Enchantment among the ruins

Flying broomsticks. Talking hats. Magical wands. Sounds like a child's magical wonderland. And it is. But it goes so far beyond being a fantasy world merely for children. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the movie, has found box office success among youngsters and senior citizens alike. Why the universal appeal? Especially during a time of national stress and national emergency, as qualifies the time following Sept. 11, people want to be enchanted by another world. Thus, on Nov. 16, opening night, Harry Potter became an immediate success, charming U.S. audiences no matter what the age.

Within about two and a half weeks, the movie reeled in 220 million dollars, the fourth movie this year to break the 200 million-dollar mark. And the film spent three weeks at the top of the charts but was bumped to second place this past weekend. However, the success isn't only found in the sphere of movies; the Harry Potter phenomenon has all stemmed from J.K. Rowling's novel series. Indeed, more than 30 million Harry Potter books translated into 35 languages have been sold. Eventually to be a series of seven, four books have been published, and Harry Potter fans everywhere are eagerly awaiting the fifth.

Although there are select critics of the movie (i.e. some religious groups who don't want to encourage witchcraft among their followers and groups who feel that the imagination far exceeds any interpretation that the screen could give to Harry Potter), there has clearly been an overwhelming response to the 'other world' of Harry Potter. Inclusive beyond a doubt, it makes children feel more mature and adults feel younger, whimsically bonding generations in a feel-good way. This is exactly the sort of remedy that the nation can use.

For several weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, I would awaken bolt upright during the middle of the night, sweating from nightmares in which I was surrounded by more terrorism: Anthrax attacks and brutal beatings were the most common and horrifying images. Needless to say, these nightmares were not contributing to my overall well-being or my general happiness.

But what has brought me comfort and hope during this time have been little things: laughing with my friends and family, partying at the 'Street,' attending arch sings, dining out and, yes, going to the movies. While these comforts are nothing more than daily or weekly events, they have served to recreate a sense of optimism that was clearly shattered. And slowly, my nightmares have disappeared.

This manifestation of people desiring to find a new sense of courage and comfort during a national emergency has also been illustrated by the booming business that restaurants have encountered. Packed into a social setting, Americans, searching for reassurance, want to be surrounded by other people, and what better place to do so than a restaurant. Within this surrounding, there is the awareness that life can and will continue at its ever-increasing pace.

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" also provides a sense comfort; in this movie, there is the potential to lose oneself in a whirl of magic and sorcery. Thus, the Harry Potter movie premiered in the United States when there was a strong desire to see good prevail, at a time when a fantasy world seemed such a happy place. In a way, the Harry Potter phenomenon seems to be an echo from a prior time with a different outlet for escape, that distraction being Shirley Temple.

During the Depression, Shirley Temple, again only a child, became a huge movie star as a symbol of hope. She shone with light and youth, qualities that seemed to be missing from the period. With her blond ringlets and bright smile, Shirley Temple conveyed a positive attitude; her movies were hits.

Granted, the Depression was a very different time, but the same idea stands: People want to see good prevail. They want happiness and joy. And whether these emotions were found through a little girl or a boy wizard, the two characters created the same carefree feeling in the moviegoers.

No, Harry Potter isn't great literature, nor will the film be remembered among the classics. But the universal appeal is found in the fantastic, magical world that so easily engulfs the imagination of all Americans. This feel-good movie succeeds in linking together the American people in a comforting and optimistic manner that is so welcome, especially now. Scott Jeffrey is from Washington, DC. She can be reached at sjeffrey@princeton.edu.