Close Ad

Newer Generations Are Critical of Harry Potter  - Do They Know Something We Don't?
harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban
Pop Culture

Newer Generations Are Critical of Harry Potter - Do They Know Something We Don't?

Harry Potter and its global success have invited new criticism over the years. A new generation of readers are pointing out flaws in the series and how can they help educate and encourage children to use their judgment.

Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone was the first novel of the series and was released 25 years ago in 1997. Since then, the series has taken off to unforeseen heights. Since all seven books were released, adaptations through film, video games, comics, school reading lists, and merchandise have flooded the shelves. If there’s a way to integrate Harry Potter into something, someone will find a way.

RELATED: Why J.K. Rowling’s Controversies Crushed Harry Potter Fans and Changed Celebrity Culture

The Harry Potter fanbase is extremely large with dedicated fans ranging from 30 years old and over who grew up with the book releases to the newer generations who are reading it for the first time. While the books have stayed the same, our perspective as a society has not. This has caused the newer generation to view the series in a different light.


You may have heard controversies surrounding the author of the series, J.K. Rowling, and her transphobic comments. But did you know that the series has been criticized for its sometimes-questionable content? We’re talking about some dark nuances. Why are these controversies only brought to light now, years after the last film and book were released?

Harry Potter’s Discrimination and Stereotyping Explained

Harry potter reunion cast shares experience in franchise 1024x576
(Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)

There are many problems with the books that have come to our attention in recent years. But the two that take center stage are discrimination and stereotyping.

If you’re thinking, “I never noticed any sort of discriminatory language”, that’s because it’s subtle, or was, only a few years ago. The way in which it's integrated into the books is the reason they went undetected for so long.

The first instance that comes to mind with racist language is the goblins of Gringotts Bank. Many readers realized that the way goblins were described in the books was surprisingly anti-Semitic.

In both the books and movies, the goblins were described as having a hooked nose, short and unattractive. Throughout the series, the goblins were made to seem clever, but unfriendly. They are creatures who are more concerned about money in the bank than the people to whom the money belongs. Later in the series, we see goblins being portrayed as greedy and untrustworthy. The movies took these descriptions a step further with their on-screen depiction that is eerily similar to a Nazi propaganda poster.

RELATED: 100 Harry Potter Quotes that Will Put a Spell on your Thoughts

This is not the only nuance of anti-Semitism. In fact, the terms “mudblood” and “half-blood” seems to follow old charts the Nazis used to demonstrate Aryan or Jewish blood. If this wasn’t compelling enough, Lord Voldemort is partly based on Hitler. Rowling herself told the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant that Voldemort was modeled after both Hitler and Stalin and that the Second World War influenced her.

But there’s more. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Professor Quirrell is hiding Voldemort under a turban. This is disturbing as it mirrors the racist thought that someone wearing a turban is a bad or violent person and hiding something. This is the reality that many who choose to show their faith through religious head scarves have to face daily.

RELATED: 6 Life-Changing Books That Inspired J.K. Rowling to Write

It would be wrong to talk about racism in Harry Potter without mentioning Cho Chang. The only Chinese character in the whole book is named Cho Chang. Not only is the name itself stereotypical, but it’s also a Korean name! For a prominent character in both Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix, it’s surprising that Rowling put such little thought into the character.  

Lastly, we have the Irish stereotype poor Seamus Finnigan endured. It’s common for the British to see the Irish as foolish, drinking too much and pulling pranks. This stereotype heavily influenced the character of Seamus Finnigan as he’s been known over the series to blow things up.

Is Harry Potter Encouraging Children to Take Up Witchcraft?

JK Rowling posing with the Harry Potter movie cast

Harry Potter has gotten some serious flak for some of the descriptions of the occult. One example used to demonstrate a link to Satanic rituals is the fact that the series says that drinking the blood of a dead animal gives you power. In Goblet of Fire, it seemed that a satanic human sacrifice took place when Harry’s blood was used to give Voldemort new life. There was even a satirical article published in The Onion called Harry Potter Books Spark Rise In Satanism Among Children.

There is also the argument that Harry Potter encouraged children to participate in witchcraft. Many concerned parents and critics of the series claimed the book promoted witchcraft and occult ideologies. While some argued it posed a danger to children, many also explained that the books did preach Christian values such as loyalty, friendship, love, and the temptation of power.

RELATED: J.K. Rowling Tweets About Feeling Stuck, Encourages Us to Persevere When Things Seem Hopeless

“I absolutely did not start writing these books to encourage any child into witchcraft,” Rowling said in an interview with CNN “I’m laughing slightly because, to me, the idea is absurd. I have met thousands of children and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, ‘Ms. Rowling, I’m so glad I’ve read these books because now I want to be a witch’.”

While noting these criticisms, it’s important to think about whether it’s even possible to write a children’s fantasy novel without these characters. When it comes to children, the content they are exposed to will always be questioned. We can see this through book bans that continue to take place in 2022. While the intention is to protect children, we need to also question why we feel the need to protect children from what we deem as “dangerous”.

RELATED: Daniel Radcliffe Opens Up About How He Turned to Drinking to Deal With Harry Potter Fame

Rowling thinks we “underestimate children so hugely.” She’s been clear with her response to criticism. “They know it’s fiction. When people are arguing from that kind of standpoint, I don’t think reason works tremendously well. But I would be surprised if some of them had read the books at all.”

The New Generation of Harry Potter Readers Stance on the Book’s Controversies

JK Rowling poses with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Every generation has found the Harry Potter series in one way or another, keeping the fanbase alive and well 25 years later. But unlike other generations, the new readers have become less tolerant of some of the book's content and the controversies surrounding it. Between racist remarks, transphobic comments, and more, the new generation has found themselves in a weird purgatory of loving the books but not loving everything they, or Rowling, stand for.

The reveal of Dumbledore’s sexuality excited the queer community of Harry Potter fans and created a new hype around Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a Harry Potter spinoff that includes the romance of Dumbledore and Grindelwald. Even with advancements such as this, as well as Rowling admitting that Hermione could have easily been a black female lead, it’s not enough to offset the other problematic themes.

RELATED: The Harry Potter Stars Open Up And Get Vulnerable About Their Time In The Franchise

These controversies are being discussed more among young readers. While school boards have challenged these books on reading lists, it might be worthwhile to discuss them in the classroom and give children a constructive setting to talk about real issues.

As Rowling mentioned, children are severely underestimated for critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt and accept new ideas. Using these books as a framework for talking about World War II, or even when discussing religion can be a useful tool. Children relate to these novels because they see themselves in the main characters, using that to leverage our curriculum can be more helpful than harmful.

KEEP READING:

3 Lessons Harry Potter Taught Us About Life

Hot Stories

Why Paul Walker Left His Only Daughter With Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel & Paul Walker were more than just friends, they were …

content.jwplatform.com

When the tragic news of Paul Walker's death surfaced, the world was left in shock. As one of the most beloved stars of the Fast and Furious franchise, his passing was felt deeply by fans around the globe. But perhaps the most devastating impact was felt by his daughter, Meadow Walker, who was left without a father.

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
stranger pays for man's huge bill

We've all been there: you’ve loaded up your shopping cart or ordered a service, only to reach for your wallet and realize that it’s not there. It can be an embarrassing and anxiety-inducing scenario, one that sets the tone for the day.

A man faced a similar situation one day when he couldn’t remember his new PIN at a gas station. But when a stranger stepped in to help, he did more than save this man’s day.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
rapper eminem poses for a picture
Eminem
UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 09: ASTORIA Photo of EMINEM (Photo by Nicky J. Sims/Redferns)

There is no doubt Eminem is a complicated person. His 25-year career has been defined by feuds, violence and toxic male aggression. However, amid the chaos, the rapper has maintained the ability to lay bare his vulnerabilities and acknowledge his weaknesses. Nothing illustrates that complexity better than the fraught relationship between Eminem and Eminem's mom, Debbie Nelson Mathers (maiden name Nelson).

Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, didn’t have the best upbringing. Raised in poverty, his parents grappled with addiction and relationship troubles, scarring the young rapper as he was beginning to carve out an identity. As such, he harbored resentment for his mom and dad, and swore he would break the pattern when it came to his own daughter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Celebrities