Effects of media hype and mass popularity on essence of literature : as seen from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter

Abstract

Contemporary literature has walked metaphorical miles since earlier times—and the marked improvement in it can be seen in J.K. Rowling‟s renowned fantasy/magic realist series, Harry Potter. Not only does Rowling make great use of themes, ideas and plots that have always been known to work their magic; she uses a new tool—the magic of media—to help her books create a solid fan base. Her seven-part series is one of the examples that portray the extent to which media has engulfed literature; in that literature has become lost, confused and misguided by the false and pretentious media hype and fandom. This dissertation ventures into the realm of Harry Potter to examine how modern literature rises to popularity, why this leads to the downfall of the core of the same literature; and how it can be demystified by authors and readers alike.