Harry Potter is the name of a series of fantasy and wizardry novels by J. K. Rowling and the movies based on them. The main character is a fictional young wizard Harry Potter. The first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released in 1997.

The Harry Potter books are primarily aimed at younger children, but have fans of all ages, as demonstrated by the publication of editions of each book with cover artwork intended for adults. There is also a series of Warner Brothers films based directly on the books, the first of which was released in 2001.

According to the author, J.K. Rowling, the stories appeared in her head while she was on a train from Manchester to London. Her favorite place to write the first book was at an Edinburgh café table, while drinking endless cups of coffee. Sales from the books, as well as royalties from films and merchandise, have made Rowling the 552nd wealthiest person in the world. Rowling is richer than Queen Elizabeth II.

Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he learns to use magic and brew potions. Harry also learns to overcome many obstacles, both magical and social, as he struggles through his adolescence.

Rowling has announced that seven books are planned, each a little darker than its predecessor, as Harry ages and his nemesis, Lord Voldemort, gains power. As of July 2005, six books have been published, the latest being Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, published in its English language version on July 16, 2005. Rowling has revealed hints about the plot of the book on her personal website.

With the exception of several chapters, the books are written in third person limited omniscient mode, with Harry as the central character. The books are generally written from Harry's point of view, with short exceptions in Philosopher's Stone, Goblet of Fire and Half-Blood Prince. This is one reason that readers feel such a strong kinship to Harry; the story is told through his character.

Rowling lets the ideas of racism, genocide, and even very subtle homophobia, from the beginning of the Order of the Phoenix; find their way in, where they are the trademark of Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

The books have been compared to many well-known novels, including C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia and J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. They also fit into a British genre of novels about boarding school life, and sections involving the Dursleys, Harry's relatives, remind some readers of Roald Dahl's works.

Aspects of the Harry Potter series have even entered the real world, such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, which inspired an actual product of that name, marketed by the Jelly Belly Company.

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The Books

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry is expected to leave the school in mid-1998, shortly before his eighteenth birthday — supposing, of course, that he lives to do so (as Rowling likes to remind her readers when asked about Harry's career after school).

The books have become popular enough that bookstores now hold "midnight release parties" on the day Harry Potter books are released, since the earliest time the books can be sold at retail is 12:01 am local time at the point of sale.

The Harry Potter books have been translated into many languages. For the English language, there exists an adapted American English version of each book, with lexical changes like "football" to "soccer," "video recorder" to "VCR," or "do his nut" becoming "go ballistic."

In 2001 two books supposedly reproduced from copies owned by Harry (complete with notes scribbled in the margins by Harry and his friends) were published. They were Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander and Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp. These books were written by J. K. Rowling with proceeds going to Comic Relief.

Regarding the existence of Harry Potter novels beyond the seventh, Rowling has said that she might write an eighth book some day. If she does, she intends it to be a sort of encyclopedia of the wizarding world, containing concepts and snippets of information that were not relevant enough to the novels' plot to be included in them. She has also said that she will not write any sort of "prequel" to the novels since by the time the series ends all the necessary back story will have been revealed.

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The Films

For details of which actor plays which character in the various movies, see the Harry Potter cast article.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Release: November 16, 2001

Director: Chris Columbus

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Release: November 15, 2002

Director: Chris Columbus

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Release: June 4, 2004, UK: May 31, 2004

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Release: November 18, 2005

Director: Mike Newell

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Release: Expected Spring 2007 (June)

Director: David Yates

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Release: Expected Fall 2008 (November)

Director: Unknown

All three of the currently released films were among the top ten grossing films of their year, with all three films being among the top 50 domestic grossing films of all time list.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Release: Unknown

Director: Unknown

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The Magical World of Harry Potter

People

A whole host of characters appear in the books. Here are some of them:

§ Harry Potter - The eponymous star of the series. When he a baby, the evil wizard Voldemort burst into his parents' house and killed them. He failed to kill Harry, and the only evidence of the attack is a lighting-bolt shaped scar on Harry's forehead. He has continually tangly hair, and wears glasses. He was sent to live with the Dursleys. After a thoroughly miserable time, he was summoned to come to Hogwarts to begin his wizarding education.

§ Voldemort - The evil wizard who killed Harry's parents. After failing to kill Harry he fled, horribly weakened with all his powers sapped. When he was at his most powerful, he was terrifying, so up to this day no-one dares to say his name, referring to him instead as You-Know-Who or He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named.

§ Ron Weasley - A member of a poor wizarding family, he is Harry's best friend. He has older brothers Bill and the pompous Head Boy Percy, mischievous older twin brothers Fred and George, and a younger sister called Ginny. His dad works for the Ministry of Magic. The entire family has red hair and freckles, and tend to inherit the belongings of their older siblings.

§ Hermione Granger - Another of Harry's best friends, Hermione is very intelligent. Born of Muggle parents, she is resourceful, and, unfortunately, can be a bit of a pain.

§ Albus Dumbledore - The Hogwarts Headmaster, he is kind-hearted and a powerful sorcerer. He is said to have been one of the few people Lord Voldemort feared.

§ The Dursley Family - They looked after Harry for most of his life and weren't all that hospitable. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia view wizards and witches as freaks, and locked Harry under in the cupboard under the stairs, doing their best to ignore him whilst showering praises on their son Dudley.

§ Draco Malfoy - A thoroughly contemptible little git. Sneaky and spiteful, he is rivals with Harry and doesn't believe in fair play. He is constantly followed by idiotic cronies Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. His father is rumoured to have been in Voldemort's inner circle, until Voldemort was defeated and he swiftly changed sides. Along with Ron's Dad, he works at the Ministry of Magic.

§ Professor Snape - Potions teacher and head of Slytherin house. Sides with Malfoy in ridiculing Harry and his friends.

§ Hagrid - The gigantic Hogwarts game-keeper, he has a penchant for dangerous magical creatures. He looks after the Forbidden Forest, and is a great friend of Harry and company. It was he who told Harry that he was actually a wizard.

Places

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the magical school that is the centre of the adventures. Lessons include 'Divination'(Telling the future), 'Transfiguration' (Changing one thing into another by magic) and Potions. There are four 'houses', each with their own dormitories.

The houses are:

§ Gryffindor is Harry's house. Traditionally Gryffindors are brave and courageous.

§ Ravenclaw is traditionally the wisest house.

§ Hufflepuff is traditionally the most loyal house.

§ Slytherin is Malfoy's house. Traditionally its members are calculating and sly in a not very nice way.

The Forbidden Forest is the forest surrounding Hogwarts. A dangerous place, hence its name. Maintained by Hagrid, it is home to unicorns, giant spiders and others.

Hogsmeade is the village close to Hogwarts that is Britain's only all-magical community. It contains Zonko's the magical joke shop, Honeydukes the magical sweet shop, and the supposedly haunted Shrieking Shack, amongst others.

Azkaban is a prison for naughty wizards. An awful fortress guarded by Dementors, it is not a pleasant place at all. It makes Alcatraz look like Disney World.

Diagon Alley is a street in London which is hidden from the view of Muggles (see below). There are many shops selling wands, magical creatures etc.

King's Cross Station is the place where if a wizard walks between platforms nine and ten, they will instantly be transported to platform nine and three-quarters, where the Hogwarts Express departs once a year to the school.

Things

The books play host to a whole bunch of weird stuff:

§ Quidditch is the magical equivalent of football, played on broomsticks. Each team has seven players: three Chasers, two Beaters, a Seeker and a Keeper. There are four flying balls: the Quaffle (a red, football-sized ball), two Bludgers (black heavy balls) and the Snitch (a tiny golden ball with wings). The Chasers have to try and get the ball through one of the three large hoops either side of the pitch. The Keeper has to defend the goal-hoops. Each time a Chaser scores a goal, it counts as ten points. The Beaters have to hit the Bludgers at members of the rival team to try and distract them from scoring goals, using baseball bats. The Seeker has probably the hardest job of all, that of catching the walnut-sized Snitch. Achieving this scores 150 points and ends the game. The team with the highest score at this point wins. Matches can go on for days if the Snitch is particularly evasive. Each of the Hogwarts houses has a Quidditch team. Harry is the Gryffindor Seeker.

§ Wands are the simplest magical tool, needed to perform any amount of spells and charms.

§ The Ministry of Magic is a magical form of government. Any underage wizards are dealt with severely if they use magic outside of school. Harry was nearly expelled from Hogwarts because of a small incident in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The Minister of Magic, like a Prime Minister, is Cornelius Fudge.

§ Unicorns are peaceful creatures whose blood can be used to prolong life. Alas, the drinker of the blood will be reduced to a shadow of their former selves, for needlessly slaying such a magnificent beast to prolong your own life is a dreadful thing to do.

§ Owls are used by wizards to transport post, and are also fine pets.

§ Muggles is a semi-affectionate term used by wizards and witches to refer to nonmagical people.

§ Dementors are horrible creatures who guard Azkaban. They feed on happy emotions and make everyone nearby feel miserable. This effect drives most Azkaban prisoners insane within weeks.in theatres in November 2001. It was a huge blockbuster success and adaptations of the other books are also in the works.

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Themes

Class prejudice and racism

Rowling utilizes the obsession of some in the wizard world with "blood purity" as an analogy for class prejudice and racism. The wizard world is composed of a small number of "pure-blood" families, and the majority heralding from "half-blood" or "muggle-born" ancestry. These categories, while irrelevant to many within the book, are frequently cited by the more intolerant characters as a measure of personal worth.

Some believe that the concept of "blood purity" within the wizard world is a reference to elements of the class-system that was previously a feature of British society, particularly within educational institutions such as universities or public schools similar in nature to Harry's school, Hogwarts. It also references World War II era Germany, particularly that the leader of the rising hatred and oppression against the so-called "half-breeds", Lord Voldemort, is in fact a "half-blood" himself, much like Adolf Hitler didn't fit his own Aryan ideal.

Harry Potter makes statements about real issues of prejudice by assuming that they do not exist. For example, it is taken for granted that every profession in Rowling's world has personnel who are both male and female; even the sports teams are mixed.

Even families who ignore the concept of "blood purity" are generally prejudiced against "non-humans" or "half-breeds". This theme is explored with characters such as Remus Lupin, a werewolf, and Rubeus Hagrid, a half-human, half-giant. Additionally, house-elves are considered fit only for subjugation and slavery, despite their human-like feelings and their own powerful magic (demonstrated by Dobby in Chamber of Secrets).

Rowling also uses the Weasleys, an extremely tolerant "pure-blood" family, as examples of people that hold prejudices without even realizing it. Harry's friend, Ron Weasley, is shocked to learn of Lupin's affliction in Prisoner of Azkaban, and Hagrid's ancestry in Goblet of Fire. Ron's mother, Molly Weasley, also unwittingly expresses open prejudice against werewolves in Order of the Phoenix.

Choices

One of the most significant recurring themes is that of choice. In Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore makes perhaps his most famous quote on this issue: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." He confronts the issue again in Goblet of Fire, when he tells Cornelius Fudge that what one grows up to be is far more important than what one is born. Rowling has commented that Dumbledore often speaks for her.

Also, through the novels, Harry must choose between what is right and what is easy. This theme is expected to arise more and more frequently as the choices Harry must make become more and more difficult.

Harry's entire destiny (the reason it is the Harry Potter not the Neville Longbottom series) hinges on a choice made by Voldemort as explained by Dumbledore at the end of the fifth book.

Humility

The novels also focus on the importance of humility. Harry has to spend many tedious years in the muggle world with his abusive relatives, who treat him very poorly. When Harry learns that he is the famous "Boy Who Lived", he is more concerned about living up to his reputation than using it to his own advantage, contrasting with his counterpart, Draco Malfoy. Harry turns out to be a highly skilled Quidditch player with a talent for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Instead of basking in the glory of his abilities, he is humble, and even bashful, when complimented on his skills.

Love

The theme of love as a powerful form of magic in itself is a recurring theme throughout the series. Both Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort are put through some of the same torments during their youth, but Harry embraced love in spite of his upbringing, while Voldemort instead embraced his anger. Albus Dumbledore believes that Harry's love for those around him, and Voldemort's lack there of, is the powerful ancient magic that will lead to the Dark Lord's downfall. Albus Dumbledore also says in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that love is the "power that the Dark Lord knows not" mentioned in the prophecy made about our beloved Harry and Lord Voldemort.

Slavery

House elves, creatures that are bound to their masters and toil unpaid at their masters' whim, were introduced in the second Harry Potter book. Hermione starts S.P.E.W. (the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare), which is received less than warmly. The elves themselves are scandalized when Dobby, a house elf belonging to the Malfoy family, is freed by Harry Potter and subsequently demands payment for his work.

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Controversy

The books have provoked various kinds of controversy.

Accusations of promoting witchcraft

According to the American Library Association, the Harry Potter novels have been among the most frequently challenged in school libraries since 1998. The complaints allege that the books have occult or Satanic themes, are violent, and are anti-family.

Some Christian groups in the United States have denounced the series for promoting witchcraft or Satanism. "It contains some powerful and valuable lessons about love and courage and the ultimate victory of good over evil," said Paul Hetrick, spokesman for Focus on the Family, a national Christian group based in Colorado Springs. "However, the positive messages are packaged in a medium — witchcraft — that is directly denounced in scripture." The official exorcist of Rome, Father Gabriele Amorth, believes that the Harry Potter books can be a bad influence on some children by getting them interested in the occult. Chick Publications produced a comic book tract called "The Nervous Witch" about two teenaged girls who get seriously involved in occult witchcraft and become demonically possessed as a direct result of reading Harry Potter books.

It has been argued that when the current Pope, Benedict XVI, was a cardinal, he also condemned the books in a letter expressing gratitude for the receipt of a book on the subject, stating they are "a subtle seduction, which has deeply unnoticed and direct effects in undermining the soul of Christianity before it can really grow properly." (It can be noted here Pope John Paul II was reputed to like Harry Potter). However no evidence is provided that those "they" which are "a subtle seduction" actually refers to the Harry Potter books, nor is this at all clear from the original German text of the Cardinal's letter, which in any case shows signs of being dashed off in rather a hurry. (For example, the ungrammatical use of "dies" rather than "diese".) Monsignor Peter Fleetwood, a Vatican priest, wrote that the these remarks were misinterpreted, and that the letter was likely written by an assistant of the then-cardinal. Indeed, the letter appears to have been written by an underling, but was issued under the Cardinal's signature. This letter and a second that allowed publication of the first have been posted to the Internet by Gabriele Kuby, who had sent her book, Harry Potter - Good or Evil, attacking J.K. Rowling's best-selling series about the boy wizard, to the Cardinal.

However, other Christian readers have pointed out themes in the Harry Potter books which reflect values exemplified or preached by Jesus. Lily Potter sacrificed her own life to save her child (John 15:13). Harry's Muggle guardians attempt to keep him from knowing of his gifts, yet he is taken away and sent to learn to use his powers responsibly (Matt. 5:13-16). Harry has died, or come close to death, in several stories, yet is resurrected and more determined than ever to fight evil. It is also said in the books that love is the strongest magic (1 Cor 13:13). Some Christian bookstores even sell the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling is on record as a Christian who admires C.S. Lewis, and says she did not emphasize Christian ideals in the book because her goal was never to preach or dictate a philosophy of life, but to tell a story; besides, if she had, intelligent readers would be able to guess important plot details.

Other members of the Catholic Church gave the series their approval, saying that it is imbued with Christian morals, and that the good versus evil plot is very clear. The late Pope John Paul II praised the books for their message about the evils of racism and genocide. Christian Congregationalist minister John Killinger also argued that rather than corrupting children's minds, the novels encourage young readers to follow the teachings of Jesus. The book The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius, and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels, written by John Granger, a Reader in the Orthodox Church, claims to uncover Christian themes in its analysis of the story. Granger also cites the fact that Rowling is a professed member of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Much less controversy has occurred in the United Kingdom.

The controversy was spoofed on the television show The Simpsons. In one episode, ultra-Christian Ned Flanders "reads" Harry Potter to his son and says "…and Harry Potter and all his wizard friends…went straight to Hell for practicing witchcraft". His son cheers and Ned throws the book into the fireplace.

The controversy was also parodied in The Onion, when an article titled Harry Potter Books Spark Rise in Satanism Among Children satirically reported the thousands of children attracted to the dark arts and denying religion due to the books. As reported on Urban Legends Reference Pages, some who were unaware that the article was a pastiche employed it as evidence in the demonificiation of the books.

Accusations of plagiarism

Rowling prevailed in a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement, filed by Nancy Stouffer, writer of The Legend of Rah and the Muggles and allegedly of Larry Potter and His Best Friend Lilly. The first book features creatures called "muggles". U.S. District Judge Allen G. Schwartz rejected Nancy Stouffer's claims that she was plagiarized, and fined Stouffer $50,000 for "submission of fraudulent documents" and "untruthful testimony", but stopped short of having Stouffer criminally charged with perjury. Stouffer was required to pay a portion of the attorney's fees incurred by Rowling, her U.S. publisher Scholastic Press, and Warner Bros. Films.

Other analogous works

Comic book fans have noted that a comic book series first published in 1990 by DC Comics called The Books of Magic, by Neil Gaiman, shares many similarities to Rowling's book. These include a dark haired young boy with glasses, named Tim Hunter, who discovers his own potential as the most powerful wizard of his age after being approached by magic-wielding individuals, the first of whom gifts him with a pet owl. Rowling officially denies being aware of this series, and Gaiman has gone on record stating that he believes similarities to be either coincidence, or drawn from the same fantasy archetypes.

Recent viewers of the 1985 film Young Sherlock Holmes, scripted by Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter movies, have noticed similarities between its characters, setting, events and tone, and those of the Harry Potter series.

The Ken Akumatsu manga Mahou Sensei Negima is often regarded as a Harry Potter clone, despite the only similarity being a 10-year-old wizard from England.

Readers of classic fantasy fiction have noted a very strong resemblance between the premise of Harry Potter and Ursula K. LeGuin's A Wizard of Earthsea (1968), in which a boy with unusual gifts of magic is recognized and sent to a special school for wizards. A school rival in the book is almost a dead ringer for Draco Malfoy.

LeGuin was not the first to propose a special school for witches and wizards. Eleanor Estes was apparently the first, in her book The Witch Family (1960), and the The Worst Witch series follows the same line. By analogy, the mutants of the X-Men world, with their seemingly magical powers attend Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Children, with Xavier serving a Dumbledore-like role.

Injunction against purchasers of early copies

A grocery store in Canada accidentally sold several copies of the sixth Harry Potter book before the authorized release date. The Canadian publisher, Raincoast Books, obtained an injunction (PDF copy) from the Supreme Court of British Columbia prohibiting the purchasers from reading the books in their possession. This sparked a number of news articles questioning the injunction’s restriction on fundamental rights. Canadian law professor Michael Geist has posted commentary on his weblog. Richard Stallman has posted on his weblog calling for a boycott until the publisher issues an apology. Some versions of this creed have been circulated by email including a spoiler for one of the major plot points in the novel; whether this was actually the original posted version and was modified by Stallman is as yet unclear, though the tone of the sentence is substantially the same as that of the rest of the message.

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