First Name:
Lindsay
Last Name:
White
Major Department:
English
Thesis Director:
Craig Fischer
Date of Thesis:
May 2013
The phenomenal success of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is dependent upon its realistic depiction of relatable issues such as class-based and racial prejudice. Many critics accuse Rowling of classism and racism, claiming she stereotypically portrays socially-inferior magical classes and races, solidifying readers’ prejudices against their real-world parallels. I argue, however, that critics do not account for the series’ thematic evolution and realism that, respectively, reveals to readers how one can fall victim to prejudicial thoughts, as well as illustrates issues concerning prejudice as they exist historically, rather than as they could be defeated idealistically. In addition, I contend that Rowling’s use of multiple definitions of and approaches to antiracism influence critical interpretation of her depictions of prejudice. I cite textual examples of classism and racism in the novels, comparing them to their real-world counterparts to evidence my argument that Rowling condemns prejudice, including: persecution of lower classes by the elitist upper class, discrimination against Muggles and Muggle-borns by Voldemort and his followers, oppression and the limited rights of intelligent magical creatures like house-elves and goblins, and the role of ethnicity itself as it is represented by the multicultural students of Hogwarts and other members of the magical community.