With at least 450 million books in mark worldwide , theHarry Potterseries is a general phenomenon [ reservoir : Time ] . translate into 74 languages , J.K. Rowling ’s dear " Potterverse " transcends all cultural bound [ generator : pedant ] . Although originally written for Thomas Kid and young grownup , the series has struck a chord with people of all ages . Its musical theme — death , morality , oppugn authority and prevailing over evil — resonate with almost everyone .
Perhaps more than anything , the Harry Potter book focus on tolerance . We ’re all told as children that reading opens our view and help us learn , but there ’s a sketch on " Harry Potter " that in reality proves the byword honest .
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology showed that young people who read the book and identified with lead character Harry Potter displayed a reduce bias toward minority grouping [ reservoir : Jacobs ] . In the books , although Harry is a mavin , he often associate with " Muggles " and " Mudbloods , " non - wizard grouping often vilified by other wizards . Harry and his friend process all people and creatures with deference as they fight for the forces of good and truth .
Professor Loris Vezzali of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy conducted the study with several groups of students . First , he had fifth - grader answer question about their opinions regardingimmigrants , an often - stigmatized group in Italy . Over the next six workweek , one group discussed specific passages from " Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets " with melodic theme of preconception . The second grouping discuss passages without those themes . At the final stage of the six weeks , both groups answered the same questions again . The students in the grouping who discuss themes of prejudice had developed more positive views of immigrants ( although , it ’s authoritative to take down , only the youngster who identified with the character of Harry Potter ) .
Vezzali conducted another field with high schooling student and find that student who name strongly with Harry Potter also had more positive perceptions of LGBT people . Vezzali also believes that people become more open to convert their views when they can identify with someone — be it a real soul or a beloved character like Harry Potter .
The author herself says this is no accident . In her 2008 commencement name and address at Harvard University , J.K. Rowling spoke of her feelings about bias : " Choosing to live in narrow-minded space lead to a kind of genial agoraphobia , and that bring its own terrors . I cogitate the wilfully uninspired see more monsters . They are often more afraid . What is more , those who pick out not to sympathize enable real monster . For without ever commit an act of outright evil ourselves , we collude with it , through our own apathy " [ reservoir : Harvard Magazine ] .
