Otherness is the separation by society through different lenses to stand out and be alienated. Many argue that Harry Potter as a series dwells deep in the topic of otherness; Harry is often seen as an “other” in many aspects: he is unsure as a wizard, becomes a hero, and is “The Chosen One.” In Marion Rana’s essay, “‘The less you lot have ter do with these foreigners, the happier yeh’ll be’: Cultural and National Otherness in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series”, Rena argues that despite the typical viewpoint that J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series is one that challenges social constructs and breaches racial barriers, it does quite the opposite; it envelops the sense of English superiority, undermines the value of diversity and assimilation of cultures, and highlights the xenophobic and racial tensions caused in biological makeup between races.
Rena first argues that the setting of the Harry Potter series, Britain, is a basis for xenophobic ideas and stereotyping of other cultures and races within the series. Often seen as the center of the world, it shows the superiority of the English throughout the text. As other cultures and …show more content…
Characters such as Padma and Parvati Patil, Cho Chang, and Lee Jordan and Angelina Johnson, are perceived to be of ethnic backgrounds different from the rest of Hogwarts based solely on their names and minor outward descriptions, but never on their culture or traditions that would link them to their respective backgrounds. Rena sees this as an attempt to be politically correct rather than a fight against racism and xenophobic behavior. Because these characters’ ethnicity and background do nothing to add to the plot nor create a considerable impact to the story, they are unnecessary and blatantly ignorant to the complexity diversity creates in a
Rena first argues that the setting of the Harry Potter series, Britain, is a basis for xenophobic ideas and stereotyping of other cultures and races within the series. Often seen as the center of the world, it shows the superiority of the English throughout the text. As other cultures and …show more content…
Characters such as Padma and Parvati Patil, Cho Chang, and Lee Jordan and Angelina Johnson, are perceived to be of ethnic backgrounds different from the rest of Hogwarts based solely on their names and minor outward descriptions, but never on their culture or traditions that would link them to their respective backgrounds. Rena sees this as an attempt to be politically correct rather than a fight against racism and xenophobic behavior. Because these characters’ ethnicity and background do nothing to add to the plot nor create a considerable impact to the story, they are unnecessary and blatantly ignorant to the complexity diversity creates in a