Advocates for Young Adult Literature assert that it:
- portrays an adolescent as a protagonist Ted Hipple (1992) states that "Literature written for young adults is fine literature, about themes that are universal, with quality that is stunning. Such literature merits- and rewards- attention."
- settting is limited only by the imagination and skill of the author
- themes focus on the challenges of youth
- storylines are consistent with age of the main character
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets meets all of these characteristics but can the book really be considered suitable for adolescent literature?
The book presents Harry Potter as the main character- a twelve year old, who recently found out that he was a wizard. J.K.Rowlins creates a world of magic with talking portraits and flying cars which extends far beyond the imagination of the audience. The novel focuses on issues of identity, acceptance and the changes administered by puberty.Rowling (1997) expounds that the book is a "springboard into the discussion of identity issues with adolescents, helping them to understand and successfully negotiate the challenges of this phase of life." Students are able to identify with the issues of:
*IDENTITY- Harry Potter tries to "fit in" to the world of wizardry a the "human " world without his parents being constantly bullied by his peers in both realms.Thus, adolescents are able to relate to this issue and empathize with the characters. Similarly, Hermione Grandger who is half witch, half human known as a mud blood is constantly taunted because she is considered an"outsider' in the world of magic. Rowlins posits that the novel aids young readers in undergoing Erik Erikson'(1968) theory of psychosocial development where individuals acquire their identity. Identity development involves deciding who one is and what one is going to be for the rest of one's life. The challenge for youngsters in this stage is to separate themselves from the family psychologically and to establish their own independent identities as it is highlighted in the novel. However,the text does not present identities to children but help them formulate it through its characters.
*CLASS DISTINCTIONS- Rowlins also present a hegemonic society in which the "lower class" wizards are dominated and made to feel inferior those in the upper class. This division i portrayed in the school system as the students with more influential parents intimidate the others. Moreover, they ridiculed by the upperclass because of their inferior materials.As a result, adolescents are able to connect with these characters and their experiences since it is familiar.
The novel explores many other themes such as the triumph of good over evil and theme topics such as relationships. However, let us take a deeper look into the suitablity of this text for it to be considered acceptable for Adolescent Literature.Cole (2009) puts forward, that Young Adolescent Literature encompasses:
KEY
*-characteristic
x- not characteristic
CHARACTERISTICS HARRY POTTER
(i) A multi- themed story *
(ii) Memorable characters *
(iii) Original idea *
(iv) Framed in language young readers
can understand *
(v) Characters and Issues young readers
identify with *
(vi) Believable, emphatic characters *
In addition to the above stated characteristics, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is also captivating from the cover page as it colourful images add colour to the cover. This animation is not only enticing to visual learners but young readers in general. Likewise, the use of large prints makes the book reader friendly to the adolescents who quickly reject books of fine print. Moreover, the book has short chapters with the use of subtitles to predict what is to come in the chapter. These subtitle serves as a prompt or anticipation guide which helps the readers predict what will happen in the chapter generating interest from the students. Furthermore, as Cole (2009) highlights, the language must be suitable for adolescents to comprehend. This simplicity was quite evident in text, with the use of simple vocabulary which is comprehensible to all students. This simplicity of language made the text easy to read and engaging for all young readers. In addition, students were able to identify with some of the issues encountered by the young characters in the novel and make connections to their personal lives.Thus, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets can be considered a suitable text for Adolescent Literature.
However, I believe that the book lacks images which would provide scaffolding to not only the visual learners but basal as well as all readers alike. This lack of images may deter young readers and discourage them from continuing to read the novel. Additionally, students may not be able to make the transition from the world og magic created in the text to that of real life. Therefore, although the text meets the characteristics of Young Adolescent Literature, it also has questionnable aspects which may remove from its suitability as a text for instruction. *
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young-adult_fiction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets
ADDITIONAL READING
https://resources.oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/mikuleck/Filemanager_Public_Files/L535/Unit_1_Readings/Harry_Potter.pdf
Honestly before reading this entry, i would never think of using any of Harry Potter's series in the classroom nor to ever think of classifying it as a young adult text because of its content. From your stance of the argument, i can totally agree with you that the text can be categorised as a young adult text. You have presented some themes and issues which are paramount in the lives of our students as they progress from childhood into adulthood. With those themes safely wrapped up in a text which charms our students along with the other highlighted characteristics I am convinced that the text is an ideal Young aAdult text in this regard.
ReplyDeletewouldnt the content of the text affect its credibility to be regarded holistically as a young adult text? I am asking in light of the creeping problem with spirituality in the schools especially that of Goth.
can this create a conflict of interest?
I am in total agreement with you that the credibility of the text will be question especially along those lines of spirituality.Your question further substantiates my view that despite the text meeting the criteria outlined by Cole 2009, it does lack in areas such as images and as you just pointed in some respects morality. For instance, I know of some parents who do not allow reading of the novel because it is perceived as withcraft. Thus, you are correcting in noting that the credibility of the text to be considered as Adolescent Literature will be questionned along the lines of spirituality.
ReplyDeleteI love the Harry Potter series and I think that the novel can be used in the classroom, but the issue of spirituality can be a ticklish one as Sheraline and you suggested. It is therefore the teacher's responsibility to guard students against misconceptions which can take hold from reading the book.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMiss Antoine, you have detailed reasons why Harry Porter should and should not be considered fit for adolescent literature and that i commend you for. I definitely agree with Miss Gimie. Upon reading your post, the question of students identifying with the novel arose as it depicts some fictionalized scenes; what with the flying cars, talking portraits and magic. From my stance though, i think that the novel does depict some of the major characteristics of adolescent literature however, using it in the classroom is not an idea i would want to delve into as with adolescent literature, the key idea is to get the students to identify with things that they can associate with. How real is a talking portrait? Therefore I think the novel would be more suitable for leisure aesthetic reading.
ReplyDeleteYour comments are well acknowledged Miss Dijon, however, you should keep in mind that for our early adolescents like our form one students for example,reading is a means of escaping.
ReplyDelete(Level 3 of literary appreciation: Losing oneself in a story).
Miss Antoine before reading your analysis of harry potter containing the characteristics of young adolescent literature i wouldn't even attempt to view it in that prospect. but i must commend you for presenting it in such a differing aspect. the novel is truly one which deals with identity but the question of spirituality is a tetchy one particularly for parents. some parents do not want their children to watch the movie likewise read the book. i respect your final point that for instruction it might be an issue. but i definitely do not agree with using the book for instruction despite its prevalent characteristics of YAL.
ReplyDeletetoo much is at stake.