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July 15, 2009Harry Potter and the Vampire Battle
Yet another reason for evangelicals to embrace the boy wizard.
No, I'm not talking about Severus Snape and his vampiric qualities. Last night's midnight opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the latest installment in the blockbuster book-movie franchise, brought with it comparisons to another teen fantasy phenomenon, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series.
The sixth Harry Potter film features front and center the budding hormones of the now-16-year-old wizards, but, compared with Meyer's vampire oeuvre, J. K. Rowling's Harry seems downright innocent - a phrase rarely attached to the magical tales, at least among many evangelicals.
The "question" of Harry Potter - good fun, or evil vehicle for witchcraft? - has circulated through Christian culture since the first movie introduced the boy wizard to the mainstream in 2001. Eight years later - years that have brought the series' conclusion and Rowling's admission that her Christian faith deeply influenced her work - many evangelicals still oppose the book's positive portrayal of witchcraft and wizardry, fearing it gives curious children an entry point into the occult.
Christianity Today magazine has weighed in on the controversy; I personally believe the books are not only harmless, but can also deepen our faith by engaging our hearts and minds in an epic story that explores some very biblical ideas, a la Tolkien and Lewis. The series' conclusion relies heavily on Christian imagery (I'll stop there to avoid spoiling Deathly Hallows' incredibly powerful finale), and in the end, we see that the spells and potions are merely plot devices to depict themes of good vs. evil, the importance of sacrifice, and the power of love. Even the Vatican has stepped out in support of Half-Blood Prince, giving the film a surprising two thumbs up to its treatment of adolescent love.
The fact that the Vatican even commented on this represents the new realities of a "post-Twilight" world. About a month ago, I made my way through Meyer's four-book series about vampires, werewolves, and the girl who loves them. Perhaps that is not generous enough to the books; I may have "made my way through" the first book, but I completely devoured the remaining three, despite what I found to be horrible writing and a thin plot. Really, these books are all about the boys. It's the romantic tension that pushes the characters and the plot forward. These famously chaste vampires/werewolves/humans are completely intoxicated with each other, thinking about little else but the love (and lust) they have for each other. It's all-consuming, obsessive, and very unhealthy.
When I finished the books, it was difficult to fight the feeling that I was incomplete until I found an Edward (or, in my case, Jacob). And I was actively fighting the false ideals presented in the novels. While Harry Potter fans will certainly head to the theaters in droves, by tapping directly into the hormonal vein of teenage girls, Twilight fever is still on the rise. Potter fans may have created their own musical genre, but "Twi-hards," as they are called, will now have their own TV show devoted to news about the series.
So, is Harry Potter as "hot" as Twilight? A lot of people will be asking that question as the box office numbers roll in during the coming weeks. But as the Harry Potter demographic ages - Quidditch is now an intercollegiate sport - the Twilight phenomenon seems to grow younger with every passing day. One quote in a Wall Street Journal comparison of the two franchises' marketing plans particularly worried me:
Haami Nyangibo, a 13-year-old girl from London, says that after years of reading "Harry Potter" she has come to find the "Twilight" books "far more relatable. They just engage in a more realistic way. A lot of my friends have gone off ‘Harry Potter' and are onto ‘Twilight,'" she says.
I'm observing the same thing among the teenagers I work with in my church's youth group. While I'm all for enjoying a good story, I worry that the unrealistic romantic ideals of the Twilight series - that romantic love should consume every other part of your life, that you can't live without your "other half" - is ultimately harming the teenage girls who devour these books and movies without input from mentors. And this isn't even addressing the "weak heroine" image portrayed by protagonist Bella, who barely seems able to walk without the help of her big, strong men, who must often physically carry or guide her to avoid self-injury.
That's the great thing about the new Harry Potter movie. These teenagers have crushes, struggle through the ups and downs of dating relationships, and deal with heartache, but while these situations create some funny and touching moments, they represent one aspect of much deeper, more thoughtful characters. It is their friendships - with each other and with their mentors - that solidly anchor the film, and hopefully provide some much-needed contrast to their vampire counterparts.
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Comments
well the new harry potter movie was a blow it really let me down but i mean one bad movie ok i can live with that because the twilight movie was horrable compared to the book so i mean im gunna have to go with twilight now but i will never lose faith in harry potter ♥♥♥
Posted By: alexiss | July 15, 2009 12:40 PM
well the new harry potter movie was a blow it really let me down but i mean one bad movie ok i can live with that because the twilight movie was horrable compared to the book so i mean im gunna have to go with twilight now but i will never lose faith in harry potter ♥♥♥
Posted By: alexiss | July 15, 2009 12:41 PM
I, too, enjoyed the Twilight books but once I finished the whirlwind fun of the story and had a chance to really think about the story I am equally worried about the message that they send. The lead character, Bella, comes across as completely helpless and hormone driven. She continually pushes sexual boundries, relying on her boyfriend to stop things from going too far - a bad lesson for young girls learning to establish boundries. She lies to her father and uses her friends in an effort to maintain her obsessive relationship. It really glorifies an extreme example of a girl having no worth outside of the man she attaches herself to. Forget trying to find a Christian message - most the women I know in the secular world are appalled by the ideal of "love" put forth in the Twilight books.
Posted By: lacey barnet | July 15, 2009 4:59 PM
I appreciate your mentioning of the fact that in "Harry Potter," neither the characters nor the plot are synecdochical. In other words, the teenagers are more than their hormones, and romance functions as only part of a larger story. Here, we may infer a simple (but significant) modicum of wisdom: If our lives aren't anchored by strong friendships and mentorships, then we wade in dangerous waters by instantaneously and completely submerging ourselves in romantic relationships.
Posted By: Drew Martin | July 15, 2009 5:29 PM
I'm not surprises that younger and younger girls are getting into Twilight. The story could've been written by an pre-teen obsessed with some bad boy who she just knows must have a heart of gold. The more I think about it, the more I believe such books are unhealthy for kids. Should we feed spur these desires that, if followed, would lead to disaster and misery? There was an article I read awhile ago about studies on how romantic comedies pervert people's idea of romance until it becomes ubrealistic. It might not be as blatant as pornography but such movies and books like Twilight aren't much different than pornography in the emotions and desires they gratify. I just don't think a lustful teenager obsessed with a much older man is a good role model for young impressionable girls.
Posted By: Merciel | July 15, 2009 6:45 PM
Remember all the fuss against Harry Potter when the books and the movies first started? Remember the resounding laughter that came from everyone else in response to it?
Remember when it was very easy for people to dismiss Christians by simply saying, "These are people who get weird over Harry Potter?"
Best to ride the bulldozer rather than be run over by it.
Posted By: Chuck | July 16, 2009 12:29 PM
I read Twilight and promptly forbid my 12 yo daughter from doing the same. I was disgusted by Bella, weak and stupid, not to mention Stephanie Meyer couldn't write herself out of a paper bag. She's TERRIBLE.
Posted By: Katie | July 17, 2009 12:02 PM
I do get annoyed by people that complain that a writer is really bad after the writer has sold millions of books. What that usually says to me is that the complainer is actually complaining about all the millions of readers that liked a book that they didn't like. Writing and reading are personal activities and different styles appeal to different people. I really liked Twilight. It was not intended to be a great treatise and shouldn't be compared to one.
Posted By: Adam S | July 17, 2009 12:44 PM
I've read all books of both series, seen all films (except the latest Harry Potter -- sometime this weekend), and have to agree with Leonard. As a Pastor and a parent (who has a BA in English), the Harry Potter books are better written, and the Christian imagery is compelling. I enjoyed reading the Twilight books with my teenage daughter, but they aren't the same quality as Potter, and the themes do need to be discussed with teens. There is more to life than hormones and a soul mate.
Posted By: Karen | July 17, 2009 4:06 PM
We as Christian are supposed to be salt and light in this world, not court the things of this world, no matter how innocuous they may seem.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
(2Co 6:14-18 KJV)
Posted By: Zelda | July 17, 2009 6:17 PM
One of the most encouraging things about Harry Potter when contrasted with Twilight is Harry's willingness to leave the place and people that he loves, especially his first romantic love, in order to do what is right for his community and fill the calling that wise elders have given to him. Yes, he has his bratty moments (or book) but readers rightly understand that this time of rebellion is wrong rather than acceptable. His love isn't about passion its about doing the right thing. Certainly a change from mainstream American culture.
Posted By: Elle | July 17, 2009 11:45 PM
I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. We actually discussed Harry Potter in Sunday school yesterday. Most of the youth (Mid & Sr High) see the Christian symbolism as obvious as if it were stamped in large print. Also, as another commenter stated, the beauty of Harry is his willingness to leave his friends to protect them and to do what is right. He also goes above others of his ilk by helping those "less than" himself. We could all stand to learn that lesson a little better, I think.
Posted By: Heather | July 20, 2009 9:02 AM
Stephenie Meyer is an example of great editing; she had a compelling story idea and it was enough to sell millions of books! She does have the ability to nail emotional side of adolesence, something I related to even as an adult when I read the series. I hope parents are taking a quick read of Twilight themselves and discussing the themes with their kids. My mom did things like this when I was growing up, using it as a learning opportunity rather than forbidding it. She also prompted me to read many types of books. I'm sure young kids like to do the Harry Potter vs. Twilight thing, but hopefully they have someone in their life pointing them to library that's full of other books!
Posted By: Stephanie | July 21, 2009 2:36 PM
The Harry Potter series is a Christian fantasy in the tradition of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis and The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. All three series contain Christian morality, symbolism, and themes. All three illustrate the power of self-sacrificial love over evil and death. Indeed, Harry is a literary "Christ Figure" not unlike Aslan and Frodo. For an in-depth study of this topic, please read "The Lord of the Hallows: Christian Symbolism and Themes in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter" available at www.outskirtspress.com/thelordofthehallows.
Posted By: Denise Roper | July 24, 2009 12:49 AM