The Glass-Ceiling in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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The Glass-Ceiling in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The portrayal of female characters in British literature has most often reflected the larger perception of women by society during the time of a work’s publication. In this regard, the immensely popular Harry Potter series written by author J.K. Rowling is certainly no exception. The circumstances for women in late 20th century Britain have improved and in many ways are nearing equality with men, yet a notable upper barrier to success still remains. Rowling captures this gender dynamic throughout the Harry Potter series by including a diverse cast of resilient female characters who are not allowed to take on the same leadership roles dominated by the men at Hogwarts, at the Ministry of Magic, in quidditch, and during the Triwizard tournament. The novels also center on an important theme of motherly love that Rowling uses to explore the sacrifices women must make in order to raise their children well. Such issues have been present in British literature for well over a century, with each generation seeing steps toward equality, both for the fictitious characters and the women of a given time period. The Harry Potter series, therefore, constitutes a reflection of female status in modern Britain that has advanced, but remains perpetually flawed.

Rowling describes a lack of mobility for women into the higher echelons of society through the an absence of a true female leadership roles, despite the apparent equality a magical education should give women. Throughout the series, Rowling demonstrates that magic gives males and females equal power in theory, but that in practice, positions of authority remain occupied by men. Magic alone is not able to discriminate between genders be...

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...- Two Theories." BBC News. BBC, 21 Oct. 2005. Web. May 2014.

Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. New York: Scholastic, 1997. Print.

Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic, 1998. Print.

Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Print.

Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print.

Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. New York: Scholastic, 2003. Print.

Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. New York: Scholastic, 2005. Print.

Rowling, J.K.. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York: Scholastic, 2007. Print.

Rowling, J. K. "Ravenclaw Sorting Hat Welcome Message." Pottermore: A Unique Online Harry

Potter Experience from J.K. Rowling. J.K. Rowling, 2014. Web. May 2014.

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