Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles

Last updated

Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles
AuthorGrace Ann Parsons, as proudhousewife (authorship disputed)
LanguageEnglish
Series Harry Potter (non-canonical fan fiction)
Genre
Media type Fan fiction

Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles is a Harry Potter -based fan fiction, serially published on FanFiction.Net by Grace Anne Parsons under the username proudhousewife. The fan fiction rewrites the Harry Potter series as an Evangelical version and replaces magic with prayer and religious phenomena. [1] [2] The fanfiction went viral because of its extreme religious overtones and unpolished writing style, and subsequently became the target of online criticism and analysis.

Contents

Synopsis

Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles recasts Harry Potter as an American orphan raised by his atheistic, career-driven Aunt Petunia and meek Uncle Vernon Dursley. Harry is converted to Christianity when Hagrid, an Evangelical missionary, knocks on the Dursleys' door and proselytizes. He attends Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles where he learns how to use prayer as incantations from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, and meets Dumbledore's wife Minerva and daughter Hermione. The story is interspersed with moral lessons and the author's interpretation of certain Biblical verses. The students at Hogwarts are divided into four "Hats" (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw) based loosely on real-world Christian denominations (Evangelical Christianity, Catholicism, "lukewarm" Christianity and an "extremist" Christianity). As the plot advances, Harry and his friends uncover the evil plans of Tom Riddle (best known by his social media username "Voldemort"), a powerful figure who appears to be lobbying to make Christianity illegal.

Reception and analysis

The fanfiction went viral in 2014, and garnered an almost universally negative reaction from critics for its plot, writing and message. Many commentators considered the work and its supposed author to be part of an elaborate satire, [3] with Relevant saying it "smacks of an Internet hoax from a prankster curious to see if anyone will swallow his or her story." [4] David Mikkelsen of Snopes concluded that "While there is indeed a Christian Harry Potter fanfiction story circulating the Internet, the writer’s intent was satirical and was not part of a plan to create a published set of Harry Potter books suitable for Christian readers and stripped of troublesome references to witchcraft and wizardry." [5]

Laura Turner, writing for Religion News Service , considered it to be a work of satire written by an author who wanted to lampoon Evangelicalism. Turner pointed out that the author had no other online presence, and that the name "Grace Parsons" seemed like a thinly veiled gag. Commenting on the use of negative stereotypes about Evangelical Christians, Turner concluded that the work was probably a hoax. [6]

Chris Ostendorf of The Daily Dot was critical of the writing, grammar and plot of the work, saying that the author "makes E. L. James look like Shakespeare." [7] David L. Garcia of SF Weekly sharply criticized it for having a poor grasp on the original source material, saying "Regardless of your beliefs, if you've read the books you're probably going to laugh at how much Grace Ann gets wrong." [8]

Madeleine Davies of Jezebel criticized the author's "Christian-friendly" plot, including revision of female characters, its rejection of the theory of evolution, and its unflattering portrayal of Christian denominations such as Catholicism and Episcopalianism. [9] Rachel Rosenbaum, writing for The State Hornet, said that it "takes once intellectual and brave female characters and demotes them to nothing more than Betty Crocker because our nurturing and loving traits, she states, 'serve… best in the home'." [10]

Carolyn Cox of The Mary Sue took the fanfiction more seriously, calling it a "Chick tract" full of "idolatrous Weasleys, a Southern Dumbledore, and thinly-veiled comparisons between Voldemort and Obama." [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Severus Snape</span> Fictional character in the Harry Potter series

Severus Snape is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. In the first five novels, he is the professor of Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the sixth book, he teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts, and in the seventh book he ascends to the position of headmaster before his death. Snape is hostile towards Harry Potter throughout the series; Harry eventually learns that Snape was bullied by Harry's father, James Potter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord Voldemort</span> Fictional character from Harry Potter

Lord Voldemort is a character and the main antagonist in J. K. Rowling's series of Harry Potter novels. The character first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was published in 1997, and returned either in person or in flashbacks in each book and its film adaptation in the series except the third, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, in which he is only mentioned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albus Dumbledore</span> Fictional character from Harry Potter

Prof. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. For most of the series, he is the headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts. He is also the founder and leader of the Order of the Phoenix, an organisation dedicated to fighting the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort.

<i>Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone</i> 1997 fantasy novel by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling. The first novel in the Harry Potter series and Rowling's debut novel follows Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage on his eleventh birthday when he receives a letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry makes close friends and a few enemies during his first year at the school. With the help of his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, he faces an attempted comeback by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents but failed to kill Harry when he was just 15 months old.

<i>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix</i> 2003 fantasy novel by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling and the fifth novel in the Harry Potter series. It follows Harry Potter's struggles through his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the surreptitious return of the antagonist Lord Voldemort, O.W.L. exams, and an obstructive Ministry of Magic. The novel was published on 2 April 2003 by Bloomsbury in the United Kingdom, Scholastic in the United States, and Raincoast in Canada. It sold five million copies in the first 24 hours of publication.

<i>Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</i> 2000 fantasy novel by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling and the fourth novel in the Harry Potter series. It follows Harry Potter, a wizard in his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the mystery surrounding the entry of Harry's name into the Triwizard Tournament, in which he is forced to compete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Magic</span> Fictional governmental organisation from Harry Potter

The Ministry of Magic is the government of the Magical community of Britain in J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World, headed by an official entitled the Minister for Magic. The magical government in Britain is first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; the Ministry makes its first proper appearance in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003). Throughout the books, it is regularly depicted as corrupt, elitist and completely incompetent, with its high-ranking officials blind to ominous events and unwilling to take action against threats to wizard society. In Order of the Phoenix, Dolores Umbridge was placed at Hogwarts to observe the happenings within the school, and prevent the spread of news concerning the return of Lord Voldemort. It reaches a zenith of corruption, before being effectively taken over by Voldemort. At the end of the final book, following Voldemort's death, Kingsley Shacklebolt is revealed to have become the Minister for Magic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Potter (character)</span> Protagonist of the Harry Potter literature series

Harry James Potter is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. The plot of the seven-book series chronicles seven years in the life of the orphan Harry, who, on his eleventh birthday, learns he is a wizard. He attends Hogwarts, a school of magic, where he receives guidance from the headmaster Albus Dumbledore and becomes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry learns that during his infancy, the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort murdered his parents but was unable to kill him as well. The plot of the series revolves around Harry's struggle to adapt to the wizarding world and defeat Voldemort.

<i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</i> 2007 fantasy novel by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling and the seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series. It was released on 21 July 2007 in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury Publishing, in the United States by Scholastic, and in Canada by Raincoast Books. The novel chronicles the events directly following Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) and the final confrontation between the wizards Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort.

<i>Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince</i> 2005 fantasy novel by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling and the sixth and penultimate novel in the Harry Potter series. Set during Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, the novel explores the past of the boy wizard's nemesis, Lord Voldemort, and Harry's preparations for the final battle against Voldemort alongside his headmaster and mentor Albus Dumbledore.

<i>Harry Potter</i> Series of fantasy novels by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's conflict with Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who intends to become immortal, overthrow the wizard governing body known as the Ministry of Magic, and subjugate all wizards and Muggles.

Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels by J. K. Rowling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubeus Hagrid</span> Fictional character from Harry Potter

Rubeus Hagrid is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. He was introduced in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) as a half-giant who is the gamekeeper and groundskeeper at the wizarding school Hogwarts. He eventually becomes the Care of Magical Creatures professor and is later revealed to be a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Hagrid is portrayed by Robbie Coltrane in all eight Harry Potter films.

My Immortal is a Harry Potter-based fan fiction serially published on FanFiction.net between 2006 and 2007. Though notable for its convoluted narrative and constant digressions, the story largely centers on a non-canonical female vampire character named "Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way" and her relationships with the characters of the Harry Potter series, particularly her romantic relationship with Draco Malfoy, culminating in her travelling back in time to defeat the main antagonist of the series, Lord Voldemort. The work takes its name from the song "My Immortal" by Evanescence.

<i>Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality</i> Fan fiction by Eliezer Yudkowsky

Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (HPMOR) is a work of Harry Potter fan fiction by Eliezer Yudkowsky published on FanFiction.Net as a serial from February 28, 2010, to March 14, 2015, totaling 122 chapters and over 660,000 words. It adapts the story of Harry Potter to explain complex concepts in cognitive science, philosophy, and the scientific method. Yudkowsky's reimagining supposes that Harry's aunt Petunia Evans married an Oxford professor and homeschooled Harry in science and rational thinking, allowing Harry to enter the magical world with ideals from the Age of Enlightenment and an experimental spirit. The fan fiction spans one year, covering Harry's first year in Hogwarts. HPMOR has inspired other works of fan fiction, art, and poetry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellatrix Lestrange</span> Fictional Harry Potter character

Bellatrix Lestrange (née Black) is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. She evolved from an unnamed peripheral character in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire into a major antagonist in subsequent novels. In the final installment of the story, Rowling established her as Lord Voldemort's "last, best lieutenant". Bellatrix was the first female Death Eater introduced in the books. Bellatrix had a fanatic obsession with the Dark Lord although she was clearly fearful of his magical abilities and absolute power over his forces. She is almost as sadistic and homicidal as Lord Voldemort, with a psychotic personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minerva McGonagall</span> Fictional character in the Harry Potter series universe

Professor Minerva McGonagall is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Professor McGonagall is a professor at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, the head of Gryffindor House, the professor of Transfiguration, the Deputy Headmistress under Albus Dumbledore and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Following Lord Voldemort's defeat at the hands of her student Harry Potter and the deaths of Headmasters Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape, McGonagall takes the position of Headmistress. McGonagall was originally portrayed in the film adaptations by actress Maggie Smith, and later by Fiona Glascott in the Fantastic Beasts prequel films The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Secrets of Dumbledore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dolores Umbridge</span> Fictional character from Harry Potter

Dolores Jane Umbridge is a fictional character from the Harry Potter series created by J.K. Rowling. Umbridge is the secondary antagonist of the fifth novel, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, where she has been stationed at Hogwarts by the Ministry of Magic to take power away from Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore, who have both been informing the Wizarding World of Lord Voldemort's return.

<i>All the Young Dudes</i> (fan fiction) Fan fiction set in the Harry Potter universe

All the Young Dudes is a fan fiction written by Archive of Our Own (AO3) user MsKingBean89 set in the Harry Potter universe. It was written from March 2017 to November 2018, is over 500,000 words long and contains 188 chapters. The story takes its title from the song "All the Young Dudes", by the English rock band Mott the Hoople, and interweaves music from the 1970s in its chapters.

References

  1. Mikkelson, David (7 October 2015). "Christian Version of Harry Potter". Snopes. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  2. Rife, Katie (25 September 2014). "Finally, a supposedly evangelical fan fiction alternative to Harry Potter". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  3. "This Mom Is Rewriting 'Harry Potter' to Replace the Witchcraft With Christianity | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  4. RELEVANT (25 September 2014). "That 'Christian' Harry Potter Thing Is Almost Certainly a Hoax". RELEVANT. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. "Christian Version of Harry Potter". Snopes.com. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  6. "Harry Potter and a failure of the Christian imagination". Religion News Service. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. "What the evangelical Internet doesn't understand about 'Harry Potter'". The Daily Dot. 26 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  8. "The Book of Harry: Christian Mother Rewrites "Harry Potter," Without The Magic". SF Weekly. 26 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  9. Davies, Madeleine (23 September 2014). "Mom's Evangelical Christian Rewrite of Harry Potter CANNOT Be Real". Jezebel. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  10. Rosenbaum, Rachel. "Dumbledore's Army has new foe to fight". The State Hornet. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  11. Cox, Carolyn (24 September 2014). "Christian Writes 'Hogwarts School Of Prayer & Miracles'". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.