Brandon 2
KitaPolitics and Religion in Harry Potter
July 21st 2007 15:11
WARNING. This article is an analysis of Harry Potter 7. Naturally it’s going to have some pretty heavy spoilers. Don’t want to know – STOP READING.
I first noticed how political the Harry Potter books were in number six, where the Wizarding world alerted the Muggle Prime Minister to the dangers of Voldemort. The dealing of prominent political issues through the world of magic fascinated and delighted me.
Others who enjoyed the politics of number six should love number seven. The novel is full of allusions to real life political issues.
The main theme of the novel is Voldemort’s rise to power. Voldemort’s evil comes from his extremist racial ideas of blood purity – in a way drawing strong allusions to other racially prejudiced leaders. In this same way, Voldemort’s followers are reminiscent of groups such as the Klu Klux Klan, who believe in the importance of unpolluted blood lines. The terminology used by the followers of Voldemort – such terms as ‘blood traitor’, are also popular amongst many white supremacist organizations.
The fallibility of Governments is another strong theme. The Ministry of Magic’s denial and cover up of Voldemort is not unlike the long continued denial of Global Warming. The Ministry of Magic’s Muggle Register is reminiscent of Australia’s coming National ID Card – or even more so that of Japan, where third generation Japanese Koreans were for a long time required to hold a foreigners ID card.
One stunning moment of the book features a stone statue inside the Ministry of Magic featuring a pile of naked Muggles underneath Wizards. I don’t know about you, but my mind went somewhere pretty specific with that one.
Interrogation of students along with their manipulation via the treatment of family members seems a lot like McCarthyism. And of course, much of the racial purity fervor and the repression of subversive literature (in the Quibbler's manipulation) echo deeply of Nazi Germany.
Indeed, there is a great deal of left wing bias in the novel. This bias does not stretch to the spiritual nature of the novel, which conveys a theme more for Christianity than against. The morals of Christianity are also intact. As for turning other cheeks and loving neighbors, Harry does a bit of that when he saves Draco’s life – twice.
I guess everyone gets something different from the novel. How about you?
I first noticed how political the Harry Potter books were in number six, where the Wizarding world alerted the Muggle Prime Minister to the dangers of Voldemort. The dealing of prominent political issues through the world of magic fascinated and delighted me.
Others who enjoyed the politics of number six should love number seven. The novel is full of allusions to real life political issues.
The main theme of the novel is Voldemort’s rise to power. Voldemort’s evil comes from his extremist racial ideas of blood purity – in a way drawing strong allusions to other racially prejudiced leaders. In this same way, Voldemort’s followers are reminiscent of groups such as the Klu Klux Klan, who believe in the importance of unpolluted blood lines. The terminology used by the followers of Voldemort – such terms as ‘blood traitor’, are also popular amongst many white supremacist organizations.
The fallibility of Governments is another strong theme. The Ministry of Magic’s denial and cover up of Voldemort is not unlike the long continued denial of Global Warming. The Ministry of Magic’s Muggle Register is reminiscent of Australia’s coming National ID Card – or even more so that of Japan, where third generation Japanese Koreans were for a long time required to hold a foreigners ID card.
One stunning moment of the book features a stone statue inside the Ministry of Magic featuring a pile of naked Muggles underneath Wizards. I don’t know about you, but my mind went somewhere pretty specific with that one.
Interrogation of students along with their manipulation via the treatment of family members seems a lot like McCarthyism. And of course, much of the racial purity fervor and the repression of subversive literature (in the Quibbler's manipulation) echo deeply of Nazi Germany.
Indeed, there is a great deal of left wing bias in the novel. This bias does not stretch to the spiritual nature of the novel, which conveys a theme more for Christianity than against. The morals of Christianity are also intact. As for turning other cheeks and loving neighbors, Harry does a bit of that when he saves Draco’s life – twice.
I guess everyone gets something different from the novel. How about you?
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Comment by Damo
Have not read the novels yet.
But I am reluctant to put lables on books like left leaning or right leaning unless that is the specific intention of the author. (How far is left before it becomes left?)
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
Malaysia Found
Honestly, even though it was quite obvious that JK has been referring to a lot of things, it cannot deny that her story is telling us something.
For the Christian part, I am not sure whether you were referring to the phrase "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" which exist in the Bible in the book of Matthew.
(oops, more spoilers?)
More or less, this is a "children's story", where every part of the story has some moral teachings behind. If you take it that way you won't have to spot anything lame and enjoy the story, thus learning something new without hindrance.
Have a blessed week ahead.
Comment by clichemurder
and yet the irony is that christian groups reject the books claiming they may infiltrate the youthful minds with devil talk.
How very silly. Children have so much more to learn about the world from reading these books than anything the bible can ever conjure up.
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
Malaysia Found
Oops... I did some leaking again.
But if those who have bought the book on 21 July and truly read it tirelessly should have finished the book by now.
The battles scenes were pretty all right, but not as swift as the creative works of C.S.Lewis in battle scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia's, or the more dramatic heart pounding of J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
J.K.Rowling could still improve her work on that, if she still desires to create yet another new story.
At the end of the day, (i am trying not to spoil everything) it is a children's book - Evil will parish, happy endings with moral story to learn behind it.
What we can learn from the series?
"Never judge a book by its cover" - for Snape, and Dumdeldor's character
"There should not be racialism or differences in any expect" - like the mud-bloods, half-blood and pure-bloods.
"respect to others" - like the indifferences heart towards Elves and Giants.
"extend your helping hand no matter to whom if he/she really needs the help, you'll never know the favour bless upon you when you need it later." - like Harry saved Draco - twice even.
"Powerful tools usually does not help you to succeed in power"
"The bond between friends who trust each other are very strong"
"You are never alone, and you don't have to do everything alone."
"Sometimes leadership doesn't mean you give orders what to do, just make sure your team mates are on your side and knows your vision of target, one heart with the entire team - what needs to be done, and leave them do their work, they'll get it done for you."
"Know your sides well. Know the truth that evil will still perish in the end."
"Humble is the most noble character you can ever have"
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Ahmed, you troll you
The best thing is its all so open that anyone can make their own interpretation.