by James L. Hedges, Ph.D.
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Despite criticism by well-meaning adults that the Harry Potter novels might lure child readers to fascination with the occult, the overriding truth remains that the novels consistently warn against the practice of magic by non-magic people, including all readers of the novels. Early in the first book, Hagrid, the gatekeeper to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, where all wizards and witches must take the core requirement, Defense Against the Dark Arts, explains to Harry why magic must be kept from non-magic people: “Everyone’d be wantin’ magic solutions to their problems.” Hagrid’s explanation reveals a basic appeal of such fantasy fiction: escape from the persistent problems of our mundane world into a world of marvels, beginning with special means of travel, from broomsticks to floo powder to apparating, instant movement from one location to another. Harry’s invisibility cloak lends further appeal to this fantasy world. Most appealing is the wizard wand, useful for everything from starting fires to making others obey command. Such elements of personal “power” not surprisingly appeal to adult as well as child readers, offering entertainment as well as escapism.
And fantasy offers a third benefit to readers: moral insights into the
world by witnessing behavior in the fantasy world. The Potter novels are
true fantasy, clearly illuminating “lessons” for readers,
old and young alike.
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At the climax of the novel, Harry has determined “not to go over to the Dark Side,” instead resisting the evil Voldemort and his personal Professor Quirrell, in part because, as explained to Harry by Headmaster Dumbledore:
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