The Harry Potter franchise has grossed more than $15 billion and inspired millions of children around the globe since the first book in the series was published in 1997. While the novels conjure up many fantasy themes throughout the series, some have found deeper meaning.
St. Thomas alumna Callie Knudslien is one of many people who have analyzed the series through the lens of academia. She is among 23 authors featured in the new book, “A Wizard of their Age,” a collection of critical essays on the Harry Potter series and its impact on a generation.
In 2010, Knudslien took a class titled “The Six Degrees of Harry Potter” with St. Catherine University English professor Cecilia Konchar Farr. In the class, Knudslien wrote the essay “WWHPD: What Would Harry Potter Do?,” which eventually made it into the book. Her essay focused on the Christian themes and morals that exist within the influential series.
“The essay I wrote was looking at the topic of how Harry Potter was such a controversial series from a Christian standpoint – with sorcery and everything like that,” Knudslien said. “I didn’t understand how people could say they are evil books when they contain these fundamentally Christian ideals.”
Themes such as love, sacrifice and tolerance are found in the Harry Potter, according to Knudslien. Knudslien’s theological look at the series also interested her professor.
“(Knudslien) made connections to the life of Jesus and the life of Harry Potter with his ethical foundations of love, sacrifice, care and standing up for those who are oppressed,” Konchar Farr said. “I think her essay appeals to the mission of schools such as St. Thomas and St. Kate’s simply because the three main characters are distinguished by their sympathy for those not traditionally accepted, like Hagrid and Luna.”
Other St. Thomas students noticed these themes as well, both in a religious and non-religious context. Senior Meghan Walter said that she was thankful she was never kept away from the Harry Potter series because of religious controversy.
“Everyone’s heard those horror stories about kids who weren’t allowed to read Harry Potter, ” Walter said. “But the books really do teach the idea of tolerance and being the change you wish to see in the world.”
Knudslien said the series has also been very influential on her own life, and she was happy to have the opportunity to write about it.
“They’re important books because for so long they were considered just children’s books, but they are actually so intelligent and can teach both kids and adults so much,” said Knudslien. “If we can empathize with a book we can care for people dealing with similar issues.”
Freshman Conor Kinney agreed with Knudslien, saying the series has become an integral part of their childhood.
“Those books formed me into more of a tolerant, accepting person, if anything. People come from all different backgrounds in the story, but it’s not about where they come from or what they have but rather what type of people they choose to be,” Kinney said.
Whitney Oachs can be reached at oach5325@stthomas.edu.