Harry Potter and the Underrated Themes — Part 1
I was one of the people branded as a dork for absolutely loving the Harry Potter books. It did not phase me. I loved it for all the normal reasons people love reading. It was the first series of books I enjoyed. I think it made an impact on my mental maturity by exploring some really important themes in a teen and pre-teen friendly way. Remembering that pre-teen and teen are not fully formed people(sorry); learning about these concepts early on helps form you as a better, more informed adult.
Spoilers ahead!
Propaganda
At the end of the 4th book, Voldermort returns and his loyal Death Eaters immediately fall in line. Most of the 5th book was the Ministry of Magic trying to suppress the truth by publically discrediting Harry and Dumbledore.
Understanding the concept of propaganda, how it is weaponised and the effect it has on its victims is complex for adults. Trying to explain it to teens is an unenviable task.
At the time I read this, I was around 15 or 16 years old. I did not have the words for what I was learning, but now I could digest why governments would lie, what those lies meant for society and how its victims can be ostracized.
Looking through Harry’s glasses, we saw him lose friends, we saw people trust him less, we saw the loneliness that came from his character being publically torn apart. We saw the impact of suppressing the truth on the wizarding world; people were less prepared for the dangers that came when the Dark Lord started taking over in earnest.
I guess one of the segue themes from here, is knowing how to tell the difference between fact and fiction, reality and fake news. We don’t see too much of that since the people close to Harry already believe him. We glimpse it briefly when Umbridge concludes her speech. Almost everyone stopped listening to her, but the speech was never meant for the students, it was meant as a warning for Dumbledore, the Ministry’s not so subtle way of saying, “We are watching you.” Hermione, ever the exception to rule, is capable of discerning this message. While she is incredibly smart, the reader gets the impression that all she did differently from her peers was to keep listening. Her smarts come in advantageous when she uses what she heard, and what she already knows from the summer, to piece together the agenda being pushed.
We also see this from the other angle; in the 7th book, propaganda is still rifle and not believing it is punishable by death. Some of the lies being pushed are; Harry is Undesirable #1, Magic is might and muggle-borns only possess stolen magic. While people pretend this is normal to survive and Voldermorts followers revel this in this awful system, no one believes the propaganda this time around. To me, this is a strong message about the power of truth.
Once it’s out there it’s out there, you may spin it and push it in different directions but you cannot take it back.
As a young reader, you may not immediately grasp the concepts, but as you mature and form a better picture of the world, the introduction to this theme at a young age will have an impact on that picture.
Empathy
In my opinion, in the real world empathy is a measure of maturity. It is imperative to the survival of our species. If we cannot share in each other’s pain and joy, we will eventually kill each other. Reading is the easiest way to put yourself in someone else shoes. You know what the character is thinking and how they are feeling and why.
There are many examples of this littered throughout Harry Potter, like when Harry goes to the zoo and realised the snake must be bored. Or when Hermione explains to the boys how Cho must be having a hard time with her feelings for Harry after Cedric’s death.
Many of the characters display empathy throughout the books. My two favourite empathic characters are Rubeus Hagrid and Minerva McGonagall.
Hagrid’s empathy is obvious and always on display. We see this in his love for every creature that crosses his path. When we first meet him, he is retrieving baby Harry from the ruins of his parent’s house and delivering him to the Dursely.
“He bent his great, shaggy head over Harry and gave him what must have been a very scratchy, whiskery kiss. Then, suddenly, Hagrid let out a howl like a wounded dog.” ~ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone
In the wake of the victory over the Voldermort, while the rest of the wizarding world was happily celebrating, Hagrid was mourning the cost of that victory. The examples are countless, he comforts Hermione when she is called a Mud blood. He brings back his giant half brother to Hogwarts because the other giants were bullying him. He understands that part of the reason the Ministry lied about Voldermort returning comes from a place of fear. He sees the beauty in everything and everyone who has the privilege of meeting him.
While Hagrid’s empathy is overt, Minerva McGonagall’s brand of empathy is more subtle.
When I think of Professor McGonagall, the word that comes to mind is stern. Her introduction to the series is first stern about the wizarding world possibly exposing themselves, and then, just like Hagrid, she displays a very deep concern for the Potter’s and the future home of their son.
While McGonagall and Professor Trelawney did not get along when Umbridge tried to kick her out, McGonagall came to her defence.
“There, there, Sybill… calm down… blow your nose on this, it’s not as bad as you think, now… you are not going to have to leave Hogwarts…” ~ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
When they expect it least and need it most, under McGonagall’s stern exterior lies understanding and compassion for her students.
‘Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?’
‘Yes’, said Harry.
‘You called her a liar?’
‘Yes’
‘You told her He Who Must Be Named is back?’
‘Yes’
Professor McGonagall sat down behind her desk, frowning at Harry. Then she said, ‘Have a biscuit, Potter.’ ~ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Lack of empathy is sometimes portrayed as a character flaw, while empathic characters are always praised and valued in the Harry Potter series.
Do we live in a world where Neville Longbottom would earn 10 points for standing up to his friends? Do we want too?
