Sunday, July 31, 2005

On the Road

We are heading to the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville, Texas today. This wonderful camp has been one of the greatest things that ever happened to our youngest entling. On the way we are going to try and work this Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince crossword.

Treebeard finished it last night so we could FINALLY all talk about it as a family. I have always enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series but THIS book has stayed with me and I find myself continuing to thinking about it.

Here is a very interesting article, originally from the Dallas Morning News on the Christian imagery that can be read into the story. Years ago I ended up in a conversation with someone who disliked the books because of the magic themes. Typically, the person had NOT read the books but had bought into The Onion send up and other things they had "heard" about the books. I shared my personal feeling that there was a Christian message developing in the story. I don't know if they ever read the books but maybe I gave them something to think about. Come to think of it, their daughter has read the books and is a tremendous fan, maybe they trusted me.

A lot of people didn’t know what the books were about. They got all worked up because someone would say how evil they were, and then they wouldn’t read the books. Now some of the people who didn’t want to read the books have seen the movies, and that may have alleviated their fears.”

Burkart, 34, teaches creative writing on the college level. She says she has been impressed by the way the books help her children, ages 12, 10 and 8, understand their Catholic faith.

“One of the most powerful connections my son made was when he was in the fourth grade,” Burkart said. “He told me that when Harry drives the serpent’s tooth through Tom Riddle’s journal in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, that reminded him of how Christ destroyed Satan’s book of lies when they drove the nails through Christ’s hands and feet.

“And he told me that when the phoenix’s tears heal Harry, that made him think of Christ’s tears at the crucifixion. That’s how Christ heals us.”

1 comment:

Kelly said...

Have a great trip, Camille. I've enjoyed reading your blog when I've been unable to post. I hope your child has a great time at camp.