Harry Potter

Over the summer in preparation for the upcoming Harry Potter film "The Deathly Hollows", I have been re-reading the acclaimed series by J.K. Rowling. I have always enjoyed the series, but I was never struck by Rowling's writing skills. I thought of the series as an interesting children's book, but nothing more. I did not consider it to be the kind of "good" literature which I was studying in countless English literature courses which, "had stood the test of time."

However, Rowling provides outstanding character development throughout the series. Flat characters in earlier books become round characters in others. Neville Longbottom, for instance, begins the series as a minor character. A forgetful boy who provides comic relief for our three main characters. As the story progresses our friendship with Neville, like that of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, blossoms as the second and third book progress. Even so, Neville becomes the goodhearted, but unfortunately dim student for whom the others feel sorry.

However, beginning in the fourth book, Rowling introduces us to Neville's complicated past giving us insight into his family background. On the back of these revelations, Neville becomes an important member of Dumbledore's Army and incidently, the Order of the Phoenix. While Neville remains a minor character in the novel, he is no longer a two dimensional character which serves only the purpose of comic relief.

He is much more complicated than that, and we find that his story becomes as important as Harry's in the quest to rid the world of Voldemort once and for all. Neville is just one example of Rowling's character development. Other minor characters like Fleur Delacour, Dobby, and Aunt Petunia, continue to drive the plot line of the series in ways that for which the short glimpses of the characters in previous novels could not have prepared us. Rowling shows the same care with major characters in the series, such as Snape, Sirius, and the Weasleys, so that the reader feels that with each book they are deepening their relationship with the characters. By the end of the series, it is no wonder that many reader find themselves crying over characters who passed in the onslaught of the fighting, and cheering over the final defeat of Voldemort.

Rowling's attention to detail is masterful. I have a new appreciation for her work and her talent. This riveting series will no doubt continue to capture the hearts and minds of people of all ages for many years to come.