Prompt #1

Pensieve Perceptions 

I began reading the Harry Potter series in the fifth grade. Although it was a long time ago, I remember the emotions I felt reading it for the first time. Particularly in Sorcerer’s Stone, I was greatly impacted by the excitement of the magical world and I definitely related to Harry’s adolescent struggles in the early novels. Naturally, I didn’t stop at one reading of the series, but as soon as I finished Goblet of Fire (which was the last book out at the time) I started re-reading them from the beginning.

            Now as an older and more sophisticated reader, I can appreciate the Harry Potter series for much different reasons. I now recognize the unique characteristics that Harry possesses. To grow up in a household with the insufferable Durlseys, and yet to become a person with such strong moral character and stable relationships is a huge accomplishment. J.K. Rowling really wrote novels full of triumph; friendship, adversity and most importantly love. These strong themes are something I only realized once my perceptions had changed, as I grew more mature.

            Perceptions can also be different for the novels based on the reader themselves. My sister does not enjoy reading, however I coerced her into reading Sorcerer’s Stone shortly after I finished it the first time. She didn’t make it 3 Chapters into the novel before she quit reading. She couldn’t relate to the characters, she wasn’t enthralled by the magical world, and she couldn’t understand why I was so interested. Although her viewpoint is obviously the minority, it is interesting to me that she couldn’t have the same experience reading that I did. It still baffles me that she didn’t fall in love with the story, nor grow up with the characters like I did.

            Reading the Harry Potter series continues to be a unique experience every time I read it. I always discover something new, but most importantly my own experiences have affected my perception of the text. By growing older, having new experiences, and hearing the books perspective through another person, I have become aware of the unique complexity of the Harry Potter books, and how they can be read differently based off different perceptions.