A World of Wonder (and Narrow-Mindedness)

ON Animation Studios. 2015. The Little Prince. [Animated Film] Distributed by Paramount Pictures

The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) By Antoine de Saint-Exupery provided inspiration for this week. The little Prince is a story beloved by many. It discusses the loss of exploration and deeper meaning when becoming adults and the dangers of Narrow-Mindedness, another affliction adults suffer from. The fact that it is styled as a children’s book makes these heavy topics easier to digest without losing the main messages.

           As we grow older, in learning new skills and proceed through life, we become numb to things we loved as children, thinking often that our childhood dreams are too whimsical and impractical to actually pursue. The author depicts adults to be unimaginative, boring, and stubborn, children being depicted as the exact opposite. The lack of imagination creates a world that is black and white. Nothing more exists than what is visible. Adults do not search for truths, succumbing to a life of daily routines.

            The story of the little prince is one that I keep coming back to the older I get. In the craziness and constant moving around that life entails, things become monotonous and mundane, leaving little room for dreaming. To prevent a black and white world, it is important to make room to allow for the creativity to flow. Curiosity and inspiration make room for new experiences, whether they be tangible or emotional. As adults, we also have to remember to keep looking at what is not visible. By doing that, we keep an open mind, and we can dream.

A Magical Source (For Inspiration)

Fig. 1″ GrandPre, Mary, (2009), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, (Illustration)
Fig. 2 Warner Brothers, (2007), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, (Image)

Merriam-Webster’s defines inspiration as “a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation” and “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions” (Inspiration, 20111, Merriam-Webster.com).  While the definition of inspiration is generally universal, what causes inspiration is different for each person. As a girl, I often found myself attached to intense stories about fate, prophecy, and if it is possible to change your fate. The one story that transcended my childhood and moved forward with me through my life so far is the story of Harry Potter, written by JK Rowling. While it is rather cliché because of its cult following, readers are inspired by his adventure every day. The main source of inspiration that I took from the series began in the third installation, where JK Rowling begins to introduce the concept of prophecy (Rowling, JK,.1999, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). Our protagonist begins to learn Divination as part of his studies, and it is with the introduction of professor Trelawney that the concept of prophecies always coming true was introduced. Rowling goes even more in depth in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling, JK, 2003). Rowling takes the readers to the Department of Mysteries, where it is revealed that prophecies are recorded and kept in crystal balls. What is believed to be Harry’s prophecy shows that he will lead a life that constantly tangles with the antagonist, “and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives” (Rowling, JK. 2003, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix).  Harry learns of his prophecy and chooses to fight with all he has, knowing that there is a good chance that he may die in the process. He constantly makes decisions to try to break free of the prophecy he knows he is set to fulfill.

I was raised by parents who had good intentions but they had a pretty heavy hand in the decisions I’ve made in my life so far. In High School I often felt that I was locked in to the decisions they made for me. But as an adult, I’ve learned to take control and make my own decisions to carve my own path. Whenever I start to feel like I am losing control, I like to retreat back to the story of the boy who lived, a story that inspires me to push forward in the face of adversity. The Harry Potter series is full of wonderful characters with fulfilling and inspiring stories, such as Harry’s best friend, Hermione Granger. Hermione had a rather uneventful upbringing compared to her peers who grew up in a world of magic. She wanted to prove herself as a person who deserved to attend the school and was often regarded to as the brightest witch of her age. She showed grit, determination, and sheer talent in a group of people who had an early introduction to her trade.  She inspires me still to this day, to try to be the best at what I do. While we do not live in a world of magic, the inspiration that millions feel from these books is magical.

Sources

Rowling, JK. (1999) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  UK, Bloomsbury

Rowling, JK. (2003) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. UK, Bloomsbury