Research Proposal

Louis Rammel

Research Writing

Summary of the Text

Harry Potter and Voldemort are representations of good and evil. Harry being a bastion

of good and Voldemort being a pillar of evil. Furthermore, the houses also find themselves in

steep competition with one another despite being classmates and representing the same school.

This goes especially for Harry in Gryffindor and Malfoy in Slytherin. Another note to be made is

the disparity between the rich and poor of the wizarding world and the differences between them,

despite the school accepting them both. Also, the seemingly big deal being made by some

students about pure blood wizards and non pure blood wizards, or even wizards that can trace

their wizard ancestry back a ways. This is kind of prevalent in the character of Hermione

Granger as she is an exceptional student, but is picked on for having normal parents. So despite

being shown to have a good grasp on magic, she is set apart due to genetic circumstances.

Something else to pay attention to is the rift between regular, non-magic humans and magical,

wizarding humans. To be taken into consideration also, is the take on fame. Harry, at the

beginning, doesn't know that he is a wizard or that he is famous for being involved in the

disappearance of the dark lord Voldemort. He is simply under the impression that he is an

ordinary boy. Furthermore, he is abused and treated with disgust at his home with the Dursleys, a
non-magical family. However, when he attends Hogwarts, the school for wizards and witches, he

is treated with kindness and privilege almost.

Statement of the Problem

The main dichotomy, or at least the one I want to talk about, is the issue that ancestry and

blood has anything to do with wizard status. It's incredibly problematic, as it is in relation to race

in real world society, as it can cost wizards positions or good grades if found under the purview

of someone who views them as inferior. Just as in life, having a stereotypical view of others is

not beneficial to anyone. Even though they are just as capable of magic, some pureblood wizards

look down and terrorize the more mixed ancestry practitioners. While the book does show people

standing up for those under this scrutiny, it also expresses that people with such a negative view

are often in places of power for whatever reason. Not only are they in power, but also very

candid about their views, which one can interpret as an almost societal acceptance of such

prejudices. Whether this is a fear induced acceptance, as those with this view find themselves in

power, or is an actual acceptance as they agree is another part of the problem with genetic

stereotypes.

Research Questions

How is the depiction of those without wizard ancestry being treated differently by those

with wizard ancestry reflected in society with the stereotypes and prejudices of some in our

populace? How has genetic prejudice in history reflected into the story of Harry Potter,

specifically the similarities between the power hungry Voldemort and Hitler and their views on

bloodlines and thoughts on genetic purity? Why do some people insist on genetic disparity as
relevant when people of all backgrounds and ancestry can perform the same actions, such as in

the story of Harry Potter with the abilities to practice magic and spellcraft? How is it that those in

power can be elected despite widespread condemnation of such biases? Furthermore, how is the

open rhetoric of genetic prejudice in the story indicative of real life?