“A Wizard of Their Age” Critical Essays from the Harry Potter Generation
I had the privilege last month to attend a book reading at Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis for the release of, “A Wizard of Their Age: Critical Essays from The Harry Potter Generation”. The book is a collection of scholarly and personal essays of students and professors from St. Kate’s University who either grew up reading the books and were heavily influenced by the series or fell in love with the series as adults.
(photo: Cecilia Konchar Farr, Professor of English and Women’s Studies, St. Catherine University) The essays explore the parallels of JK Rowlings work with that of fanfiction as we know it today as well as the similarities of key characters to Hitler and the underlying theme of Nazi ideology and influence throughout the later half of the series. One student explored the psychological comparison of Tom Riddles character with the 14 traits children can exhibition when they grow up without the attachment, love and bonding from a parent or caregiver. Other essays explored number symbolism than ran through the text, while one examined the “detrimental limitation” a children’s classification had on the books on a grander scale considering how progressively dark and more adult themed the books became later in the series.
(photo: Kate McManus reading an excerpt from her chapter, “Loading the Cannon, Harry Potter and Fanfiction”.)
The event was fascinating, intellectual and thought provoking. It left me completely in awe of these women and their in depth study, research and compilation of the essays. I was able to speak to one of the professors afterwards about our HPA chapter (#GryffindorksofMN), where she insisted I connect with her and her students on future events. When I was done fangirling and speaking incoherently, I said, “Yes, most definitely.”
By far one of my most *favorite* things I have done so far this year.