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The Wizarding Phenomenon of Harry Potter


Over the past 20 or so years, Harry Potter has become a household name. Everybody knows the story of the Boy Who Lived and his enemy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone unfamiliar with the famous franchise; even those who never read the books or seen the movies has at least heard the name. The global effect of author J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world is phenomenal, but what makes the story of the young wizard so enticing?

Harry Potter took the world by storm not only because of its wonderful cast of characters and in-depth world building, but its opportunity for self-insertion really boosts its fame.

People love labels. It’s a part of why astrology is so popular, why months have birthday gemstones, why MBTI personality types are emphasized. Being able to belong to a group while simultaneously feeling special is something many people strive to find, and finding labels helps people feel defined. If you think about popular YA series, many include groups or factions that the characters must identify with. Percy Jackson and the Olympians has the godly parents and their accompanying cabins. The Hunger Games has districts; Divergent has factions. Harry Potter, however, has the most famous fictional groupings: Hogwarts Houses. Everybody familiar with the series knows their house, and the author even made an official quiz that tells people where they’d be sorted. Merchandise is made by the truckload (and purchased just as fast) so fans can display their allegiance, and Warner Bros. Studios even allows special guests to get sorted by an actual sorting hat.

People take pride in their House, not only because of the aforementioned love of being defined, but because they feel closer to the novel. If they know their Hogwarts House, patronus, and even wand type, they can imagine themselves easily in the Wizarding World as a Hogwarts student. It also lets fans spot each other in public spaces. A nod or smile between two people sporting similar fandom merch always lights a spark of excitement. This camaraderie is a significant part of what propelled Harry Potter’s fame into the stratosphere. Of course, I don’t mean to downplay JK Rowling’s incredible story-telling abilities. The story itself does most of the work. However, the power of the fanbase and the feeling of inclusion cannot be ignored. Harry Potter allows for fans to connect with the story on a personal level, and as a fellow Hufflepuff, I can affirm that Hogwarts Houses hold a special importance among Harry Potter fans.

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