Essay: The Importance of Racism and Classism in Harry Potter

[aperfectsong]

I actually wrote this for my English class (Principles of Literary Theory) last semester, for my final seminar paper. So, I finally decided to share it with Harry Potter Fandom Land. Feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made -- I mostly used HP lexicon to avoid searching through the books for hours, so if anything's wrong, let me know. I

Comments

[kerosinkanister]

Via hogwarts_today.

That was a really interesting essay. The only critique I have is that the paragraph first part on children's literature wasn't strictly necessary, at least to that extent, for a fandom audience, though it may have been for the class. You might consider posting this at hp_essays for more response

[aperfectsong]

I definitely agree with you. I was thinking of integrating race issues into my fic, Reverie Calling, but since it technically is a ship-fic, it's a little difficult. So far, the best I've done is have conversations between Dumbledore and Molly (it's actually post OotP because I cannot deal with Dumbledore's death just yet and because I really hated how she got Ginny and Harry together in HBP, but that's besides the point) about politics in the wizarding world and a new minister of magic. Anyway, sorry for the rambling. It would be nice to see characters dealing with social issues in either Harry Potter or in fic -- I really don't think I've read any that deal with politics, social reform or anything.

The introduction was really just an introduction and it was a little necessary for class. I thought about taking it out, by my class did peer editing and my entire group told me to keep it in, so it's there. Thanks for the link to hp_essays -- I think I'll go visit it right now. And thanks so much for the comment!

[kerosinkanister]

In After the End Ron works with Sirius to reform the judicial system. I believe they change things like right to trial and representation of prisoners and Sirius also wants to get rid of the Dementors/Azkaban. The fic is one of the classic H/G R/Hr ones so I don't think it's out of place in shipfic to address things like race, class, justice, government, etc., depending on the scope of the story. So much shipfic is focused solely or mainly on getting the characters together but it would be really nice to see other things explored. The story could be written as gen but without some romance fic doesn't seem to get read.

[aperfectsong]

Yeah, I've read After the End before and naturally, I forgot all about the governmental reform aspect of it. If it weren't so long, I might read it again. I'll probably have to wait until the summer or spring break. I actually want fic where social relationships are talked about more, or where SPEW finally succeeds, or something. Thanks for the link though! If I think of or am linked to more fic that deals with social problems/reform, I'll definitely send it your way.

[eriathwen_bob]

A well constructed and fascinating essay. A shame that you didn't mention the fact that African-American theory is somewhat out-of-joint with a British story, but never mind. Interesting reading Weasleys as proletariat.

[aperfectsong]

Ha! Funny story actually -- someone on my flist replied to another post (because I changed this one to private to fix the formatting thatI I couldn't fix) and she lives in the UK and mentioned that as well. As I wrote before the essay, the name of the theory is just the name, and since I live in the US and my textbook was from the US, well, I suppose it shows how ethnocentric America really is. The theory itself isn't out-of-joint because it really just deals with racism in general, not strictly blacks in the US. But yes, I did have a little laugh when I realized it!

Thanks for the comment!

[dartmouthtongue]

Wow, this looks amazing, and I'd love to read it, but the font size + color is deadly. I'm using IE and the letters look like microbes. Is there any way you could reformat this or maybe place it in another location so that it's easier on the eyes? It just looks good enough for me to whine about, because otherwise I'd just hit the back button and forget about it.

[aperfectsong]

I fought with the formatting for about 45 minutes last night before giving up -- the color and size just wouldn't change and I think it had something to do with the fact that I pasted it from word. So, I did the next best thing: disabled custom comment pages on my journal. I hope you enjoy it in good old black and white and thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know.

[dartmouthtongue]

Wow, thank you for fixing it so I could read it. I really liked the essay. I'll just allow it to percolate for a bit, and come back, 'cause right now I'm just liking it so much I really have nothing intelligent to say. I'll be rec'ing to a writer, who likes to include social problems in their stories. Maybe something will come of it. Who knows. Either way, thanks.

[aperfectsong]

Thanks for reading!

Wait! A writer who likes to include social problems in their stories?! Can I have a link?

[arvegil]

go lit!

:)

[aperfectsong]

Yep! How did your essay turn out?

[pstscrpt]

both her and Fudge were removed from power
If you haven't turned it in yet, "both she and Fudge were removed from power".

[aperfectsong]

Ack! A grammar error. Yes, I did turn it in, but I got an A, so I guess it doesn't matter much. Thanks -- I'm going to change it now.