In the film representation and the book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pays specific attention to the vindication of two characters, Hermione and Dobby the House Elf. As Professor Jackson mentioned in the lecture on Tuesday, Hermione serves as a powerful symbol for meritocracy. As a “mud blood” (both wizard and muggle), Hermione was not born with the skill or family history that set most wizards up for success. However, her work ethic, perseverance, and intelligence allow her to become a brilliant wizard. Her true value is revealed in the last book when she plays a key role in finding the horcruxes and is recognized by Bellatrix Lestrange as a formidable threat. In this way, Hermione is an exceptionally strong female character that moves the plot by demonstrating the power of success through merit. Hermione’s successes are vindication for all the feminists out there that lament the limited female archetypes expressed in literature and society today.
The second powerful representative for the marginalized in the Harry Potter series is Dobby the House Elf. Dobby the House Elf plays a crucial role in the last book when he sacrifices his life to save Harry, Ron and Hermione from Lord Voldemort. In the last film, Dobby gets his moment of vindication when he exercises his newly granted freedom to refuse the orders of the Death Eaters and save his friends. Through this, Dobby saves specifically Hermione’s life before he dies from a spell cast by Bellatrix Lestrange. In this way, the lives of Dobby and Hermione become forever intertwined.
Hermione’s political advocacy on behalf of the marginalized House Elves eventually leads to her career in the Ministry of Magic. This relationship between two characters with their own oppression struggles poignantly demonstrates the power of the marginalized collectively. This concept is simply one of thousands of ethical and political concepts explored in the enduring magical world of J.K. Rowling’s brilliant conception.
Aubrey,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your perspective of the female roles in Harry Potter. I agree with what you said about Hermonie being a strong women leader. I would also like to add that the role of Minerva McGonagall is equality as strong, or just as strong as Hermonie. Throughout the series Professor McGonagall is a strong, ethical woman. She is head of the most prestigious house, Gryffindor, and she is plays a role in a number of important decisions. The structure of authority with Dumbledore as the head master, places some limitations on her ability, but the nonetheless she is an empowered female within the structure.
What I love about McGonagall is how she displays determination not to adhere to a rule simply because it is a rule. An example was back in the first book with Harry’s first try at flying. Professor McGonagall observes him at practice, takes him to her office, and introduces him to the captain of the team. Even though first years are not supposed to play seeker, McGonagall sees that enforcing this rule will not be in the best interest of Gryffindor.
The female roles in Harry Potter, as you said, are very unique and show how gender equality is so apparent and important in the development of the series.
Linnea,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I have always enjoyed Minerva's character and she definitely acts as a strong female lead in the series. Unfortunately, her role seems to fade as the books progress. However, at the beginning of the series she plays a large role in shaping Harry as a young boy at Hogwarts. I really appreciate the early relationship between McGonagall and Harry because it does not follow the typical maternal figure formulation.Again, JK Rowling does a great job at developing strong female characters that always break the literary mold. Other great examples are Luna, Mrs. Weasley, and Tonks!
I love the connection between Harry Potter and World Politics. I think that it's both relevant and fun. A large part of the problem that I see in the way that we discuss World Politics today is that we get too marred up in the different definitions and technicalities that make up the study, and don't realize that it can be applied to much more than we want to give it credit for. For that, I thank you.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting you bring up the fact that Bellatrix finds Hermione as a threat. For people, such as Bellatrix and other pure-bloods, to find Hermione, a mud-blood, to be a threat is an interesting observation. I hadn't thought about that until just now.
My question, then, is not related to politics at all but this: Do you think she'll write more? The Detective Series perhaps?
I see what you're trying to do here and don't get me wrong, it's super cute. But if you want to actually compare world politics to pop culture I would suggest you use a more applicable basis for your argument, say...Star Wars for example. Harry Potter is childsplay. J.K. Rowling is an alcoholic, semi-literate street-urchen who lived out of her brothers bar before she got richer than the Queen. Now a real artist like George Lucas who was educated at a top-tier directing school and was already widely praised for his visionary work on works like THX 1138 before he redefined the American Epic (note the use of the word "American").
ReplyDeleteOn a closing note, I would like to congratulate Rowling on the part she played in the shaping of your morality, she has truly done us all a great service with that one...