The Author of this thesis presents the natural and the supernatural phenomena in Harry Potter. Furthermore, analyses the significance of this novel, characterizes the target audience and novel´s contribution to the society. The author also points to the unravelling of the idea of a primary and alternative world, which dominates the novel; compares the real and the fantastic world, but also real events, places, people, supernatural beings and objects which became the model for the storyline developed in this novel.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Rowling and her way to success
3. Why are the series so special?
4. Types of characters in fiction
5. How to create a wizarding world?
6. A world within another world
7. Rowling´s masterpiece – a place where Muggles meet magic
8. Setting of the film and fiction
9. Objects with magical powers
10. Wizarding places carefully hidden from Muggles
11. Fantastic beasts in Harry Potter series
12. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this bachelor thesis is to analyze the success factors of the Harry Potter book series by examining its literary elements, world-building techniques, and the maturation of its protagonist. The thesis explores how J.K. Rowling connects a rational, "Muggle" world with an imaginative, magical realm, and investigates the role of characters, enchanted objects, and setting in creating a believable fantasy narrative.
- The impact of narrative style on reader empathy and the success of the series.
- Comparative analysis of literary theories regarding magical world-building.
- The significance of character development and types (protagonists, antagonists, archetypes).
- The interdependency between the primary "Muggle" world and the hidden secondary magical world.
- The role of enchanted objects and fantastic creatures in sustaining the narrative logic.
Excerpt from the Book
Objects with magical powers
Throughout the books, many objects that are enchanted, cursed or simply have their own magic appear quite frequently and some of them are described in a way that to the reader they seem as ordinary as anything else in a real world. To this group, objects like anti-cheating quills, brooms, cauldrons with self-stirring spells can be counted. They are mostly harmless objects used on a daily basis. Apart from them, there are also some objects with magical properties with more mysterious function.
Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody is a retired old Auror who is asked to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts in Harry´s fourth year. He was injured during a fight with a Death-eater and lost his eye. Later he replaced it with a magical eye; in the Goblet of Fire Rowling describes that it is of light blue colour and can spot anything, it can also look in every direction, even behind his back (2000, p. 223). The eye allows Moody to see everything hidden and see through invisible objects such as Harry´s Invisibility Cloak or even solid wooden doors. Nobody else in the novel had the same kind of magical object in possession, and it was even not described in more depth. Klingberg states that not everything that occurs in fantasy books is needed to be explained in depth and the most important fact is that it is believable ( 1980, p. 92). Rowling describes the magical eye in a very brief way but to the readers no further explanation is needed; the way it is described makes the eye seem like a usual part of wizard´s life and this fact makes it believable.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the personal motivation behind the thesis and the methodology used, specifically comparative analysis.
Rowling and her way to success: Provides a biographical overview of J.K. Rowling’s early life, writing influences, and the path to publishing the Harry Potter series.
Why are the series so special?: Analyzes Rowling’s narrative style, the focus on character empathy, and the overarching theme of maturation.
Types of characters in fiction: Defines and classifies different character types, such as round, dynamic, and flat characters, as they appear in the novels.
How to create a wizarding world?: Explores rules for world-building in fantasy literature, focusing on the importance of limitation and logical consistency.
A world within another world: Examines the interplay between the secondary magical world and the primary Muggle world.
Rowling´s masterpiece – a place where Muggles meet magic: Discusses the integration of magical institutions and governance within the familiar setting of Great Britain.
Setting of the film and fiction: Details the real-world locations used for filming and their connection to the fictional world.
Objects with magical powers: Explores specific enchanted items, their functions, and how they contribute to the narrative's believability.
Wizarding places carefully hidden from Muggles: Identifies key hidden locations in the series and the charms used to keep them concealed.
Fantastic beasts in Harry Potter series: Discusses the role of magical creatures, their classification, and the challenges of hiding them from Muggles.
Conclusion: Summarizes how all analyzed elements contribute to a coherent and globally successful fantasy world.
Keywords
Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Fantasy Literature, World-Building, Magical Creatures, Wizarding World, Character Development, Maturation Story, Comparative Analysis, Muggles, Enchanted Objects, Narrative Structure, Mythology, Literary Theory, Storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The work focuses on analyzing the success of the Harry Potter series by examining narrative elements, world-building techniques, and the maturation process of Harry Potter as a central character.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The themes include the creation of fantasy worlds, the classification of character types, the relationship between magical and Muggle worlds, and the role of magical objects and creatures.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to understand why Rowling's work became a global success by analyzing how she successfully combined extraordinary magical elements with universal human maturation themes.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The thesis is primarily based on comparative analysis, contrasting literary theories regarding world-building with Rowling’s practical application in her novels.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers author biography, character archetypes, rules for creating logical fantasy worlds, the integration of real-world filming locations, and the functional role of magic in the series.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include fantasy literature, world-building, magical creatures, character development, comparative analysis, and the narrative structure of the Harry Potter series.
How does the author explain the coexistence of two worlds?
The author highlights that Rowling treats the secondary world as something that must follow internal rules and logic, often hidden from Muggle eyes through memory charms and rationalizations.
How is the concept of "beasts" analyzed?
The thesis examines the difficulty of defining "beasts" and how the Ministry of Magic manages them to maintain the secrecy of the wizarding world from non-magical people.
What role do enchanted objects play in the narrative?
Enchanted objects serve as essential elements that make the magical world feel "believable" and "ordinary" to characters, thereby deepening the reader's immersion in the fantasy.
- Citar trabajo
- Lenka Šerešová (Autor), 2015, The Natural and the Supernatural Phenomena in "Harry Potter", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/345534
