JK Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” brings success to MC Alumnus

Imagine finally graduating from Maryville College and having your senior thesis become a bestseller on amazon. This is the exact what happened Robert Norris a graduate from Maryville College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Writing Communications.

“It’s hard to find your footing in writing communications,” said Norris. Norris’s greatest success has been his senior thesis titled “Harry Potter and the Glossary of Death.” “I knew I wanted to be able to analyze literature and offer my own interpretations,” said Norris.

This led him to Harry Potter, a love for many readers. Young adult literature helps younger readers deal with real world issues like death. Norris settled on Harry Potter because of all the major deaths in the series which had not been touched on by other scholars.

Norris emphasized how important it is to have your own unique voice in your writing. This will separate your writing from others.

“When writing, you have to have a voice. I’m a sarcastic person, but you have to stay true to you and your writing. If not, you are doomed to be miserable,” said Norris.

It is because of Norris’s voice that his work then became publishable. By staying true to himself and who he is as a writer, his thesis has entered a conversation of scholarly individuals.

It was up to Norris to take the initiative to publish his thesis. He explained that by publishing his work he was able to find the happiness he was looking for. By writing his thesis, he explored aspects of Harry Potter that had never before been explored.

Rather than focusing on major deaths in the series that have been done before—like Dumbledore or Sirius—he focused on other characters like Cedric because of the huge impact that his death had. Not only that, but Cedric’s death was often overlooked, and Norris explained that this was the turning point in the series.

“Cedric’s death was the catalyst of the series and the turning point,” said Norris.

Ironically enough, though his thesis was completed in 2014, this past summer JK Rowling oversaw the new play, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”  The play focused on Cedric’s death, which proves Norris’s point correct years after his thesis was completed.

The week that “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” was released, Norris’s thesis was number two on literary criticisms for bestsellers on Amazon.

“My name is out there, I never thought it would happen,” said Norris.

His biggest success as a writer has been publishing his thesis, and seeing people wanting to read it and purchase it has been a huge boost in his confidence and self-esteem.

Norris plans to update his thesis and add on since the release of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”  His thesis is available for purchase on Amazon. Norris’s story is one that all Maryville College students can relate.

Upon graduation, the search for true purpose is on, but taking initiative to follow something that you want is inspiring. Norris not only did just that, but he also succeeds each day in educating the world and adding to a scholarly conversation.

“It’s not all rainbows and skittles after graduation. You have to take your time to find happiness. You never know where you can find it. Do what you need to do, and that’s how you get somewhere. I don’t know where I am going or how I’ll get there, but I will,” said Norris.

 

You can purchase Norris’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1530042445/