On racism in the Potterverse-

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

This quote was in our advent bulletin, and it struck me very strongly.
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.

That, of course, is C.S. Lewis. I believe the quote is taken from Mere Christianity. Once upon a time, when the Potter books were becoming enormously popular, Rowling gave an interview - I think in Time magazine. In this interview, she took some pains to distinguish herself from C.S. Lewis. One thing I remember her saying is that her books were different from his because, in hers, the children would be allowed to grow up. One can ask whether, in the end, the trio did grow up. I rather think not. But that's not the major difference I see in the two authors' works.

If you read the Narnia books attentively, you can see that Lewis really believed the extraordinary statement he made above. Yes, from a modern pov, one can read him as racist and sexist. But NO ONE in the Narnia books is condemned because of their birth, social status, or genetic heritage. Everyone has free will and everyone, in the end, can choose to come to Aslan's country. It's up to them whether they will so choose or not.

In the Potter books, there is a sort of Venn diagram of specialness. The vast majority of people are Muggles. They cannot even see Hogwarts, and the special people treat them, at best, with condescension. Inside this large circle is a tiny one, of all the Witches and Wizards. They are the real human beings, the people who matter. Inside this tiny circle, again, is another circle, consisting of perhaps 1/4 of the magical people. These are the Gryffindors, and they are the elect.*

Nobody can choose to be magical, as Calormenes like Emeth and Aravis, Dwarves like Poggin and Trumpkin, beasts like Reepicheep and Puzzle, and ordinary humans like the Pevensie parents can choose to love Aslan. If Muggles could choose magic, Petunia would surely have accompanied Lily to Hogwarts. She didn't. You are either born a Wizard, or you're nothing.

Nor, some fans to the contrary, do you get to choose whether you're a Gryffindor. We've all beaten this dead horse repeatedly, I know, but it's worth repeating. Dumbledore does not tell Harry that our choices make us what we are. He says our choices show what we are. If we choose to be in Gryffindor, that is because we are predestined to be among the elect. If we choose to be in Slytherin, then there is probably no help for us - at least, not as far as I can see.

Against this background of extreme privilege, Rowling attempts to tell a story in which racism is the primary evil. The fact that every Witch and Wizard we see is racist against Muggles simply doesn't matter - because Muggles don't matter. And there is no analysis, in the books, of how anti-Muggle racism leads naturally to anti-Muggleborn racism. It's perfectly okay to mock and torment the Dursleys. But it's not okay to mock and torment Hermione, who is a Witch. It's especially not okay to mock Harry, the hero.

Contrast this, again, with Lewis. He says, ...it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit–immortal horrors or everlasting splendours...Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.

Quite a contrast, isn't it? Whatever you think of Lewis, ask yourself this: what sort of boy would Harry have become if he had realized, even for one moment, that Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were immortals?

Just a thought.

Comments

[majorjune.livejournal.com]

The fact James and Sirius call Severus "Snivellus" is an attack on his masculinity, also, since crying is considered shameful for men, particularly for men of the Baby Boomer and older generations.

Based on Rowling's comment regarding crying on the Oprah Winfrey show, she feels crying is shameful for anyone at anytime, regardless of their gender and/or age (James and Sirius call Snape "Snivellus" for the first time on their first train ride to Hogwarts when they were all 11 y.o., and Snape hadn't even been crying, IIRC).

And when it comes down to it, she doesn't show any respect for any of her female characters who are deemed "weepy", either.

[oneandthetruth.livejournal.com]

Boy, that really bothers you, doesn't it? ;-) For me, the lowlight of the interview was when the two billionaires commiserated each other on how hard it was to get used to the idea they'd never have to worry about money again. Boo hoo! And right in the middle of the worst economic times in 70 years, too. Narcissistic much?

[majorjune.livejournal.com]

Boy, that really bothers you, doesn't it? ;-) For me, the lowlight of the interview was when the two billionaires commiserated each other on how hard it was to get used to the idea they'd never have to worry about money again. Boo hoo! And right in the middle of the worst economic times in 70 years, too. Narcissistic much?

Also both of them comparing their very expensive designer shoes... :-/

The reason the crying comment has stuck with me is that to me that one statement summed up the whole problem with the HP saga, the author's inability to empathize or have compassion for those who are suffering emotionally.

[charlottehywd.livejournal.com]

Pretty much, this. I guess unhappy, ill-used people just ought to "man up". *barf*