At the age of six, Joanne Kathleen Rowling2 wrote her first short story about a
rabbit named Rabbit, who had the measles and was visited by his friends. Amongst
them was a little bee called Miss Bee.
However, she never told anyone about her “burning ambition”3 to become a
writer, not even Ms Shephard, her English teacher at Wyedean Comprehensive School.
Ms Shephard was a great influence on young Joanne as “she inspired trust”4.
Shephard’s comments on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone “meant more to
[Joanne Rowling] than any newspaper reviews”5.
After finishing secondary school and her studies in French and Classics at Exeter
University, Joanne Rowling started to work as a research asssistant at Amnesty
International which was a “very, very interesting place to work”6, but at the same time a
huge mistake, because Joanne Rowling admits that as a secretary she would be
anybody’s “worst nightmare”7.
It was during a delayed train journey from Manchester to King’s Cross Station in
London, when she was obviously hit by magic. The story about a little orphan named
Harry Potter, who has to live with his old-fashioned relatives and finds out that he is a
wizard, came to her mind. And because she had no pen or notebook with her, she had to
think it. So, Hogwarts - School of Witchcraft and Wizardry came to life in her
imagination, and as she invented it, it “felt like research”8. “It was a question of
discovery why Harry was where he was, why his parents were dead”9. At the end of the
journey she knew “it was going to be a seven-book series”10. The next five years, while she moved to Portugal, got married, had a baby, got
divorced and moved back to Britain, she continued writing the first book of the series
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (HP1)11 which she finished in 1995.
2 see Picture 1
3 Lindsey Fraser, Conversations with J.K. Rowling, New York 2001, p.22.
4 ibid, p. 19.
5 ibid, p. 19.
6 ibid, p. 36.
7 ibid, p. 35.
8 ibid, p. 39.
9 ibid, p. 39.
10 ibid, pp. 39.
11 see Picture 2
Table of Contents
1 Joanne K. Rowling – The Creator of Harry Potter
2.1 Publishing History of the Harry Potter Series
2.2 A Cinderella Story
2.2.1 Joanne’s Story
2.2.2 Harry’s Story
2.3 Central Themes of Harry Potter
2.3.1 Good vs. Evil
2.3.2 Growing-Up
2.4 The Internet
2.5 Commercialisation
2.6 Voices against Harry Potter
2.6.1 Christian Fundamentalists and the FFL
2.6.2 Plagiarism?
3 Conclusion
4 Reading List
5 Pictures
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines the global phenomenon of the Harry Potter series, exploring the reasons behind its unprecedented commercial success and its cultural impact. It addresses how the narrative, the author's biography, media influence, and public reception contribute to the series' status as an international bestseller.
- Biographical and professional trajectory of J.K. Rowling
- Publishing history and the factors behind the series' growth
- Core literary themes including character development and moral dichotomy
- Media, marketing, and the role of the internet in promoting the series
- Critical perspectives, including cultural controversies and legal disputes
Excerpt from the Book
2.3.1 Good vs. Evil
Dealing with good and evil is one of the most important themes in literature. Harry representing good and the Dark Lord Voldemort representing evil are the central antagonists in the story. In spite of the many fabulous elements in the story, Joanne Rowling does not stress the black-and-white portrayal of her characters, but shows multi-layered and complex persons. Harry, the “good guy”, acts sometimes in a silly way and hastily. Due to his “saving-people-thing” he regularly brings his friends Ron and Hermione into danger and finally his rash actions cause the death of his godfather.
On the other hand, Professor Quirrel, the stammering, anxious Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher in HP1, is too weak to resist the evil powers of Lord Voldemort and Professor Snape, the Potions master, saves Harry’s life, even though he loathes Harry from the first moment they meet and never misses a chance to bully Harry in class.
Particularly as the story moves into its fifth year, the reader has to question the loyalties of almost every character and comes to realise that there is not only black or white – good or bad – but different shades of grey.
Summary of Chapters
1 Joanne K. Rowling – The Creator of Harry Potter: This chapter outlines the early life, education, and professional background of J.K. Rowling, highlighting the moment of inspiration that led to the creation of the series.
2.1 Publishing History of the Harry Potter Series: This section details the series' acquisition by Bloomsbury and its rapid ascent to international commercial success across various markets.
2.2 A Cinderella Story: This chapter analyzes the narrative constructed around Rowling’s own life and compares it to the themes present in the development of the Harry Potter character.
2.3 Central Themes of Harry Potter: This section explores the structural consistency of the plot and the moral development of characters, focusing on the dichotomy of good and evil and the protagonist's maturation.
2.4 The Internet: This chapter discusses how the internet served as a vital platform for fan engagement and media discourse surrounding the books.
2.5 Commercialisation: This section evaluates the impact of merchandise and movie adaptations on the public perception and commercial growth of the series.
2.6 Voices against Harry Potter: This chapter covers the critical and societal backlash, including concerns from religious groups and accusations of plagiarism.
3 Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the series' ongoing success, suggesting that a combination of narrative quality and effective media management sustained its popularity.
4 Reading List: This section lists the sources and references utilized in the research.
5 Pictures: This section provides a collection of visual materials documenting book covers and promotional media.
Keywords
Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Literature, Publishing history, Commercialisation, Media, Internet, Good vs. Evil, Character development, Plagiarism, Fantasy, Popular culture, Film adaptation, Fan culture, Critical reception.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
This paper explores the multifaceted reasons behind the immense success of the Harry Potter series, analyzing both its narrative structure and the external media-driven hype surrounding it.
Which thematic areas are prioritized in the text?
The work focuses on Rowling's biography, the publishing trajectory of the books, central literary themes like morality and maturation, the influence of the internet, and the controversy surrounding the books.
What is the primary objective of the author?
The primary goal is to investigate the "magic" behind Harry Potter's success by examining the intersection between the author's story, the books' reception in society, and their commercial impact.
What research methodology is applied here?
The paper utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing biographical data, publishing history, and critical media discourse to provide an overview of the series as a global phenomenon.
What specific topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the creation of the series, the development of the "Rowling legend," core themes, the role of the internet and commercialization in the series' growth, and diverse critical voices including controversies and lawsuits.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Literature, Commercialisation, Media, Good vs. Evil, and Fan culture.
How does the author address the controversy surrounding the books?
The paper highlights that critics, such as some religious groups, interpreted the books as promoting occultism, and discusses the specific legal accusations of plagiarism regarding the name "Muggles."
What conclusion does the author draw regarding the series' longevity?
The author concludes that the series' success is due to a unique blend of high-quality narrative imagination, humorous storytelling, and massive interest from both fans and the media.
- Quote paper
- Isabel Zosig (Author), 2003, The Phenomenon "Harry Potter" - The Secret of its success, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/23788
