June 19, 2007

Children's Literature

Conversation with my wife, after I told her about a recent Slate article setting forth a hypothetical ending to the seventh Harry Potter book based on the series finale of "The Sopranos":

Me: I'll be glad when the whole phenomenon has passed.
Her: Which one? Harry Potter or the Sopranos?
Me: Both.
Her: I like Harry Potter.
Me: So do I, but it's kind of enough already.
Her: Whatever. I'm going to read Harry Potter to our kids.
Me: Good idea. It'll help them learn that they can be successful in life as long as they're really good at sports and have smart friends.
Her: [Glares menacingly.]
Me: And that they should worship the Devil.
Her: Well, that's the important thing.

Posted by hb at June 19, 2007 08:38 AM

Comments

Hee! Nod.

I interviewed a nine year old recently. After the interview, she apparently told her mother she'd been worried I would be like Rita Skeeter.

Posted by: didofoot on June 19, 2007 09:22 AM

dude, that's not what HP is about at all. It doesn't teach children if they're good at sports they'll have a good life. It has nothing to do with goodness of your own accord. It teaches them that their birthright is the only thing that matters. Seriously, unless your parents are the most famous witches in the universe, you'll be nothing.

Posted by: C on June 19, 2007 10:00 AM

That's no entirely true. In the series, if you don't have a birthright you can still become famous by making friends with someone who does have one.

Posted by: Tom Sciortino on June 19, 2007 10:07 AM

Post a comment




Remember Me?

(you may use HTML tags for style)