 |
| http://leicesterlovegoods.tumblr.com/page/3 Quidditch |
 |
| http://evgeniasummer.deviantart.com/art/Hermione-GIF-195599689 |
The fun thing about Harry
Potter is that we people have really been invited into that world, and not just
through reading the texts. So much has been created so fans and other people
can experience the ideas of the world. We want to identify ourselves by the
house we might belong to, and Pottermore provides us with that source helping
to feel more connected with the characters and houses. I talked about it in
class, but the park at Universal really was an experience and I suggest
everyone go at some point. It was so much fun walking around into the stores
and shops that you read about it and seeing this world that has been created.
The rides were fun, but the atmosphere was what was really special about the
park.
 |
| http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lO8ulaMnM70/ Hogsmeade |
 |
| http://goldarina-wallace.tumblr.com/post/21393464536 Pottermore |
I think all the outside
influences of websites, fanfictions, shopping, the park, and Quidditch is what
has made the Harry Potter series
remain popular, and not be as easily forgotten. It’s not a passive story we
read, but a world that fans can be actively engaged in imaginative ways.
 |
| http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/File:OWL_carrying_a_message.gif |
There are so many ways for fans of Harry Potter to be involved. Pottermore, Universal Studios, the books themselves, the movies, and all of the fan art, writing, quizzes, videos, etc. Many fandoms have the last few, but none have anything close to Pottermore or a theme park. It definitely adds to the experience and would be a good reason for why it's so popular -- though it was incredibly popular before the movies and all the other things, so there's obviously something inherent in the story itself.
ReplyDeleteBefore this class I had never really realized how large and intricate the Harry Potter fandom was. There are tons of stuff that fans can get involved with, that they have created. I think you right about what has made it grow so much. Those common experiences behind the magic make the magic seem more real. I guess it is easier to picture a potions class and get emotionally connected with the students if you see them cramming for a test.
ReplyDeleteYour idea about an 'active' story is an interesting one and one that I definitely agree with. Jo Rowling's world truly is not one for the passing observer; the amount of detail she uses to describe the littlest of things goes so far for the readers and fans that it's incredible. Take Honeydukes for example: Blood Pops, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Licorice wands, These are all concrete candies created for Wizarding children because even though magic, they need sweets too. And that's incredible.
ReplyDelete