11/20/01
Following is a story lead and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address this topic. Feel free to contact the sources directly.
UNI instructor urges parents to consider Harry Potter's good traits
While children are enthusiastically singing the praises of Harry Potter and his adventures, some parents are worried. Certain pundits, among them Fletcher A. Brothers, leader of Freedom Village U.S.A., a faith-based home for troubled teens, maintain that Harry Potter is evil incarnate. And a school in Tennessee has banned Potter books altogether. The concern is that Potter, who is a wizard, will influence children negatively and lead them to believe that the pursuit of sorcery is a noble or laudable endeavor.
Gina Burkart, a UNI instructor who is writing a textbook built around the Harry Potter novels, says the books and the movie could well be blessings in disguise. "Throughout the books -- and the movie -- Harry is confronted with lots of real-life issues like peer pressure. These books present an opportunity for children to discuss those situations and develop critical-thinking skills " she said. "And the movie really offers parents a chance to discuss religious allegories. God and religion aren't mentioned specifically, but there are opportunities to discuss those issues as a result of situations raised in the movie."
Contact:
Gina Burkart, instructor, Department of English, (319) 273-5856
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761