by Peyton Blumenfeld ’22

It’s been 20 years since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came out in theaters, and it’s safe to say that the Boy Who Lived is still highly relevant. The magical Wizarding World has touched our lives in all sorts of ways, and there is no denying the major cultural impact it’s had on our generation. 

I will admit that I once shunned the idea of reading Harry Potter. I assumed that only “nerds” read that fantasy nonsense. Little did I know how much of an effect that “nonsense” would have on me and billions of others. With more than 500 million copies of the books sold, Harry Potter opened up children’s imaginations all over the world. After immersing yourself in this fantasy realm, a realization sparks. The world may seem dull, but with works of art like Harry Potter, a glimmer of pleasure and enjoyment can shine through the pages. When I was young, and had no one else to turn to, I could always count on these characters to raise my spirits. These books taught me the value of friendship and loyalty like no other piece of media had done before.

Harry Potter didn’t just go away after the books and movies. The spellbinding world was literally able to be brought to life through Universal’s creation of the Wizarding World in Orlando. The theme park allows people’s fantasies to turn into a reality. Along with the experience, merchandise and food from the books were animated too, giving everyone the chance to live the Harry Potter lifestyle. 

Although reading has been on a constant decline in this technological era we are in, J.K. Rowling has kept children and young adult literacy afloat. If it weren’t because of Harry Potter, I doubt I would be the avid reader I am now. The series of books got so many kids to fall in love with reading, and helped their parents and other adults to re-discover their own joy in reading a great book. Before Harry Potter, children’s books were fairly short in length. Harry Potter served to prove that kids could read beyond expectations. And it isn’t just for kids! Anybody, no matter their age, is able enjoy these novels filled with enchantment, deception, and mystery. Harry Potter will continue to captivate readers for many generations to come. It’s truly astonishing that just seven books can inspire an entire growing generation. 

Alas, at the end of the day, this mystical universe that we indulge ourselves in will always and forever be called just a fantasy. It drives us to yearn for the make-believe. But with that being said, it’s true that “Of course it is happening inside your head. . . but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”