Zipes view on Harry Potter

This week I will like to talk about Zipes. We havn't talked about him for quite sometime now. When reading the section on Harry Potter I developed some strong interests. I have to confuess I have never read these books nor seen the movies. I have a very poor perception of the books because I have seen my friends and family obsess over the reading and the movies. My sister was one of those who stood in lines for hours just to see the first showing. It have gotten crazy. I often find myself out of conversation because people refernece the books. I am not in a hurry to see them primarily because my friends and family have obsessed over them too much and they have become the new craze. So many people have thought of my as in human because my lack of interest in them. I appreciate both literature and the film industry, however I am not interested because I have this obligation to fall in love with the books and movies so I can join the rest of the crowd. I would like feed back from my fellow class mates on the topic of harry potter. How do you feel about the book? Also do you agree with Zipes when he states: "I felt they were formulaic and sexist". Really what does Zipes mean by this? I havn't read the books but I have come to the conclusion that they might be formulaic because each book is a transition of another. This week I would like my group to educate me. Zipes was right when he stated: "Anyone working in the feild of children's literature cannot avoid Harry Potter". It is kinda ironic that he is the reason the topic has been brought up.

Skellig

Skellig by David Almond was an interesting read. I am wondering what Skellig is. Is he an angel a man or a bird? This hasn’t been disclosed. I am leaning toward angel because of what he’s been doing and bringing about since Michael found him in the garage. I think my favorite character in the story has got to be Mina. She just helps Michael to understand so many things including what to do with Skellig. I find this book to be different from the other things we have read in class. Since the fantastical parts of the story are a part of the real world and this story is less fantasy with Skellig being the only fantastical character and him being like a guardian angel to Michael and the other people in Michael’s life. I found this book hard to put down and since it was an easy read for me I finished it in no time. So, as not to give away the ending of the book to those who haven’t finished it I will just bring in things from the first half. I like how they discuss the shoulder blades and what they are for. When Michael asks his mom what the shoulder blades are for she tells him that “They say that shoulder blades are where your wings were, when you were an angel. They say they’re where your wings will grow again one day.” (38-39) I loved this explanation and idea. I think it is a very good explanation of what shoulder blades are for and it goes along with the story of Skellig very well. This again brings back the question of what is Skellig, an angel bird or man. Perhaps he is a combination of one or more of these possibilities. I also love the concept of family in this story where they all stick together trough what has been happening with the baby. This book is very good. I’m happy I got to read it.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Personally, I am not particularly enjoying the book, simply because I feel the plot and themes are too simple. If the plot is simple, then the writing should be descriptive and fun to make up for it--this book does not have that balance. Lewis does not to a very thorough job at describing the land of Narnia, or go into great detail about the characters, except in some cases for their appearance. I have had to rely on what I can recall from the movie in order to visualize the characters and settings, and this should not be the case.

As I have been reading, I can't help but notice the religious themes throughout the book. Most obviously, the children are referred to as Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve. The White Witch somewhat is a satanic figure, tempting and wishing to do harm to the children. Aslan is depicted as Christ-like character, representing safety and goodness.

It seems that Lewis is only using fantasy to disguise a sermon. I can appreciate children's literature having moral messages, but I feel that the religiousness is a bit overt. I would not necessarily recommend these books, unless parents are sure to explain the themes, and inform the children about the underlying messages throughout the book.