I really just have so many points to make about this series. I hardly know where to begin. For my next essay, let's leave the confines of Hogwarts and discuss the larger world of wizards. After all, one of my primary assertions in my previous post was that I would not care to live in the world of the books.
There are several areas that I would like to point to:
1. House elf slavery
Very few main characters question the treatment of elves. Hermione has trouble getting anyone on her side with SPEW, even Harry who was raised in the Muggle world. This is greatly concerning to me. Why exactly must they act as servants?
The argument is made in the books (by some) that House Elves enjoy serving. This reminds me of the myth in Antebellum America of the "happy slave". Other times elves like Kreacher "must" be enslaved to prevent them from revealing secrets. There's nothing else that can be done? Really? The attitude seems very far behind the times. Yes, the Muggle world has prejudice, but we recognize that slavery and injustice and large portions of our population will speak out against them. Which brings me to my next point.
2. Treatment of other magical beings
Only magical humans matter. Are you a centaur, giant, werewolf, merperson? Tough luck. As near as I can tell, these races are all sentient, but are treated as second class citizens or worse. A reflection of our own society? Perhaps. But still, in our world there are laws (even if they are not always followed). Most of these groups don't seem to have legal recourse. No wonder that Voldemort (I said it! I'm not bothered.) had such any easy time finding followers among the outcasts.
3. Dementors (and Azkaban in general)
A wizard can be sent to Azkaban for anything for mass murder to performing a charm in front of a Muggle. And who guards the prisoners? Oh, only soulless monsters who suck the joy and soul from their victims. How does this make sense? The Muggle world has had prison reform for quite a long time. Where are the advocacy groups for prisoners? Any prisoner not serving a life sentence will be released half dead and unrehabilitated (I know, I know. Metaphor for our own prison systems and metaphor for Rowling's own depression). But do you know who I am not getting to guard my evil prisoners? Something even more evil. A magical being that has proven in the past to not be great at following orders and has trouble telling the difference between children and adults, men and women.
While I'm on the subject, why was Sirius Black even found guilty of murder? Veritaserum (while inadmissible as evidence in court for some reason), should have given some direction to his defense attorney (if such a thing even exists in this backwards world). The evidence was completely circumstantial, yet all of Sirius' best friends believed that he was evil.
4. Love Potions
Supposedly forbidden (at least at school), but brewed by many students including Fred, George, and Molly Weasley. If I have to convince you how wrong this is, I think there's no point in me trying
5. Extremely stratified society
Yes, yes. Fiction reflects our own world. But again, we're supposed to believe that we would want to live in this world? Being muggle born can keep you out of positions of influence. Ancestral pure blood is highly, highly respected. Is this just normal in Britain?
There are several areas that I would like to point to:
1. House elf slavery
Very few main characters question the treatment of elves. Hermione has trouble getting anyone on her side with SPEW, even Harry who was raised in the Muggle world. This is greatly concerning to me. Why exactly must they act as servants?
The argument is made in the books (by some) that House Elves enjoy serving. This reminds me of the myth in Antebellum America of the "happy slave". Other times elves like Kreacher "must" be enslaved to prevent them from revealing secrets. There's nothing else that can be done? Really? The attitude seems very far behind the times. Yes, the Muggle world has prejudice, but we recognize that slavery and injustice and large portions of our population will speak out against them. Which brings me to my next point.
2. Treatment of other magical beings
Only magical humans matter. Are you a centaur, giant, werewolf, merperson? Tough luck. As near as I can tell, these races are all sentient, but are treated as second class citizens or worse. A reflection of our own society? Perhaps. But still, in our world there are laws (even if they are not always followed). Most of these groups don't seem to have legal recourse. No wonder that Voldemort (I said it! I'm not bothered.) had such any easy time finding followers among the outcasts.
3. Dementors (and Azkaban in general)
A wizard can be sent to Azkaban for anything for mass murder to performing a charm in front of a Muggle. And who guards the prisoners? Oh, only soulless monsters who suck the joy and soul from their victims. How does this make sense? The Muggle world has had prison reform for quite a long time. Where are the advocacy groups for prisoners? Any prisoner not serving a life sentence will be released half dead and unrehabilitated (I know, I know. Metaphor for our own prison systems and metaphor for Rowling's own depression). But do you know who I am not getting to guard my evil prisoners? Something even more evil. A magical being that has proven in the past to not be great at following orders and has trouble telling the difference between children and adults, men and women.
While I'm on the subject, why was Sirius Black even found guilty of murder? Veritaserum (while inadmissible as evidence in court for some reason), should have given some direction to his defense attorney (if such a thing even exists in this backwards world). The evidence was completely circumstantial, yet all of Sirius' best friends believed that he was evil.
4. Love Potions
Supposedly forbidden (at least at school), but brewed by many students including Fred, George, and Molly Weasley. If I have to convince you how wrong this is, I think there's no point in me trying
5. Extremely stratified society
Yes, yes. Fiction reflects our own world. But again, we're supposed to believe that we would want to live in this world? Being muggle born can keep you out of positions of influence. Ancestral pure blood is highly, highly respected. Is this just normal in Britain?
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