Race Theories In Harry Potter

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Read any two Harry Potter books, and analyse them with reference to race theories: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
On the surface, the Harry Potter series is set in a world that is colour-blind, one where those of any foundation can ascend on account of their capacities alone. Underneath this surface, however, Harry Potter explores profound racial themes and, as the books go on, develops a complex and very stratified racial order; the books explicate the social and genetic predispositions of its characters. Furthermore, they highlight the revulsions propagated by individuals who seek global racial purity, i.e. Voldemort, while offering multi-layered feedback of the egregious racial stratification that is maintained …show more content…

Before Voldemort’s rise to power, Albus Dumbledore himself expressed similar views to Voldemort regarding the inferiority of the Muggles (Rowling, 2007:291). Dumbledore claimed that wizards were far more powerful than muggles, and this gave wizards the right to rule them (Rowling, 2007:291). Like Voldemort, Dumbledore used the phrase “For the Greater Good” as a rationalisation that made him feel like an insightful leader that possesses sharp foresight, rather than a supremacist. In fact, together with Grindelwald, his best friend at the time, it seemed like Dumbledore conspired to carry out a coup against the Muggle tolerating government at the time. Similarly, Hitler’s rise to power began with disillusionment with his own government for tolerating the Jewish influence on the economy, and set out to take matters into his own hands. Dumbledore’s claim that Wizard rule over Muggles is “For the Greater Good” parallels both Hitler’s and Voldemort’s modus operandi, whereby he conspired to win the hearts and minds of the public under the guise of good

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