Asuncion, Ven John Butoy 11 May 2016/ FINAL PAPER

201507359/ BSBAA Prof. Lalaine F. Yanilla Aquino/ English 11

Witnessing Reality behind Fiction: The World of Novels

Novels are long and fictional literary works that not only present a story, but also deal

with the messages that they leave behind the readers. Antoine de Saint- Exupery’s The Little

Prince, Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, and J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s

Stone are some novels that use various elements and approach in giving insights to the readers.

The writers were able to employ their unique techniques in revealing the sequence of events and

characters in their novels. However, generally, the works share their perception when it comes to

the reality of human life and the world we live in. Even if these novels are just products of the

authors’ imagination, it cannot be denied that the elements used are still related with the

conditions seen in the society across different generations and races. Novels are just long

narratives. And with that, the different elements of narrative like the point of view, character,

setting, plot, theme, and style, are applicable and could be used for the novels’ analysis.

Theme is the narrative’s element that mainly dictates the work’s relevance and insight to

human life and its connection to the readers’ heart and minds. In fact, the themes imparted by the

three novels, aside from the prominence of their characters, are reasons why these works are

well- known. One imparted universal theme shared by these three is the importance of having a

friend, whom one can consider as a family. Harry Potter, who didn’t have parents and had an

abusive uncle and aunt, treated his Hogwarts friends, Ron and Hermione, as his family. And to

develop a friendship, trust must be necessary, just like how the little prince told his experiences

to the narrator and how Bod confided some of his encounters to Silas. However, there are

situations when trusting and befriending someone might be risky. This is portrayed when Harry

trusted Professor Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and when Scarlett befriended
Mr. Frost in The Graveyard Book. That’s why, behind every friendship and conversation is

knowing one’s true intention and personality. To affirm, the fox in The Little Prince even said

that “one only understands the things that one tames” (De Saint- Exupery 65). And to tame

someone and be friends require patience and understanding, and are not achieved in an instant.

A home must be a place where one feels comfortable, with an experience of love and

belongingness. Hogwarts, the graveyard, and the Sahara Desert are the main settings where the

main plot of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, The Graveyard Book, and The Little Prince

took place, respectively. No matter how mysterious and isolated these places are, they still

managed to make the main characters feel happy treating them as their homes. And the reason

for their joy was that they’re living together with their friends and family, whom they trust and

love. The main characters in those novels, like De Saint- Exupery’s little prince, who came from

an asteroid far away, Rowling’s Harry Potter, who is a wizard, and Gaiman’s Bod, who spent his

life living in the graveyard, portray an insight that one’s physical characteristics and life

backgrounds are not bases for finding happiness in life. Despite the unusual nature that are

present in those characters’ lives, the writers were magnificently able to give the characters the

chance to discover people to love and a home, making them embrace life’s joyful and essential

side.

In life, judgments and criticisms are present. It is true that people do perceive others

based on how they see them. However, another theme that the novels show is that simple things

become special if the perception of one’s heart is incorporated. One’s initial impression on a

person or thing is never final and will not define their true character. In The Little Prince, De

Saint- Exupery’s plot also tackled how the prince missed the rose he left on Asteroid B- 612.

And, the prince also became enlightened by the fox he met, who said that “it is only with the
heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye” (De Saint- Exupery 68).

This can also be seen in The Graveyard Book’s plot, as Bod valued the graves of his ghost

friends. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry became fond of his owl Hedwig, and

Ron Weasley still appreciated his old wand. Even if those things and animals are just simple in

the eyes of few, they’re still important to those who cherish them. Indeed, one’s eyes may

deceive but one’s heart mainly sees those that are worth being valued.

Another theme imparted is that problems and wicked acts are naturally existing around

us. What’s important is the courage that one must possess in facing them, which contribute to

the person’s strength and persistence. For Harry Potter and Bod, death is already trying to haunt

them since they were still infants. But as they grew up, they started to learn their pasts and

became mature enough to be aware of the hurdles that they encounter. Through their bravery,

they were able to put an end to the threats that surround them and their loved ones. However,

there are still instances when danger is not surpassed and it’s always not the case that the good

always win against the evil. An example is when the little prince wasn’t able to prevent the

poisonous snake biting him, which caused his “death” and disappearance.

The Little Prince, which was written in first person point of view, shows the narrator’s

sorrow due to the prince’s disappearance. He even reminisced the prince’s adventures and the

fun they had. In spite of what happened, it didn’t change the fact that they will always be friends

and he would never stop looking for him, which was persuasive in the style of De Saint-

Exupery. And with how this act occurred, it paved way to the insight that farewell are just steps

towards new beginnings in life. Death of someone also depicts his/ her farewell, just like how

Gaiman was able to portray Miss Lupescu’s death as a stepping stone towards the graveyard’s

future. Also, the departure of Bod gave him an opportunity to live by himself and witness a new
chapter in his life as a youth. Furthermore, as Harry Potter left his Aunt Petunia and Uncle

Vernon for Hogwarts, he discovered himself better as a wizard, and also as a person with

independence. Since Rowling wrote it in third person point of view, having the magical realism

style, the characters’ feelings towards one another was felt, most especially to Harry, who was

finally able to have new experiences in the world of witchcraft and wizardry. It’s deserving to

leave one’s past self and change into someone better. To grow mentally, emotionally and

spiritually, one must know what to leave and what to maintain during the journey of changing.

So personally, what must be left behind is one’s naive self and what must be preserved is the

bond that was formed with the loved ones.

Meanwhile, The Graveyard Book, also written in third person point of view, also showed

that sometimes, it’s better to remove memories and ties for the good of both persons involved,

just like what happened to Scarlett and Bod. Gaiman, who had the style of combining the living

and the dead in that novel, highlighted the big borderline that exists in between, which means

that there are also things in this world that can’t permanently coexist with each other. There, in

order for situations not to worsen, Silas had to remove Scarlett’s memories in spite of Bod’s

despair. He even asserted that “people want to forget the impossible. It makes their world safer”

(Gaiman 289). In life, there are things that must be forgotten in order to move on towards life’s

new chapters. It’s because the more one holds on them, the more painful it becomes.

People are free to have their choices. However, some are being misled in going to the evil

side, just like the Jacks in The Graveyard Book and Voldemort in Harry Potter and the

Sorcerer’s Stone. Their immoral characteristics of killing show their abuse of freedom, and even

power, just like what’s seen in the present society. In fact, Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter

and the Sorcerer’s Stone said that “humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things
that are worst for them” (Rowling 297). That’s why, it’s still necessary to take note of the

consequences of one’s acts to one’s self, others and the surroundings. It’s important to limit and

to know the use of that freedom and power received, just like how Bod used his “Freedom of the

Graveyard” and the skills he gained like the “Fade,” “Haunt” and “Dream Walk.” Upon knowing

his rights, he chose to help his friends and to keep the graveyard safe. There might be times when

he also abused his power, like when he used his “Dream Walk” to the bully Nick Farthing and

also by haunting Mo. But, he also used his acquired abilities in fighting the Jacks. In Harry

Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry, Ron, and Hermione used their powers in fighting the troll

and also in looking for the Sorcerer’s Stone. They did those in order to protect one another and

the Hogwarts.

A novel is just one of the many genres in literature. Another genre that is prominent and

is also excellent in imparting messages and emotions is drama. A drama also tells a story, but is

often performed on stage. Some examples of drama are Midsummer Night’s Dream by William

Shakespeare and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Midsummer Night’s Dream is about a person’s

persistence to love and the determination to do anything to achieve it, even if foolishness is

involved. The perseverance to do anything for love is also portrayed by the little prince to his

lovely rose, by keeping her protected during cold nights and harsh winds. He was even willing to

be patient despite the rose’s ill- tempered attitude. The determination is also seen in the novels of

The Graveyard Book and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but not in the context of love.

The resoluteness is instead shown in putting an end to the wicked acts of the novels’ respective

antagonists.

On the other hand, Oedipus Rex shows a theme that despite power and high stature, a

person would always encounter flaws because it is fated to happen. The little prince, no matter
how noble he may be, also experiences pain and fear. Even Harry Potter, who is a prominent son

of a well- known wizard and witch, also experiences a tragic flaw. He also fails in learning some

spells and potions taught in class, and also commits penalties in Hogwarts. Flaws and

negativities are present in human nature. What must matter is their acceptance and their ability to

transform them into strengths, and that’s what the authors also want to instill to everyone.

The themes presented by the given novels and dramas are related and both appeal to the

hearts and minds of the readers and audience. Even if the messages shared are all related to the

reality and human life, the treatments between both genres might show some differences. Drama

mainly consists of dialogues by the characters while novels have narrations in some parts. This

contrast portrays that feelings could be further felt by the clear conversation of characters, which

is a style in dramas, most especially if it’s performed live. However, the understanding of the

drama’s message might incorporate poetic skills, because of the deep choice of words. Novels,

on the contrary, uses words that are conventional and easy to understand. Even if both genres

narrate a story, the novel, which is often divided into chapters, provides a clearer flow of the

events and imparts the theme through language because of comprehensible use of words. But, the

drama can also succeed in depicting its theme through the characters’ acts and dialogues in front

of the audience, which is emotionally captivating.

Life itself is temporary. That’s why, its significance is valued if one cherishes every

opportunity that knocks. But along with these opportunities are obstacles that must not be seen

grievously, but should be perceived positively, as it further helps a person grow stronger. The

novels and dramas are works of people’s creativity and are successfully able to connect to one’s

soul. And, their great importance lies on their ability to bring change to reality, its people and the

world. The reason why they still exist up to this moment is that they continue spreading their
influence. Through reading the novels, one may learn how to handle life circumstances similarly

as to how the characters deal with the stories’ events. Reading opens one’s eyes towards a new

world of fantasy, while understanding opens one’s heart towards realizing the world’s realities.

WORKS CITED:

De Saint- Exupery, Antoine. The Little Prince. Trans. Katherine Woods. London: Egmont UK

Limited, 2009. Print.

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Print.

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997. Print.