“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
I reread Harry Potter books 4-7 at least once a year, usually twice. The spines of all the books are completely destroyed from use (one of my dogs previously tore off the cover of book 3 actually) but opening one up still feels like an old childhood blanket that is somehow just as soft as the day I got it. I still cry at the same parts, laugh at the same parts, become irritated every time I see that Harry named his son after Snape. The series defined a generation of kids who grew up with Harry and desperately awaited their Hogwarts letters. According to a Pottermore post from 2018, over 500 million books of Harry Potter have been sold around the world. And that’s great news because, as stated in a Business Insider article from 2017, “[a]ccording to one study, published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, people who are emotionally attached to Harry Potter are less likely to be prejudiced against minority groups.” It’s not often that escaping the outside world can make you a better person but it’s nice when it works out that way.
I was told by several of my peers that the most influential books in their lives were Harry Potter. In fact, the majority of people that I asked told me that the books that shaped who they are today were the Harry Potter books. It’s an interesting point: are these books influential because of their content and message or because of the age most people were when they first read them? It is most likely because of both but which of the two reasons has a greater impact on… well the impact the book has? I think it might the age might have the upper hand but in this blog post I’m going to focus on the content.
In my opinion, one of the best things about the Harry Potter series is how flawed all of the characters are. Many of the books are filled with petty grievances amongst friends, tensions boiling over, subtle actions that make the characters more human. Take Harry for example: he is, of course, the Chosen One and the one who ultimately defeats evil in the form of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. And yet, throughout the books, we see that Harry has a temper (which is not unreasonable given everything that he has endured but still), he can be petty and vindictive and irrational and human. It’s enticing to portray “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” as the triumph of good over evil. Harry Potter and the gang save the day. But the most impactful elements of the story for me aren’t necessarily the big flashy moments (like riding a dragon out of Gringotts) or the emotional climax (like Dobby dying). I cry every time Dobby dies, but the tears really start flowing not when Dobby takes his last breath but when Harry digs and marks his grave. I think of when Ron leaves Harry and Hermione. I think of Harry at his parents grave. I think of the fight Lupin and Harry have at Grimmauld Place. I think of these utterly human moments that make these stories come alive. The series preaches empathy and love and grief, but what resonates with me is how it portrays humanity in all its glory and in all its ugliness. I think that Harry Potter was one of the first things kids read that accurately portrays humanity and we recognize and identify with the realness of an ironically unreal world.
P.S.,
I think it comes across clearly throughout my blog posts, but my primary house is Ravenclaw and my secondary house is Slytherin. Comment below what your house is and your most controversial Harry Potter opinions!
Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more.
Design with Ease
Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.
Every layout comes with the latest social features built in. Readers will be able to easily share posts on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, view how many people have liked a post, made comments and more. With the Wix, building your online community has never been easier.
Create Relevant Content
You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow readers to explore more of what interests them. Each category of your blog has its own page that’s fully customizable. Add a catchy title, a brief description and a beautiful image to the category page header to truly make it your own. You can also add tags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help readers search for relevant content. Using hashtags can expand your post reach and help people find the content that matters to them. Go ahead, #hashtag away.
Stun Your Readers
Be original, show off your style, and tell your story.
Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Are you a creative agency? Go wild with original blog posts about recent projects, cool inspirational ideas, or what your company culture is like. Add images, and videos to really spice it up, and pepper it with slang to keep readers interested. Are you a programmer? Stay on the more technical side by offering weekly tips, tricks, and hacks that show off your knowledge of the industry. No matter what type of business you have, one thing is for sure - blogging gives your business the opportunity to be heard in a way in a different and unconventional way.
Get Inspired
To keep up with all things Wix, including website building tips and interesting articles, head over to to the Wix Blog. You may even find yourself inspired to start crafting your own blog, adding unique content, and stunning images and videos. Start creating your own blog now. Good luck!
Comments