This extract from the last book of the Harry Potter series shows a glimpse into a world which at the beginning seemed inviting and welcoming. J.K. Rowling’s series of Harry Potter seems centred on the question about Good vs. Evil. It appears as if the lines between Good and Evil are clearly divided. However, with the story carrying on, a society is created which is plagued by prejudices and the discrimination of certain ethnic groups. In the course of the story, the boundaries of Good and Evil expand and the core of the storyline is revealed: The fight against racism. At a deeper look, it can be seen, that the underlying principles guiding the Good and the Evil are fundamentally rooted in issues of race and heritage.
By addressing the issue of racism within the fantasy world of magic, it can be argued that Rowling creates a parallel to the real world and its historical context. Through the choice of a fictional universe for the Harry Potter series, Rowling was able to explore the complex and sensitive issue of racism in a way that was approachable for everyone.
"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is the first book whose story line is based on the racist ideology of blood supremacy. Expressions, such as Mudblood, are introduced and the reader receives a general overview over the importance of blood status in the world of magic. Even though magical and mythical creatures and people coexist, it is possible to draw parallels to real-world issues. The Harry Potter series can serve as a mirror reflecting the problem of racism in society. But how is real-world racism depicted in the book "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"? And is the depiction successful? Due to the scope of the work, only human characters will be focused on and racism towards house elves and other magical creatures will be excluded.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical background: real world racism
- Racism in Harry Potter
- Blood status and pure-blood supremacy
- Racist prejudices against Muggles
- Impact of racism on the characters
- Critical Examination of the book
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the portrayal of racism in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, drawing parallels between the magical world and the real world. The paper aims to analyze how Rowling uses the fictional universe to explore the complex issue of racism, focusing specifically on the concept of blood supremacy and its impact on characters within the story.
- The concept of blood status and its connection to racism
- The portrayal of prejudice against Muggles (non-magical people)
- The impact of racism on the characters' experiences and interactions
- The use of the fantasy world as a vehicle for exploring real-world issues
- The potential for the series to serve as a tool for challenging and understanding racism
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction begins by establishing the presence of racism within the seemingly welcoming world of Harry Potter, arguing that the series, beyond its good vs. evil narrative, explores themes of prejudice and discrimination against certain groups. The introduction highlights the use of the fantasy genre as a means to engage with the complex issue of racism in a relatable and accessible way. It then provides a brief overview of the events in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, focusing on the emergence of the Chamber of Secrets and the underlying theme of blood supremacy.
The second chapter lays out the theoretical foundation for understanding racism in the real world. It draws on the work of Philomena Essed, a Dutch sociologist who defined racism as an ideology that categorizes specific groups as inferior based on biological or cultural attributes. The chapter explores the historical context of racism, citing the Nazi regime as a stark example of its explicit manifestation, and then shifts to discuss the subtle and pervasive nature of modern racism, emphasizing its impact on individuals' lives.
The third chapter delves into the specific ways racism manifests in the Harry Potter universe, focusing on the concept of blood status and its implications for the wizarding community. It outlines the three categories of wizards: pure-bloods, half-bloods, and Muggle-borns, highlighting the societal privileges afforded to pure-bloods while emphasizing the marginalization and exclusion faced by Muggle-borns. The chapter also explores the ideological underpinnings of blood supremacy, drawing connections to real-world instances of racism and prejudice.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This preview of the work explores key themes such as racism, prejudice, discrimination, blood supremacy, magical realism, fantasy, social justice, and ethical considerations within the context of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The preview specifically focuses on the concept of blood status as a form of categorization that reinforces racist ideologies and its impact on the lives of characters within the magical world.
- Quote paper
- Maria Holzmann (Author), 2023, Racism in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". Parallels between the real and the magical world, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1420786
