Harry Potter - Political Message

tedwca

tedwca

Joined
Dec 10, 2005
Messages
3,410
I saw the new HP today and it was pretty good. Much darker than previous films. I saw an interesting political message in it though. There is a scene and subplot where the Ministry of Magic doesn't want any of the students to actually learn or know how to use defensive magic. After all, there is no evil loose in the world and if there was the Ministry would protect you. No need to learn how to defend yourselves, you'll only get hurt.

Harry defies the mandates of the Ministry and continues to train himself as well as others in secret defying the untrustworthy governing body. Rowling seems to be promoting Harry's heroism at not letting the government's rhetoric prevent him from learning to defend himself even if it's illegal.

I wonder if JK Rowling is anti-gun/knife or not. I kinda got the impression it was aimed at some the policies coming out of the UK legislature.

Any one else see it yet and get the same impression or am I overly sensitive to the message?
 
I dunno. I choose not to look for the deeper message because of my love for the story. I hate seeing that things I love have alterior motives.
 
Well, it could very well just be a plot device and nothing more. That's why I was wondering on the authors stance in real life.
 
As much as I'd like to think a high-profile, pop culture icon like Rowling would be pro-freedom, it's hard to imagine that she is. I think it's more symbolic of Harry branching out on his own than an allegory on self defense. He's stepping outside the constraints of normal wizard society, which, in most literature, is a standard step in becoming a hero (or villain). If the MoM prohibited turnips despite them being able to ward off Voldemort, Harry would raise turnips.
 
Im watching it right now. There is a speech given by the "pink" teacher to the students that is EXACTLY the kind of thing that the principals and teachers say to kids here in Japan.
"Let's not waste time learning new things if we don't know if it's good for japan or not" kind of BS
"Let's honor the traditions of our forefathers by doing things the same ways they have been done since this school was built (in the 50's)"
"Let's not look for problems and then we can say it wasnt broken so we dont need to fix it"
 
Well, I think the wizards govt is a spoof on British govt, it has been for the entire series. And, IMO, the common British citizen has been spoofed on the entire series. Going to far as to have a cutsey nickname with negative conotations. Muggle. Yes, it means all non-magical folk, but all the non-magical folk in the work are Brits aren't they?

Whether or not Rowling's politics are shining through, or whether she's just poking fun is harder to say. She's very deft in handling the media.
 
Dude, the classroom scene is just as bad. " We're not going to learn about the real world because it isnt on the test and that is what school is for, passing the test."
 
I remember that "passing the test" was what high school and college was about. Ever have anyone ask you your GPA? That's why I got to sleep through all my history classes. I watched the History Channel and National Geographic and knew the material better than the Teacher.
In 1998 my Junior year of high school I was sleeping when a kid asked the History teacher "Why do you let Dave sleep through class but nobody else?" And hearing this I knew I was in trouble. The teacher asked "David, what happened in Afghanistan in the 80's?" I gave them a synopsis of the Soviets wanting a southern port and how the Taliban took over and was going to be big trouble in the future (little did I know then).
The kids rolled their eyes and told me to go back to sleep, and the teacher let me do just that.

Your education starts at home. It isn't the school that teaches the kids how to learn. It is the Parents. The world lacks individuals who are willing to step up and take responsibility.
 
SamuraiDave said:
Your education starts at home. It isn't the school that teaches the kids how to learn. It is the Parents. The world lacks individuals who are willing to step up and take responsibility.
Click to expand...

Exactly. But I think Danny is referring to a whole society.
 
I haven't read or seen any Potter books/films, but I suspect that it could both be a dig at British law, or just an unintentional parallel. Only Rowling would know for sure I guess.

DIJ, just try and bring up Nanking circa late thirties or the Imperial Army's bacteriological weapons research in Harbin in a Japanese classroom! ;-D
On second thought, don't. We want you to live to post again. 8-[
 
Ted, something about the red name and the avatar combo is scary!
 
I really need to bite the bullet and read the Potter books. I've been meaning to for some time. I've seen all the movies, but I can just tell that they are chopped up in regards to the story.

I'll have to pick up the series for the long slow winter sales season.

Jake

edit to add: Look at all the colorful names:)
 
Rowling was a starving single mom, I hear she's married now. Amazing how many women I know as head of household that are proponents of self defense.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I really need to bite the bullet and read the Potter books. I've been meaning to for some time.
Click to expand...

Do it. Read them. They're a really easy read. I find that when kids burn something up like this, they're often onto something. Fun story about a boy and his adventures. Winter season is perfect. You'll probably finish them all in 2 months.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top