Jennifer R Smith

 

The Reality of Magic

By Jennifer R Smith

One of the most important aspects of writing effective fantasy is to create in readers the "willing suspension of disbelief." This means that the readers are able to accept the fantastical elements of the story as plausible and coherent within the fictional world, even if they contradict the laws of reality.
own experiences, feelings, and imagination. In this blog post, let’s analyze how Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling creates a story that I as well as millions of other readers around the globe, were willing to enter into, suspending disbelief during the reading experience, by creating a magical world, establishing rules and limitations, and by introducing relatable characters, despite the fantastic nature of the story's events.

The first way that Rowling achieves this is by introducing the magical world gradually and through the perspective of Harry, who is also new to it. The story begins with a realistic setting and tone, describing Harry's miserable life with his abusive relatives, the Dursleys. The reader can easily relate to Harry's situation and empathize with his longing for a better life. However, soon enough, strange things start to happen around Harry, such as a snake talking to him at the zoo, letters addressed to him arriving by owl, and a giant man named Hagrid breaking into his house. These events are presented as shocking and mysterious, both to Harry and the reader, but they also spark curiosity and excitement. The reader wants to know more about Harry's true identity and his connection to the magical world, just as Harry does. Therefore, when Hagrid reveals that Harry is a wizard and invites him to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the reader is ready to follow Harry on his journey of discovery and adventure. “It has been affirmed that the “magic” of the Harry Potter books lies in the parallel worlds” (Scholastic, 2001, p. 1). As Harry runs through Platform 9 ¾, he escapes from the real world, the “muggle” world, that has become a symbol of rejection and abuse. Harry is able to leave “muggle” world that rejects and abuses him and enter a magical wizarding world that allows him to gain mature.

Another way that Rowling creates a believable fantasy is by establishing clear rules and limitations for the magical world. Although magic is a powerful and versatile force in the story, it is not omnipotent or arbitrary. There are specific spells, potions, objects, creatures, and places that have different functions and effects. There are also laws and regulations that govern the use of magic, such as the Statute of Secrecy that forbids revealing magic to Muggles (non-magical people), or the Forbidden Forest that is off-limits to students. Moreover, there are consequences and dangers that come with using magic, such as backfiring spells, cursed objects, hostile creatures, or dark wizards. These aspects make the magical world more realistic and consistent, as well as create tension and conflict in the story.

    A third way that Rowling makes the reader suspend disbelief is by creating realistic characters who inhabit the magical world but could easily exist in the real world. Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione are not only talented and brave wizards, but also ordinary children who have their own personalities, flaws, emotions, and relationships. According to Sharon Black in her article, “The Magic of Harry Potter,” she discusses Harry’s own need for love and acceptance. Black uses the discovery of what Harry sees when he looks into the Mirror of Erised, as an example of how the magic of Harry seeing his parents reflected back at him in the mirror, is also a reflection of our own reality of what we want when we look upon those we love. Harry does not see material things as a reflection wo what he really desires, he sees what we all desire, thereby giving a realistic humanity to the magical (Black 239). These three main characters face challenges and dilemmas that are common to many young readers, such as making friends, fitting in, dealing with bullies, coping with schoolwork, or finding their identity. Hermione Granger is a brilliant witch who excels at academics and has a thirst for knowledge. She is often the one who helps Harry and Ron with their homework, spells, and puzzles. However, she is also insecure about her abilities and her appearance, especially when she is teased by other students for being a know-it-all or having bushy hair. She struggles to make friends at first and feels lonely and isolated. She also has a strong sense of justice and morality, which sometimes leads her to clash with authority figures or break the rules for a greater cause. For example, she lies to Professor McGonagall and says she was looking for the troll in the bathroom to protect Harry and Ron stating:

 ‘“I went looking for the troll because I ---- I thought I could deal with it on my own ---- you know, because I’ve read all about them.”

Ron dropped his wand. Hermione Granger, telling a downright lie to a teacher?

“If they hadn’t found me, I’d be dead now. Harry stuck his wand up its nose and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn’t have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived.”

Harry and Ron tried to look as though this story wasn’t new to them (Rowlings 177-178).’”

In a show of her loyalty to Harry, Hermione also sets fire to Snape's robes to distract him from cursing Harry during the Quidditch match.

Ron Weasley is a loyal friend who has a good sense of humor and a knack for chess. He comes from a large and loving family that is poor but proud. He often feels overshadowed by his older brothers, who have achieved great things in school or in life. He also feels insecure about his lack of money and his second-hand clothes and belongings. He sometimes envies Harry for his fame and fortune, but he never lets that get in the way of their friendship. He also has a temper and a tendency to act impulsively, which sometimes gets him into trouble or causes him to say things he regrets later. For example, he insults Hermione for being a show-off after she corrects him on the pronunciation of "Wingardium Leviosa."

                Harry, Ron, and Hermione also grow and change throughout the story, learning from their mistakes and experiences. The reader can easily identify with them and care about their fate. The same goes for other characters in the story, such as Dumbledore, Snape, Malfoy, or Voldemort. They are not simply good or evil stereotypes, but have their own motivations, histories, secrets, and conflicts. They make the story more engaging and unpredictable. Here we can go back to Sharon Black’s article when she discusses how we can relate to can relate so easily to these fantastical characters, “The ever-changing magic of Harry Potter is in the magic of the child’s own experiences, feelings, and imagination” (Black 239).

In Harry’s magical world, his life changes but his problems still stay within the realm of reality. Sharon Black discusses that though Harry carries a wand and even owns an invisibility cloak, in the magical world, the muggle world is never far behind. Harry’s development and strength came about through determination and struggle. This lesson is left with readers that they can also overcome challenges through perseverance and great effort. Black quotes Bruno Bettelheim:  

[Fantasy intimates] that a rewarding, good life is within one’s reach
despite adversity—but only if one does not shy away from the hazardous

 struggles without which one can never achieve true identity.
These stories promise that if a child [or adult] dares to engage in this
fearsome and taxing search, benevolent powers will come to his aid,
and he will succeed (Black 245).

 

By the end of the story, Harry must board the train and go back into the real world, the world without magic. However, he will be stronger, smarter with an understanding of his own identity than he was in the beginning of the story. The reader is left thinking that Harry will be just fine.

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Black, Sharon. “The Magic of Harry Potter: Symbols and Heroes of Fantasy.” Children’s Literature in

Education, vol. 34, no. 3, Sept. 2003, pp. 237–247.

Rowling, J K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Postcard Book. Scholastic, 2001.