The REAL Mr. Harry Potter

While half of the world scrambles like ferocious animals towards the new Harry Potter book (and by the time this is published, that critical and melodramatical time will of passed), I thought I'd take a look back on the distinct magical realm of Harry Potter - his downfalls, his upward goals, his loves, his passions, and what he really represents in the world of children's literature.

I can only start this exploring passage with one definitive sentence:

Harry Potter is a nerd.

For those of you who are still reading this, albeit a bit huffed and puffed at my audacity to even categorize the young wizard as such, let me explain.

Harry Potter is a nerd, because he is a cultural icon with glasses.

Cultural icon you say?!? Yes, cultural icon. This small boy, with an owl who delivers the mail to him, and a lightning bolt tatooed (or is it burnt?) into his forehead, and a talent for befuddling his other-wordly nemesis, is a walking symbol, a frail image of adolescent heroism.

And lest us not forget his two friends: bumbling Ron, and sweet Hermione, who, no matter where young Harry Potter stands, they'll stand with him, like two rolls on the side of magic hot dog.

So what does this all mean, tho? Is it really a metaphor for our political landscape? Harry (Britian), Ron (US) and Hermione (Spain) all determined to rid the world of don't-say-his-name-but-I'm-going-to-anyways-Lord-Voldemoort (Hussein, Bin Laden...)?

Maybe. Maybe it is a brave testament to the Earthly battles that seem to manifest minute-by-minute costing lives. JK Rowling has blatantly stated that a key character is going to die in the 5th installment; I'm guessing it's the kid who sits next to Potter in Quiddish class.

There's also a certain adolescent brouhaha to the whole Potter world. I've always noticed some sort of attraction between Harry and Hermione. That's not a wand in his pocket, dearie. Is that it, a fantastic mirage of our teenage battles, of or our tween battles with the boogiemen in the closet, and under the bed?

I think to an extent that there exists infinite metaphorical possibilities to this whole Harry Potter thing. But one thing is for sure: this nerd, this teenage phenomenon is a rich boy; I sometimes think, does Harry himself know it? I catch hints in each book, such as: How does Harry now have gold-rimmed glasses instead of his cheap plastic kind? And that new broomstick, that's pretty new, too. Don't forget, that with all these new powers he's learning, that it's plausible for him to steal a thing or two.

Enough of this though. You're upset at me; you're charging me with blasphemy to your cherished product, your one thing to escape to, your isolated place of exagerated wonder.

So, buy the book I say, even if it's a metaphorical descent into quarrels, or adolescense, or childhood scares. Just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, what that little nerdy wizard can do for you. Yes, you.

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