The Harry Potter Effect in Taiwan Author: Wei-Ching Lai(Department of Children English Education, National Taipei University of Education)、Meng-Chuan Lu(Department of English, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 50, No.2
Date：October 2005
Pages：47-67
DOI：10.6210/JNTNULL.2005.50(2).03

Abstract：

This article aims to explore why and how the Harry Potter series could so easily attract Taiwan's preteen and teen readers, who are not supposed to be book lovers; furthermore, it will investigate how the Harry Potter fad has affected these same preteens and teens. The essay proper deals with the three following issues. First, literature as a commodity-we will discuss cultural industries in the late twentieth century, and treat the Harry Potter series as a commercial success. Second, the causes of international Harry Potter phenomenon-we will suggest that the craze for Harry Potter may result from a combination of successful marketing, readers' psychological need for fantasy, and the author's marvelous, trans-generic story which combines elements and techniques of children's fantasy literature, young adult adventure literature, and "school stories". Third, the "effects" of Harry Potter on Taiwan's society, culture, educational system-we claim that the reading of Harry Potter by preteens and teens cultivates good reading habits, enhances their imagination and develops their independent thinking. This paper combines textual analysis with the critical approach of cultural studies, giving a certain emphasis to such socio-cultural concerns as marketing, psychology, and education. The data in this study are based on a questionnaire that we gave to a group of young students.

Keywords：Harry Potter, cultural industries, cultural studies, children's fantasy genre, young adult adventure genre, school stories

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