The discourse of Power and Politics in Harry Potter
The discourse of Power and Politics in Harry Potter
Embedded Files
Webquest Rubric
How does the Ministry of Magic control the resistance? How do they prosecute the ‘Other’?
Arguments
Arguments
Similarities between Lord Voldemort and Adolf Hitler. Both have the same idea of Impurity of blood.
Interference of Ministry of Magic in Education
The power politics and the theory of 'other' and 'slavery' in Harry Potter.
Disciplinary Hearing of Harry Potter
illustrations
illustrations
Similarities between Voldemort and Adolf Hitler
J.K. Rowling has herself accepted that there are similarities between Voldemort and the dictator Adolf Hitler. When Hitler was a dictator, then there was a law of the Nuremberg racial purity in 1930 (20th century), the same thing we can find in the Harry Potter series, where Voldemort believed in purity of blood which reminds the Hitler and the politics of Power.
When Voldemort and his followers, the death eater succeeded to control over the Ministry of Magic, all muggle-borns are forced to register under the “Muggle-Born Registration Commission”, while pamphlets titled “Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society” are being distributed.
The ministry is interfering in Hogwarts
The Ministry of Magic has an incredible amount of power with very few ways of ensuring it is used properly. Oftenly we see the interference of political power in education is always harmful. It is students' rights to resist against the power, but when that power has control over school and education then it will damage society.
Here we can find the control of the Ministry of Magic over Hogwarts which made so many rules for them and also stopped them to resist. We can find several quotes here from the text.
Dolores Umbridge : Dumbledore, may I remind you that under the terms of Educational Decree #23, as enacted by the Minister...
Albus Dumbledore : You have the right to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the headmaster.
Dolores Umbridge : For now.
From 'The Order of Phoenix'
Dolores Umbridge : It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which after all, is what school is all about.
Dolores Umbridge : I am sorry, dear, but to question my practices is to question the Ministry, and by extension, the Minister himself. I am a tolerant woman, but the one thing I will not stand for is disloyalty.
Can the House Elf can speak?
In the second part of Harry potter series 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret' the creature HouseHouse- Elf introduces. Where we come to know that these Elves are the slaves of the Wizards, there also feminist reading, because no witches have the elf as a slave. Through Elf the author pointed out the theory of 'Subaltern and Other' by Gayatri Spivak. These characters are marginalized characters and as a theory of subaltern says Subaltern people have no voice, even if they resist their voice people are not going to listen. Here are some illustrations from the book as well as from the Movies.
Harry Potter first met 'Dobby', who introduced itself as a House-Elf. Now let's see how J.K Rowling has used this name.
'According to the Oxford English Dictionary,
a dobby is “a household sprite or apparition supposed to haunt certain premises or localities; a brownie,” (OED “Dobby”) and a brownie is “a benevolent spirit or goblin, […] supposed to haunt old houses, esp. […] in Scotland, and sometimes to perform useful household work while the family were asleep” (OED “Brownie”). Therefore, Dobby’s name literally means the spirits or elves that would do house work in the night, unseen. Thus, Dobby’s name calls the reader’s attention to his tie with domestic work as a servant who is supposed to remain invisible.'
Inshort, 'Doby' name itself means a slave.
'Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously for coming to see you, sir. Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this'
'Dobby has no master, Dobby is a free Elf'
'As you have already received an official warning for a previous offence under section 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards’ Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on August 12th. Hoping you are well, Yours sincerely, Mafalda Hopkirk'
-MAFALDA HOPKIRK'S FIRST MINISTRY LETTER TO HARRY, INFORMING HIM OF HIS IMPENDING TRIAL
Harry performed the Patronus Charm to defend himself as well as Dudley from the attack of Dementors.In addition he used magical power in the world of muggles which is not allowed, but he has to do this to save the lives of muggle people. Further, Ministry of Magic claims on him to use magical power in the muggle world without any reason, they also refused to accept Harry's point that Voldemort is alive and back. Later Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge was determined to convict Harry for this crime. Despite this, Harry was cleared of all charges during the hearing.
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