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[societyofliterates]

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[societyofliterates]

Magical Lessons from Harry Potter

written by Anushka

edited by Saamiya and Rebecca

Harry Potter - my favourite book series of all time. I may have read other fantasy novels and series, but none of them quite met the high standard of creativity, humour, and sentiment that Harry Potter has, in my opinion. Harry Potter is a book and movie series that has given me much happiness. I can safely say, although according to some, I’m ‘past the age’ to read Harry Potter, that I will always be a Potterhead at heart. Not only has the series given me much joy, but it has also indirectly taught me many lessons that are connected and applicable to both life in the past, and in present times. You must be thinking, how is this series, which is based on magic and fantasy and theoretically unreal, relevant in our modern lives today? There are many values and lessons that we can learn from these series. However, due to limited time, and to save you, our dear readers, from boredom, we shall talk about a few of these values in depth, how they were portrayed in the books, and how they can/have been applied in the real world.

1. With great deeds come great sacrifices

In Harry Potter, we read that many of Harry’s (the main protagonist) allies, supporters, mentors and parental figures died for a great cause; to defeat Voldemort the main antagonist. Some of them include Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Professor Dumbledore, Nymphadora Tonks and Fred Weasley. These characters had the awareness that the defeat of Voldemort, being a great deed, came at a price and yet, they were willing to sacrifice themselves, for the greater good. This trait can be found in many of Harry’s supporters, friends, allies, etc., from a very young age, as seen in the first book and movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, where Ron chose to sacrifice himself in the game of Giant Wizard’s Chess, to let Harry checkmate the opponent’s king and carry on with his quest. How is this applicable in our lives then? The characters’ actions show how great causes, deeds, and changes come with great sacrifices, as one must be willing to forego something dear to them, for the greater good. Similarly, in the past, many countries fought bloody, violent wars. In these wars, we could see many heroes emerge. An example of wartime sacrifice which will be forever remembered is the sacrifice made by  four military chaplains of the sinking of the S.S. Dorchester, who sacrificed their life to save the lives of the younger soldiers on the same vessel. (“Real Heroes: Four Died so Others Might Live,” n.d.)

While many of us may not experience these brutal war-like experiences in the present day and age, and don’t have to make such huge sacrifices, we still may have to make a few for our own growth and progress. For example, as a student, I often have to choose between entertainment like Netflix and TikTok, and my studies. As much as I love watching Netflix and TikTok, I often must choose studies and sacrifice my entertainment, if I want to do better and improve my grades for the greater good, in this situation. Working adults may have to choose between saving their earnings, and investing the savings wisely. Personally, if I were a working adult which I will become, in the next decade or so, I would choose to hire an investment banker who would be able to help me invest my earnings correctly be it in stocks/ properties over spending much of it, so as to generate more money for my future.

2. Our choices define us, far more than our abilities

‘It's our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities’ is a famous quote by Albus Dumbledore. Now that I’ve read all the books and watched all the movies countless times, I fully agree with you, Professor. In Harry Potter, we see that many times, characters are stuck in a dilemma, as to whether to join forces with the Dark Lord, or to remain true to their quest of defeating Voldemort. The dilemma of whether to do what’s easy, or deep down, what is right. Many characters go through this, but one who stood out and touched my heart is none other than one of our True Gryffindors, Neville Longbottom. Neville Longbottom, often portrayed as a weak and cowardly character, stood up against Voldemort in the darkest of times, when Harry was deemed dead, and Voldemort seemed immortal. He did not give in to the Dark Lord’s demands, although he knew it he could get himself killed. Neville was not the brightest in Hogwarts, and was often someone who got bullied by the Slytherins for having parents who went mad under the Cruciatus Curse (Unforgivable Curse, where the person cursed is tortured). He wasn’t good at the magical sport Quidditch either. But, when faced with uncertain times, he chose to stay true to his quest and stood up bravely for what he believed was the right thing. His choices during this period reflect the courage that lies within him, and it was what defines him as a True Gyriffindor, someone who showed strength of character, even challenges and hurdles were thrown in his path.

How is this applicable in our lives then? We learnt from Nevillle that we don’t have to be born with extraordinary abilities and talents. We don't have to be the best at everything we do, as it is our choices that reflect who we truly are. Similarly, in the past, like I already mentioned previously, many bloody wars were fought. In these wars, some people succumbed to fear of dying and resulted in their country’s defeat, just to save themselves. This choice, in my opinion, is wrong. As a citizen of the country, I believe that one should not give in to fear of death and betray their country. If one dies on the battlefield, he or she should know that he or she sacrificed for a good cause, which was to protect their country. When people make the choice to betray their country to save themselves, it reflects the true cowardice and selfishness that lies within them, no matter how talented, or what they have achieved in their lives. This shows how your choices define you as a person, regardless of what you were born as, or what you have achieved.

So, we can see that as much as Harry Potter is a fantasy series, we have several magical lessons we can learn from it that can be applied in our lives.

[societyofliterates]

Austen & the Modern Teen

written by Rebecca

edited by Anushka and Saamiya

As I was scrolling through Netflix the other day, trying to find a movie for my entertainment, I chanced upon Pride and Prejudice (2005), starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Mcfayden. Although I have watched the movie before, there was no hesitation in deciding to rewatch the on-screen adaptation of the extraordinary literary classic.

Jane Austen’s books have been a staple for many readers over the course of the past years, and the popularity of her stories have resulted in the production of movies and television series that I hold near and dear to my heart, like Sense and Sensibility (1995), and Clueless (1995), to name a few. These stories are special to me due to many various reasons. One reason being the relevance of the lessons learnt in our daily lives as teenagers.

So, what makes the lessons of fictional upper class women of Georgian society relevant to what us modern teenagers experience today? Let’s break it down.

1. Always be open to change

As teenagers, I am sure many of us tend to be selfish and think the world revolves around us. Much as I hate to admit, I can be selfish at times as well. Therefore, constructive criticism and challenges to solid impressions can feel like a blow to us as people, no matter the good intentions behind it. Even Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse struggled with change, yet they eventually accepted the truth of what it was and grew right along with it. To adapt and admit to change can be tough, especially when you hold your opinion or moral very strongly, but with the willingness to accept the situation it will make the ordeal a little less difficult, helping us as teens grow into better people. An open attitude allows us to take feedback positively, allowing us to embrace a more mature perspective, thus stretching us to our fullest potential

2. Right place, wrong time

Ever experienced something you very much wanted, but when you actually had it, it suddenly was not right for you no matter how much you loved it? You’re not alone. Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth have experienced it too. And yet, seven years later, they found each other again. Don’t fret too much when the things you want seem impossibly out of reach. Maybe it was just not the right time. All you have to do is to continue looking up and forward, and one day, you just might get it.

Austen’s heroines, your everyday girls facing timeless issues like the pressures of societal standards, financial management, and meddling families, are what make her stories appealing to the teens of today. I admit, stories of sword-wielding mermaids and supernatural werewolf girls are very much entertaining in their own right, but none of these authors have the wit and humour Austen has in her writing. That is what makes her works some of the best blessings of existence.