Ea300

The aim of this essay is to discuss the relationship between instruction and delight in relation to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.   It will begin with a short summary of J.K. Rowling’s novel and will then continue to discuss issues of power and politics between adults and children at a particular time and place.   It will look at themes in the novel and the impact this has on the reader.It will finally summarise the points raised within the essay.
Harry Potter an eleven year old boy, living with his aunt and uncle after the tragic death of his parents learns that he is actually a wizard.   Harry is offered a place in the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizards. Harry, already famous from an incident at birth soon makes friends. His adventure continues when Harry realises not all wizards can be trusted.
As cited by Hunt p.15, most writers deliberate or not impose their ideas and views of the world in their books.   He continues to suggest that children’s literature is a power struggle between adults and children as most parents, teachers screen what children read therefore gaining control over text available to them.   Many authors claim they write simply to delight the reader however manipulatively or not they express their social, political and moral beliefs onto’ imperfect instruments’ (Hunt, 2009, p15). It would be foolish to believe all children interpret text in a universal way; understanding depends on the individual child’s beliefs and culture (Hunt, 2009, p13). J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter has been criticised for introducing ideas of witchcraft and disobedience in the philosopher’s stone however I believe themes such as love, good versus evil, free will and courage which influences the reader in a positive way. Hunt p.15, suggests Rowling has a close empathy with the reader, I agree Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone is entertaining for the reader.
Hunt argues; there is no use comparing a children’s book to an adult’s, the two are not...