Now that is has been a while since it's release a well rounded consensus can be established. Disregarding the overall quality of the execution of how the story was told, did it have a reason for existing? Did anybody feel that the book justified its existence by providing a well needed chapter of emotional development missing from Harry Potter's character arc?
Maybe an approach could be, what does Harry Potter and the Cursed Child add to the universe and understanding of Harry Potter that wasn't there better in just the books, films, and cult followings? – Kevin8 years ago
It is important to note that Cursed Child is a piece of theatre co-written by two other people. It brings HP to the stage while still presenting something new. It is completely different and it definitely has a reason for existing, as evidenced by the tickets sold out from now until eternity. – Christen Mandracchia8 years ago
This is a difficult topic to approach because, technically speaking, there is no reason any form of art should exist. It might serve a good function but it serves a constructed one, either through the artist's vision or through society's desires. When looking at the latest installment in Harry Potter, I would keep the facts strictly true and twist the discussion toward a more interesting one, which might be: does an author have the right to promulgate or continue a story even if it is to the story's detriment? Perhaps this isn't a question worth answering, but it is worth considering especially with the possessive nature of fandom today. – atiku8 years ago
Was "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" a worthy continuation to the Harry Potter series? I actually think this a very interesting topic to explore. It's true that it is a piece for theatre above anything else but it still continuing the story of the novels. I also have the question of whether the story should have been told in novel form verses in stage form. Why continue the story in a different format? – MatthewSimmons8 years ago
I believe that this is a very interesting topic that would make a great read. It is quite arguable whether or not there is a valid reason for it's existence. I'm sure some feel as if it was a wonderful continuation, while others find it just a way to extract more money from devoted Potterheads. I personally would take this on by writing how The Cursed Child helped you learn more information about your already beloved characters. – jccrockett8 years ago
The Cursed Child has a reason for existing insofar as it brings Harry Potter to a new medium--the stage. Though A Very Potter Musical exists, JKR had never been part of a theater adaptation of the series, and by creating the play, an opportunity for a new audience to experience the series, and long standing fans have a chance to experience the series in a new format. The actual story, however, didn't seem to be a worthwhile addition to the canon. In the sense of continuity, the characters did not read the same in the play as they do in the books or movies. And then in the sense of fiction practice and ethics, characters should arguably let free after a series has finished--the author has already constructed a story that should leave the audience with distinct enough impressions of the characters for readers to determine for themselves what comes of their lives. – mrgawlik8 years ago
I myself am very contradicted about this. I go back and forth about it a lot. Overall though, I think I've come to the conclusion that it was great to see how Harry's kids turned out. I would've never thought Albus would actually become a Slytherin. I never thought that people would think Scorpious would be the son of the dark Lord. It was fun to see these new characters go through their own adventure, especially since i was so enthralled with them after reading the epilogue – Jenae8 years ago
I think its better to question if Rowling should have allowed others to (in my opinion mar her legacy) interfere with her works. Did the co-authors do justice to the series or was it more of a money making attempt. Was the character development and style what fans came to expect from Rowling, how has The Cursed Child helped or hurt her readership or how her fans view her now as opposed to before The Cursed Child came out? – ADumbuya8 years ago
The reason was money, I believe. – T. Palomino2 years ago
With the newest book in the Harry Potter universe coming out soon, and considering the new movie "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" entering theatres in November, discuss the different ways in which the Harry Potter universe has attracted millions of fans. Consider the writing style of the books, the movies, the theme parks, and all of the things that make Harry Potter what it is today. Discuss where you expect the wizarding world to go, and how it has impacted our world.
In J.K. Rowling's acclaimed series, there is a clear separation between good and evil. The reader is aligned with Hogwarts and the 'good' wizards, and Voldemort and his followers are clearly characterized as evil. Dementors and Death Eaters are continuously attempting to invade the walls of Hogwarts, and are willing to kill anyone who gets in their way of securing power. If J.K. Rowling drew upon World War II for the series, can that view be shifted to how the series can now be read in relation to terrorism? Analyze the ways in which Death Eaters resemble terrorist organizations. What does this say about our culture? How can we learn from the series using this lens?
As an idea the Death Eaters exemplify terrorism but at it's core it's really hard to say/argue. I feel like they are the embodiment of terror because the books make it a little too easy for us to see them as people. They don't get character development, like Bellatrix a lot of them come off as just wanting to watch the world burn. On that note, there is always Draco. A good angle this article could take is: Draco Malfoy helping people sympathize with children in radical families. Death Eaters aren't brainwashed by religion like modern day terrorists but as the books point out in a lot of cases they are pressured into it, feeling like they have no other choice, and that it's submit to Voldemort or die. – Slaidey9 years ago
Are you aiming to explore Death Eaters as "weapons" or terror as as state sanctioned vehicle to spread fear of terrorism or a way to control it. It might be a more effective argument to take Death Easters as weapons of fear and control, given that they are operated under the "state power" which in this case would be the ministry. For example as one of the comments above has suggested here, Death Eaters are clearly not brainwashed but rather, it is their nature and function to spread fear. – aferozan9 years ago
I'm actually going to go ahead and take this topic up. It seems like an interesting topic to discuss. It's pretty well established that Rowling drew inspiration from the Nazis, but puritan ideology exists even today, and future generations may look back at this series, coming as terrorism becomes a real problem in the world, and may very well assume that was its inspiration. – Adnan Bey9 years ago
Looking forward to this article Adnan. – Munjeera8 years ago
There's a pretty interesting (and amusing) video that Cracked made a couple of years ago that might shed some light on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz88P6tL9wc – ProtoCanon8 years ago
There has been a lot of debate over the newest installment in the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, particularly from the Native American community. This is shocking to a lot of people, mainly the hardcore Harry Potter fandom who eagerly await the movie. Most fans are unsure whether this dissent from the Native American community is valid. A well-written article should address both sides of the argument and clearly lay out the issue.
Rowling recently released the house mascots of her new American Wizarding school. These mascots are based off of mythological animals in Native American culture. They are: The Horned Serpent, The Thunderbird, The Wampus and the Pukwudgie. These 'fantastic beasts' are steeped in traditional Native oral histories and I think it could be fun to delve into their stories and examine what they mean to Native culture.
This seems like a very interesting topic. As an aid Harry Potter fan myself, I would absolutely love to take this article up. But, I think I'd hold off until I've actually watched the movie. In my opinion, this is much better written once the movie has entered the cinematic world and the official Harry Potter canon. If, by that time, this topic is still open, I'll be back. – Adnan Bey9 years ago
I agree with the above. When we've seen what place and role the 'beasts' have in the film, then there'll be much more to discuss and chew over. – J.P. Shiel9 years ago
When it comes to the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, are the techniques used to develop the plot potentially hiding the protagonists' fantastical identities from the rest of humanity? Also, is there a significance of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds that help explain how the characters identities are hidden throughout the series?
I don't see the relation between keeping the fantastic world hidden from "the rest of humanity" and the use of the techniques to develop the plot. Also, how does this relate in any way to diegetic and non-diegetic sounds? – T. Palomino2 years ago
You're talking about the movies, aren't you? Otherwise, how will sound be a factor to analyze in the books? – T. Palomino2 years ago
For years after the success of the Harry Potter series, many new fantasy novels followed that proclaimed to be "the next Harry Potter." From Percy Jackson and the Olympians to the Inheritance series, many reviewers have compared these books to J.K. Rowling's masterpiece but yet sales and following movie adaptions have fallen short. What elements does a book series need to catapult it to the same level of fame and can it ever be replicated?
Think about The Hero's Journey – CarlaJasmine9 years ago
You also should discuss the apeal the Harry Potter series has for people of all ages and look into othe books that have had wide audiences, such as The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia. These were similarly population books before Harry Potter even if they werent as widespread. – rcmmh109 years ago
Definitely explore the time period HP skyrocketed to fame, and the books that had been doing well at that time as well. Half of success is all in demand, which hinges on time! – Juliann9 years ago
The timing of the books made a huge impact on the popularity, but fads come in waves. Eventually we will see another franchise make the same, or at least similar, cultural impact that Harry Potter did. Explore what other franchises made that impact before Harry Potter. – Joseph9 years ago
I think there is opportunity to create something similar, but its hard to compare anything to such – semelejansen9 years ago
