When the world consists of the sand box in the backyard, the park down the road, the elementary school classroom, and maybe a couple local grocery stores, it’s easy to ignore the injustice in the world. Children are often removed from the realities of discrimination. However, JK Rowling sought to first address discrimination and then take a clear stance against discriminatory practices in her Harry Potter book series. By embarking on this mission on behalf of her readership, Rowling impacted the mindset of a generation to be more accepting towards those unlike themselves.
However, in order to have anything unlike the majority that she could then portray her lessons through, Rowling first had to define what her ideal demographic was within the …show more content…
A specific example of this is found in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two film. When Voldemort provides his ultimatum to turn Harry over, the Slytherins’ immediate reaction is to “grab him” and comply, followed by the counter reaction of the Gryffindors showing solidarity with Harry by crowding around him. (“Deathly Hallows” Film) While everyone in the room is equally at risk of Voldemort’s wrath, this conflict features mainly Slytherins and Gryffindors. Meanwhile, the majority of the other two houses function as innocent bystanders subject to the whims of more vocal groups. In this fashion, the houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are an extensive metaphor used by Rowling in her series, as the situation portrayed by the houses is applicable to every situation where the opinions and arguments of a selected group override a quieter subset. However, Rowling makes only minimal efforts to correct this mentality, observable in her few strong characters she creates from the down trodden …show more content…
Her representation of muggle born supporters arrives in the form of Ron and the Weasley clan, who are considered to be “Blood-Traitors” for their support of Muggle Born witches and wizards. Arthur Weasley’s fascination with charming muggle artifacts (Hunziker) is proof of his deference to the individual culture of muggles and other minorities. This deference is obviously passed on to his children, proven when his 12-year-old son stands against Draco Malfoy after the incident in which he refers to Hermione as a “Mudblood.” As a result of this, the Weasley clan and others like them are clumped together with outsider demographics in the discrimination committed by the oppressive “pure-bloods” of Rowling’s Wizarding World
However, in order to have anything unlike the majority that she could then portray her lessons through, Rowling first had to define what her ideal demographic was within the …show more content…
A specific example of this is found in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two film. When Voldemort provides his ultimatum to turn Harry over, the Slytherins’ immediate reaction is to “grab him” and comply, followed by the counter reaction of the Gryffindors showing solidarity with Harry by crowding around him. (“Deathly Hallows” Film) While everyone in the room is equally at risk of Voldemort’s wrath, this conflict features mainly Slytherins and Gryffindors. Meanwhile, the majority of the other two houses function as innocent bystanders subject to the whims of more vocal groups. In this fashion, the houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are an extensive metaphor used by Rowling in her series, as the situation portrayed by the houses is applicable to every situation where the opinions and arguments of a selected group override a quieter subset. However, Rowling makes only minimal efforts to correct this mentality, observable in her few strong characters she creates from the down trodden …show more content…
Her representation of muggle born supporters arrives in the form of Ron and the Weasley clan, who are considered to be “Blood-Traitors” for their support of Muggle Born witches and wizards. Arthur Weasley’s fascination with charming muggle artifacts (Hunziker) is proof of his deference to the individual culture of muggles and other minorities. This deference is obviously passed on to his children, proven when his 12-year-old son stands against Draco Malfoy after the incident in which he refers to Hermione as a “Mudblood.” As a result of this, the Weasley clan and others like them are clumped together with outsider demographics in the discrimination committed by the oppressive “pure-bloods” of Rowling’s Wizarding World