Monday, August 8, 2011

WEEK 4

Why does the religious right in the US condemn fantasy, according to Cockrell (2004)? On what grounds does Cockrell defend fantasy literature, using Harry Potter as an example?

Religious groups in the US continue to publicly express their complete disapproval of the fantasy genre. It is the literal interpreters of the Christian bible who feel that fantasy literature is ‘deceit’. Deceit defined as a dishonest act essentially means a lie and so through fantasy children will learn how to lie (an evil act). Studies by Taylor and Carlson have shown that these fundamentalist parents regard fantasy as a creation of imaginative friends that in turn is an association with the devil. Parents condemn fantasy, on these grounds that they must protect their children from the devil.

Cockrell (2006) believes there are two main reasons for such unreserved judgment towards the low-level fantasy series ‘Harry Potter’. Firstly, she believes that Rowling’s decision to place Harry in the world that we live in is far too close to comfort for the ‘Pottor-phobic’ religions. According to Cockrell (2006), Christian fundamentalists assume,

‘…that the monsters and miracles of the bible are literally true, in all their ferocious splendor, then the unseen world must indeed exist, and the seperation of fact from fiction that deals with that world becomes shaky.’

This provides an insight into why Harry Potter is causing such a reaction. These anti-fantasy groups can see this parallel world as the literal reality of evil and are scared of it.

Secondly, Cockrell (2006), believes that characters in Harry Potter such as the Dursleys are ‘skillfully parodied’ versions of Rowling’s detractors. Rowling makes fun of these characters, dishonours them and questions their believes. Fundamentalists who condemn Rowling’s work can see these characters as an attack on there religion or an attack on figures who should not be questioned and try to shield their children from ‘the voice of Satan’.

Cockrell (2006), defends the fantasy genre through claiming that Harry Potter’s central idea is…

‘…mystery, which many theologians of the more experimental stripe tell us is God. For this reason, liberal theologians have no trouble with Harry. Harry frightens only those who want the answers to be the same every time the question is asked. In Rowling’s world, the answer is not the same.’

Cockrell, A. (2006). Harry Potter and the witch hunters: a social context for the attacks on Harry Potter in The journal of American culture, 29(1)

1 comment:

  1. You went into detail quite nicely and addressed the question spot on. It is a shame though that fundamentalist Christian families and others alike slam Harry Potter based on their extreme views. I can see from where they're coming from but honestly, there are other things to consider out there instead of just Harry Potter if the issue is focussed on a child's Christian/spiritual wellbeing. Well that's just what I think and the list goes on. What are your thoughts?

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