Blog Prompt 2 Option 1- Molly Morgan

                  J.K. Rowling addresses children, and sometimes adults, issues they face throughout their lives. Going to a new school, making hard decisions, putting up with bullies, and learning new things about yourself are all very challenging issues.  I’m sure we could all agree we have faced at least one of these in our lives. The Harry Potter series or movies are, in my opinion, crucial to childhood upbringings because they provide an escape from reality and allow children to see how they get through the hardships they may face.

                  Whether you’re growing up with Harry, or watching Harry grow up, you will come to see how real the issues are he faces in the books and movies are in real life. One main issue Harry faces throughout the entire series is putting up with Draco Malfoy, the “bully” in the Slytherin house at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before the students are even sorted into their houses as first years at Hogwarts, Malfoy is already talking bad about Harry’s best friend Ron by saying he is poor; this is a common issue in our world today, many people are discriminated for what they don’t have (Rowling, Sorcerer’s Stone). Malfoy also refers to Hermione, Harry’s other best friend, as a “mud-blood” (Rowling, Chamber of Secrets.) This is an awful thing to say in the wizarding world, as it means "Muggle- born witch or wizard." This also creates a parallel of issues between reality and the Harry Potter series because of name-calling and judging people.

                  It is important that J.K. Rowling addressed these issues, especially bullying, because it provides children with an example that they are not alone and the world isn't only all bad. The Harry Potter movies and books are great ways for children to escape their realities and dive into the wonderful world of magic and imagination, while learning about issues and how to overcome them.