Ok so this is for a a university paper (childrens lit), a point in the right direction in finding scholary sources would be outstanding.
And not just harry potter, whatever book you think deserves to be given status alongside the alice of wonderlands and huckleberry finns of the childrens literary world.
2007-05-15 19:56:07 · 10 answers · asked by Sarah 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
God no.
Its a publishing phenomenon certainly but I don't think it ranks alongside Mark Twain as a literary work.
More like Enid Blyton - which is no bad thing in itself.
Philip Pullman is a much better writer.
2007-05-15 20:00:52 · answer #1 · answered by Johnny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would argue ... YES
At a time when kids' energy was going to less and less academic things (like games on computers and consols), Harry Potter started kids reading again.
JKR also sews her "Amnesty International" values into that wizarding world where Purbloods vs Mudbloods, and other prejudices are put down.
That has the same effect as a Dickens novel that helped the influential rich society understand the plight of the lower class (Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist).
Mark Twain also gave that effect with "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Slaves had a friend in Huck.
2007-05-16 02:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by wizebloke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's difficult to say what makes a novel classic, and twice as difficult if you are trying to classify it from the viewpoint of Children's Literature. I think that some of the important aspects that make classic children's lit are:
Remarkable prose, which instills the children with an appreciation for the language.
Social lessons, like displaying the unfairness of prejudice from the recipient's point of view.
Not too much of a challenge to read, but provides large amounts of topics for discussion and critical thought.
From that point of view, I don't think Harry Potter qualifies, despite its almost inexaustable popularity. I can't imagine having a child read Harry Potter, than trying to discuss with them what the underlying theme is, and how it's important in their own life. You certainly can have that discussion with "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "To Kill a Mockingbird". Unfortunately, "classic" is an entirely subjective term.
2007-05-16 01:41:50 · answer #3 · answered by David T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be the children's classic of the late 20th, early 21st. The social effects on children reading needs to be taken into account as well.
As far as find scholarly source, there are specialized indexes for those purposes--check with your school's reference librarians.
2007-05-16 01:34:59 · answer #4 · answered by WolverLini 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Harry Potter is "cute" dribble - grabs the attention of silly children but hardly of any value to readers.
2007-05-15 20:04:02 · answer #5 · answered by Poetland 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
huh?it's not just a 21st century classic.it's a 21st cent/ m/piece. it's an epic n a legend role into one. truly ms rowling has a name etched in d hallmark of literary writers.
2007-05-18 02:18:50 · answer #6 · answered by Hermione J.Potter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!
I mean i love the book.. and children are going crazy about it but "classic"?? no way!!!
Dickens is classic
Dumas is classic
J Verne is classic
for JK Rowling it's too big shows to go it to... so no!
2007-05-15 20:37:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
harry potter may be the gripping sensation of today,but i dont think it can be given the status of a 'classic'. i think enid blyton's and ruskin bond's stories could be termed as what you call 'classic'.
2007-05-15 20:43:15 · answer #8 · answered by catchmeifucan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope not. But knowing historians, they'll label it as such.
2007-05-15 20:22:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
could be?? by i would say sophie kinsella, a chic lit author.hahaha
2007-05-15 19:59:08 · answer #10 · answered by be2heart 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋