Exercise 14.8

               The first Harry Potter book, published in 1997, was a publishing sensation that turned into a worldwide phenomenon. Many people saw the Harry potter books as valuable, for a variety of reasons. For example, they turn lots of kids to book readers generation after generation. Kids who never read even twenty pages’ book, thanks to Harry Potter, these kids read 8 hounded pages ‘books with pure enthusiasm. Also, since Harry Potter books are written about a fantasy world- a world that does not exist in real life-, the readers can feel themselves in a new world. A world full with interesting stuff, details about an imaginary school, rules that perfectly make sense in wizard’s world let readers to give themselves a break from the seriousness of the real life. However, some people have criticized the series, for example, that Christine Schoefer on her article blames Harry Potter’s series for being sexism. She pointed out that female’s characters are too emotional and powerless in books. Others like Michiko Kakutani believe that books are getting badly dark years after years. Lots of characters die in the last books, Harry finds out that his dad was not perfect model for him, and he starts to have a connection with Lord Voldemort which make him even dangerous person sometimes. Depending on the criteria used for evaluation, the Harry Potter books can be seen in positive or negative terms. If we judge them on the basis of popularity, percentage of kids who start to read books and incredible and fascinating world that J.K. Rowling creates for millions of people around the world ,it seems clear that they are deserve their popularity.

Harry Potter's Girl Trouble,

Harry Potter's Girl Trouble,

·         Schoefer believes women in general characterized so weak in harry potter’s book. She believes there are not powerful and independent woman characters in the books and those who exist are so emotional and dependent on man and all of their effort is to impress men characters of the book. She establishes this criterion by bringing examples of different women characters and personalities of the book who are somehow incomplete like Hurry’s friend Hermione. As schoefer argues even though Hermione is incredibly smart, she desperately needs to prove herself to the boys of the book.

·         Schoefer tries to be fair in her argument so she starts her point with mentioning positive points in harry potter books. She points out the books are in the best sellers list, they make kids to readers, and the books are so attractive with all their details in a magical world which even made her as a grown up person to stick in them. I think she considers all positive features of the book that she could. The fact that she includes her personal experience with the books and mentioning that how attractive the books are for her helps her to make a justified argument. This shows she does not look at the issue only from negative point of view.

·         She support her argument with different example of women’s personality of the book including Hermione, Professor McGongall, and Ginny –Ron’s younger sister.In addition her final evidence is part of the book which with illustrate men and women in one place “there are funny little witches”  versa " wild looking warlocks” and after that she places her audience as a judge to decide which one is better? Her refutation is when she points out against her argument that women are weak personalities; people mention Hermione who is smartest student is the school.

·         I personally love Harry potter’s book and my reason for this is not because I imaged myself as the hero character of the books. I love it because her new world of magic that J.K Rowling pictured through her books and I don’t believe sexist is in Harry potters book. My answer is yes , this small issues could be ignored in Harry Potters series.

"Youre a Wizard"

• Write a response to Exercise 14.8 on page 414 of PA.
• Yes.
• The books have sold millions of copies so somebody must have thought they were good.
•  Harry Potter does deserve some recognition not only because they are innovative but because of who wrote them. JK Rowling was at a troubled time in her life and was in quite the financial situation. But on a bus ride she hatched the idea of Harry Potter. This is a true rags to riches story and proves that anyone can accomplish their dreams if they put in the time and effort.

More than meets the eye?

• using the "Structuring an Evaluation Argument" outline on pages 388-89 (PA), write an evaluation of your favorite (or least favorite) film.

Movie:Transformers

Transformers is a movie in which an alien race of robots has come to earth to find the cube. An ancient artifact that can give life to technology. This “movie” was very sub par… Now don’t get me wrong its not like I don’t like action and explosions. Its just when the explosions just try to make up for the acting. First off lets just throw out the whole Alien race idea and say that this is OK and real and could happen. There are just so many plot holes it makes me angry. Such as.. why did the cube only create evil robots? And if so then how come when Optimus was resseructed by it he was completely fine? And not evil. But lets forget about my nerdiness and focus on the actors… Hey Michael Bay!! I have an idea get an actress with good looks and a nice figure to distract people on how horribly she actually acts.  But alas I cant say it was a horrible movie because they made 3 of them… I guess America enjoys the action/ explosion/ hot actress more than an actual plot.

No offense to anyone who liked this movie…