magic world vs muggle world

[happy_hannah]

ive been thinking awhile on this , when i read HBP i couldnt help but notice a lot of correlations between what was going on in the magical world and what was going on in the muggle world (including the present day, 2007).

apart from the mention of grindelwald in 1945 (hitler), i also noticed some other things:

The opening chapter of HBP with the muggle PM, HP wise the year would have about the same a new muggle PM was appointed (tony blair)

Also the list of things a magical person should be aware of when dealing with the dark arts, im not sure about other countries but in Australia leaflets titled 'be alert not alarmed' were distributed about how to spot terrorists, very similar to the one in the book

Umbridge, she (i believe anyway) stands for every racist person, and her constant fear of the unknown kind of reminds me of the often wrong stereotype of the american people and media

thats all i can think of for now, add more please. Im not really sure how this can help our understanding of the series or even if it can predict anything, its little correlations like this that make me like the books in the first place

 

[Dr Winterbourne]

I have wanted a thread on this subject for a while now.

I too remember the anti-terrorism leaflets - and even an anti-terrorism fridge magnet.

It was in OotP that I first started to think that JKR might be using her success with children to begin to teach sociologically. For example, the idea that one should read what the media says, but read behind the words, for the truth, because the media distorts; 'It exists to sell itself' as Rita says of the Daily [Profit].

In another thread I made note of the correlations between Harry Potter and the persecution of Falun Gong and other religious groups in China.

Judging from the questions in the WOMBATs, and other evidence - SPEW, the fountain, constant mention of goblin riots and rebellions throughout the series, I think that unity between all peoples will be an important theme in this next book, and look forward to seeing her message.

 

[Sirius Potter Fan]

There is definately a tendancy towards Socialogical lessons in Rowlings books. The lessons by showing the missinformed predjudice of Umbridge towards half breeds, of all of wizardkind towards "lesser" magical beings, house elves (a good slavery lesson) centaurs, giants. It hink . . . yes as I have stated numerous times in many threads here . . . that a key to the big ending will be Harry uniting all magical beings in the fight against Voldemort. We should cherish and apreciate the differences in others, not ridicule them.

 

[Dr Winterbourne]

I wonder if this unity will include Muggles. Harry will certainly heal the wounds of the magical world - whether he is alive to live in it of not, we shall see - but I wonder if he will heal the whole world, making Muggles and Wizards live in unity together. That might be a bit much for one book.

I'm reading GoF at present - got to squeeze them all in one last time - and just read where Winky is drunk on Butterbeer, and thought about this thread - and what you just said about slavery ties in nicely. I was thinking abut her situation as some sort of post-colonial critique of the British Empire, and the effects of their culture on indiginous people, who don't have the same tolerance to alcohol and have been as slaves by the British.

Are the books social commentaries particularly profound?

 

[Sirius Potter Fan]

I hate to confess, but I am very poorly versed in British History . . . But, it is not at all uncommon for authors to throw in subtle criticisims of government policys, or to make statements on social issues. I think JKR is using her great influence on the younger generation to make a BIG point on acceptance of other races, religions etc. even different inteligence levels.

 

[happy_hannah]

wow , winky and butterbeer! great correlation, i know in australia especially our indigenous community has a HUGE problem with alcohol. also the whole house elves being so happy being slaves, has anyone seen or heard of those very early disney cartoons where african american slaves sing in the cotton fields, about how their so happy to serve their masters and such?
I also see the daily prophet and ministry officials being like mass media and politicians, with politicians being more concerned with being in office than helping the people (fudge) and the media making up stories to sell itself (daily prophet, rita skeeter)

 

[happy_hannah]

just remembering something else from goblet of fire, the death eaters attack at the quidditch world cup i feel has a definite correlation to muggle terrorist attacks, also the ministry tried to blame it on winky, a minority and someone who can't properly defend herself and someone not a lot of people would stand up for, (except radicals like hermione)

 

[Sirius Potter Fan]

Thing is, we know that Bart sr. knew winky to be innocent. but let her be the scapegoat, to save himself, and keep hidden Barty jr's existance. The one person who could have stood up for her instead shamed her and dismissed her. Sadly that happens so often in the real world . . . "look out for #1" . . . the current mindset with most of us muggles seems well represented in the magical world as well!