Values of Harry Potter: Lessons for Muggles, Expanded Edition - Softcover

Armstrong, Ari

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0981803016 ISBN 13: 9780981803012

Publisher: Ember Publishing, 2011

Synopsis

The adventure stories of the boy wizard Harry Potter tap life's most pressing questions about love and values, evil, free will, and the soul. Ari Armstrong's Values of Harry Potter explores the complex themes of J. K. Rowling's beloved novels, illuminating the heroic fight for life-promoting values, the hero's need for independence, and the role of choice in virtue. Drawing on the ideas of Aristotle and Ayn Rand, Armstrong then critiques the Christian elements of self-sacrifice and immortality, arguing that they ultimately clash with the essential nature of the hero as exemplified by Harry Potter and his allies. Values of Harry Potter offers a unique, succinct, and provocative look at Rowling's revolutionary novels for both enthusiasts and critics. This Expanded Edition also reviews the novels' psychology, government, and news media.

About this title

About the Author

Ari Armstrong resides in Colorado with his wife Jennifer and their cat Cali. Ari writes for FreeColorado.com, AriArmstrong.com, and, with his father Linn, Grand Junction's Free Press.

Review

I've read all the Harry Potter novels multiple times, discussed them at length with friends, read essays analyzing them, and even published an essay of my own. Yet Ari Armstrong's Values of Harry Potter offered me a delightful array of fresh insights into J. K. Rowling's works. It offers fans of the Harry Potter a unique opportunity to explore the core values of the novels, to discover why we find them so captivating and so inspiring. Readers will develop a deeper appreciation for Rowling's achievement in portraying life-loving, courageous heroes. They will discover compelling answers to any half-formed questions and doubts about the significance of her Christian themes. When I re-read the Harry Potter series -- as I'm eager to do again -- I will gain far more insight and inspiration from them than ever before, thanks to Values of Harry Potter. --Diana Hsieh, NoodleFood, "Dursley Duplicity" in Harry Potter and Philosophy

In his new book, Values of Harry Potter: Lessons for Muggles, Armstrong, true to form, challenges Harry Potter theorists of all stripes. While some call the Harry Potter books anti-Christian, and others suggest they celebrate Christian principles, Armstrong argues persuasively that Harry Potter neither promotes nor rebukes Christianity, but instead advances more universal, and thought-provoking, human themes. --Joel Warner, Westword, October 28, 2008

Edition details

• Publisher: Ember Publishing
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0981803016
• ISBN 13: 9780981803012
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 174