The accusation has often been leveled at Star Wars, and, since Harry Potter has so much obviously in common with Star Wars, it seems like a question worth asking.
Granted, I'm only about 80 pages into the series, so these are honest questions.
What gives characters in the HP-universe their magic sensitivity?
Can anyone become a wizard with enough hard work, or only people with some kind of inherent proclivity?
Is that proclivity therefore a genetic proclivity, as critics have suggested with Star Wars thanks to the midichlorians?
Does Potter's universe suggest that certain people are genetically predisposed towards magic? Can that trait be genetically transferred?
If so, is there a possibility of Hogwarts essentially engaging in some kind of magic-user breeding experiment? Is Hogwarts isolating off these magic-sensitive youths throughout their pubescent years in hopes that they will eventually marry and generate a new generation of wizards? How long would such a project be sustainable before inbreeding occurred?
Is there eventually a risk of some kind of magic-sensitive super-race emerging that will eventually enslave the Muggles, as they diminutively name those people lacking the genetic traits that enable them to perform magic?
Why isn't the Muggle government exploiting wizards or at least trying to?
Are there any Muggle teachers at Hogwarts? When do these kids learn about non-occult fields of study, or things that would actually prove useful?
Is the fact that Hogwarts is a school for magic-users a beneficial product of free-market enterprise where students are earning their spots in the school based on a bona fide proficiency (even if that proficiency is drawn largely from genetic traits)? Or is Hogwarts' identity as a school for magic users essentially a form of isolationist tribalism? Should Hogwarts be forced to incorporate some kind of Muggle affirmative action quota? How does Hogwarts justify its lack of non-magic diversity?
"Are there any Muggle teachers at Hogwarts? When do these kids learn about non-occult fields of study, or things that would actually prove useful?"
That was one of the big things that always bothered me about HP. As far as I remember, when I was 10 I was still lacking a large chuck of general education most adults find useful on a daily basis. I understand that the "magically abled" would not see much use for the "muggle" sciences, but subjects like, English, Geomatry, and High School level Math would be somewhat needed, not to mention other subjects such as, Philosophy, Literature, Foreign Languages, etc, etc, etc. Perhaps the grammar schools in England are just that good. Of course you then have all the kids who came from magic only families. I mean Harry did go to primary school, but do Wizards send their children to Muggle schools? Do they have "Pre-Hogwarts" or are they all home schooled?
Posted by: Sebastian | October 22, 2009 at 03:33 PM
In the pages I read, Ron is functionally-illiterate when it comes to basic technology (he doesn't know how to use a phone). You would think they would have some kind acculturation classes.
And for that matter, is there any kind of campus ministry at Hogwarts, or all they all just neo-pagans?
Posted by: Peter Terp | October 22, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Hi,
I like this article but..
last night i went to the midnight premiere of harry potter and the half blood prince! I was honestly so disappointed! was it just me or did it seem very choppy and for some reason didn't feel like it was a harry potter movie. Don't get me wrong some of the parts in it were either really funny or somewhat scary but i really was not satisfied. I don't know, what did you think?? Am i wrong? Give me your opinions..
Posted by: kort r4i | November 20, 2009 at 03:53 AM