B1P1: How Psychology Has Changed Reading for Me

        I have read (and re-read) the first two Harry Potter books at three points in my life: first, at the beginning of elementary school; second, at the end of high school; and third, at the end of college. Each read has been different for me. Previously, I thought this was because of an increase in reading comprehension; although I still believe this, I am now analyzing the differences in my reading process based upon the prompt, “text and reader no longer confront each other as object and subject, but instead the ‘division’ takes place within the reader himself.”

        First, I’ll discuss changes in the way I read. Oddly enough I read much slower now than I did as a child. It took me around two days to read the first book; I was seven. It took me about a week to read it this time around. As a kid I took everything at face value, simply

enjoying the people and environment set before me. Now it’s difficult for me to read a chapter without back-tracking several times to analyze people’s personalities, thoughts, and interactions. I am reading the Harry Potter novels in the same manner I read a psychology

article or text. This new reading style is a slightly double-edged sword; I still find the books fascinating, but it is not because I’m swept up in the magic and fun of the world – it’s because I am dissecting the characters like lab rats.

        As with the magic, the connection I once felt to the characters has left. When I first read the books I felt strongly connected to Harry, most likely because the story was mainly told from his point of view. I would not say I feel connected to any of the characters; however, at this time the characters which most interest me are Dumbledore, Snape, and Malfoy. I believe my interest in them comes from my surprise at their characters development throughout the series. Perhaps Rowling deliberately kept these characters shrouded in mystery most of the time or maybe I didn’t pay enough attention to them – either way I am now looking at their actions much more closely during this reading than previously.

TL:DR I am now reading the Harry Potter books like I do psychology articles. I don’t necessarily connect with any of the characters; however, I am very interested in some and am following them more closely through the series than I previously did.