William Bowman
Blog Post 2
Harry Potter and your Major

Teachers of Hogwarts: the do's and don'ts

                Harry Potter. By far my favorite book series and a big part of my life. I am an Early Childhood Education major with a minor in French and this aspect of my life absolutely has an impact on how I read the Harry Potter series. As a teacher, I tend to focus on the educational aspect of Hogwarts more than any normal human being should. Teachers, students, and classes will all consume the rest of my life and therefore, I tend to focus on these aspects while reading Harry Potter.

                Seeing as the series (for the most part) takes place at Hogwarts, a lot of the characters are students and teachers. The differences in classroom management, teaching style, and teaching goals spand to every end of the spectrum. For example Professor Binns’ goal is to teach the class, whether anyone learns or not. I know this because Harry tells us that the class (Hermione excluded) zone out and that even on possibly interesting topics nobody cares. On the other end, Professor Flitwick cares about his students learning and when he knows they won’t pay attention, as we see in Goblet of fire when his students are so focused on the yule ball, Flitwick uses the time effectively so that students still learn like practicing cheering charms. Another example of differing teachers is the difference in teaching style between Professors Snape and Lupin. Professor Snape runs a very biased classroom in which he treats his students very differently depending on his personal feelings for them, example Malfoy and Harry. Snape teaches those he likes and puts pressure to fail on others. Harry says, while taking his OWLs that potions is a lot easier when Professor Snape isn’t hovering around goading him. Professor Lupin, however, teaches through affirmation such as we see on his first day when he puts confidence in Neville Longbotttom to defeat the Boggart.

                As a studying teacher, I enjoy reading the Harry Potter series because it shows a variety of teaching methods and beliefs. Some that I wish to emulate in my teachings and others that I wish to stay far away from.  

                

Blog Post 2

My major is Electronic Media, and though I did take this course for "fun" it also meets a Humanities and Literature gen-ed requirement. When I told my friends that I was taking this class some of them thought that it was super awesome and they were completely jealous. Others not so much. Others warned me saying that this class was going to be full of people "you don't normally hang out with".  I understood where they were coming from, I am not a fan of the books as I am of the movies. (I am more of a live-action visual person.) I didn't know how I would get on with people who are so obsessed with the text that they have dog-earred every other page of their own copies. 

To say the least, I was really surprised to meet my classmates. Everyone is so different. We come from so many different places, different backgrounds - and though we are relatively all close in age - we come from different places in our personal and professional lives. Despite all of these differences, here we are, every Tuesday and Thursday, discussing a book series and becoming fast friends, quickly shoving aside our differences in order to grasp our similarities. Everyone loves the Harry Potter series so much. As a media major, this is amazing to me. It proves a truth I've discovered and decided to dedicate my life to: For all that media is criticized and bashed, it sure helps to pull a lot of people together for good, positive reasons. Media, wether that be a paper back book or a movie or a TV show or music or podcast or video games or a newspaper, influences people and when done right, LOOK AT WHAT IT CAN DO. 

J.K. Rowling's books have brought people together that might never have talked to each other or even been in the same room. Dumbledore probably says it best in The Goblet of Fire when he said, "Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open." As an electronic media major I want to create media like this. In such a way that it can bring people together to learn, to laugh, to motivate, and to heal. I love Harry Potter and the rest of the gang but not as much as I enjoy watching my classmates discover and dissect the Wizzarding World of Harry Potter. 

Blog 2, Prompt 1 Marissa Howland

Choices

The Harry Potter books have many very interesting and in-depth themes. Several of these themes relate to our culture and society outside of the books. The theme I think that is the most represented both in the books and in our culture is the theme of having to make choices, especially difficult ones. This can been in every single one of the Harry Potter books, but since we are currently reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, I will be using more examples from this book.

The first time in this particular book that I know a difficult choice was discussed was when Harry Potter chose to use the Half Blood Prince’s spell that he had found in his textbook. He didn’t know it until afterwards, but this turned out to be an awful choice. He hurt Malfoy really bad and could have killed him if it weren’t have been for Snape being there to fix it and get him to Madam Humphrey. Using this spell without knowing what it did was very irresponsible of him. Another time in this book where a difficult decision was discussed was when Voldemort chose to let the prophecy control him and turn all of the events that happened into what actually happened. The prophecy could have just never happened if Voldemort hadn’t have taken it the way he did and killed Harry’s parents. Lastly, one more example of a time when a difficult choice was discussed in this book was when Harry’s mom made the decision to sacrifice herself and try to save her son. She could have run and saved herself, but she didn’t. She tried to save her son and ended up succeeding.

            Now, in the rest of the Harry Potter books that we have read, books 1-5, there are also a lot of occurrences where choices are discussed as the characters struggle through them. In the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, we learn that Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon chose to take him in when they found him as a baby. This decision actually turned out nicely. Harry finally found out through Dumbledore that they had been helping to protect him all this time. In the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry chose to go down into the Chamber of Secrets alone with Ron and Gilderoy. This was a mistake, however, he did end up fighting bravely and turning it around in his favor. In the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, it mentions Sirius making the mistake of trusting Peter Pettigrew when Harry’s parents died. He thought they were friends, so it was not his fault. But because he trusted Peter, they were given up to Voldemort and then killed. In the fourth book, all of Harry’s decisions having to do with the Triwizard Cup are decisions that helped get him through the games alive. These choices were risks, but he was able to make the rights choices through the help of others. Lastly, in the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, an example is when Harry made the decision to go after Sirius in the Department of Mysteries. Hermione tried to talk him through it and Harry just wouldn’t listen. I understand that he thought it was worth the risk, but afterwards, now that he lost Sirius, I bet he wishes he had thought it out more.

            In conclusion, I think the theme that "choices have to be made, even if they aren’t easy" is the theme that is mostly demonstrated in these books and in life. People make hard decisions every day and it’s nice to be able to read about mistakes and poor choices in books where these problems don’t really matter or have an effect.  Sometimes people make the right choices and sometimes they make the wrong ones, but at least in books life isn’t really altered.

Blog 2 Option 1: Dementors and Depression

DEPRESSION

J.K. Rowling does an amazing job with connecting themes in Harry Potter to issues in real life. One issue that hit me hard in reading these books was how she addresses Depression, through the use of the dementors that guard Azkaban. Though I have never personally struggled with depression, I have definitely had my battles with extreme sadness, heartbreak, and even some guilt in regret. Maybe at the time I had thought that a case of depression was what I had been enduring, but after reading these books, and the portions regarding the dementors especially, I now know I was pretty off base.

In book 3 of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter is introduced to the dementors, in a quite less than friendly kind of way. When Ron Weasley recalled what it felt like when the dementor came near him, he said he felt like he would “never be cheerful again.” Professor Lupin, in another scene when describing to Harry about the dementors he deems them “among the foulest creatures that walk this earth,” who “infest the darkest, filthiest places.” Lupin continues to explain the dementors’ effect, stating they “drain peace, hope, and happiness,” and that they “glory in decay and despair.” He continues, explaining what would happen when near to one, stating, “Every happy memory will be sucked out of you,” and that in the end, “you’ll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life.”

Dementors are essentially faceless, bodiless creatures, covered in a dark, tattered, destroyed cloak that float around aimlessly, looking to feed off of any despair they can find, drawn to any sort of state of helplessness. Depression, as I have come to understand it, is the same sort of monster, faceless and bodiless, floating around aimlessly. Depression infests the dark and the filth, and depression is the dark and the filth. If it was a creature, it would be a dementor, which I believe was Rowling’s whole idea when she imagined up the dementor.

The dementors are relevant to culture in today’s society, because so many people are suffering from the illness they represent, and much like Harry thought at first, they see no way of overcoming it. As there is no age barrier in those that suffer from depression, the connection can be made similarly to not only the dementors affecting any person at any age, but also how Harry does end up being able to overcome him through his Patronus, even at his very young age of 13. The Patronus charm represents so much, and though it is described as “very advanced magic,” I almost don’t even look at it as magic at all, because it derives from extremely happy thoughts, which is the force that drives away the dementors. I think the same can be said for depression itself, that very happy memories could and would do a number on the illness, if one can harness that power within themselves so strongly. Harry, who has never talked to his parents, and who hears them being murdered when the dementors attack him, overcomes them through powerful happy memories that he realizes he still possesses even though he is forced to relive his parents death over and over again. This is truly an inspiring theme.

Another connection I made to the treatment of the dementor attacks is to the treatment of depression. Professor Lupin merely gives Harry chocolate to help him recover the extreme pain and sadness inflicted upon him from the dementor attacks. I am in no way claiming to be a doctor, or have any medical background or knowledge, but this is the way I truly feel about some medicine in the present. In culture today, those diagnosed with depression seem to be given more and more medication, pills, and regiments, to battle it. I think that part of the reason it refuses to subside is that it is not something that can be treated merely with a little white pill, but something very different. Chocolate is a symbol for love, care, and a happy life (http://esromart.hubpages.com/hub/Meaning-Chocolate-Gift-Symbolic-Passion-Life), and in Aztec culture can even be a symbol of power (http://hassam.hubpages.com/hub/Facts-On-Chocolates). These symbols, when turned into real life actions, can be the first steps towards overcoming the extreme despair people are going through, not an attempt in mixing chemicals. What we all need is power over ourselves and our emotions, the realization of the choice that we can choose to feel and experience what we want, more of the love and care from those around us, and to give it more to those around us, and to live happily.

       My major is Biology and this is the first time that i have ever taken an English class where the literature was like this of Harry potter. I have always loved the movies from Harry Potter and read each book as they came out years ago. I was so excited to re-read them now and catch all the small details that i may have overlooked in the past. With my major I think that it has caused me to think more rationally and in more depth because of the broad topics i have read all dealing with scientific subjects.
     Back when i was first beginning to read the Harry Potter series i failed to catch a lot of details relating to history such as world war I and simple things that are now so obvious to me like names. Petunia and Lily for example, in book one when they were first introduced, their names match their personalities. Petunia means jealousy and she showed this when her sister Lily had been getting all the attention for being different which she referred to as a freak! Petunia said " Oh, she got a letter just like that and disappeared off to that... that school and came home every holiday with her pockets full of frog-spawn, turning tea-cups into rats. I was the only one who saw her for what she was... a freak! But for my mother and father, oh no, it was Lily this and Lily that, they were proud of having a witch in the family!" (Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone). Sounds a bit jealous if you ask me!  Lily name means beauty, pure or innocent which she was although the relationship with her sister wasn't as such.
    JK Rowling puts so many symbolic references into her books that you have no choice but to re-read them all. Then re-read them again, In my case it seems like every time i do go back and read them i find something new and i do think that is a part that came from my major in critically reading and understanding what you have just read while applying it to things outside of the magical world of Harry Potter.

Blog 2 Drew Mannix

One issue that is addressed in the Harry Potter books that we’ve read so far that has really made me think was the issue of the enslavement of the house elves. This issue brings up several issues in our culture today, including slavery and free will. In the books we see that many of the house elves that work for the more prestigious wizarding family’s seem to have the belief that serving the families is what their purpose in life is. They seem to have zero desire to escape the clutches of enslavement; feeling entitled to serve these wizarding families.            Obviously there are themes of slavery in Harry Potter when house-elves are concerned. Like slaves, they have to obey theyre masters, but also like slaves they don't have to like it. House elves that are mistreated tend to reluctantly follow their masters orders and look for any loophole to get out of the orders. For example, when Sirius yelled at kreacher to "get out," which he meant to get out of the kitchen, Kreacher was able to interpret the command in a way that enabled him to leave the house and go to Bellatrix Lestrange. The biggest impact that can come to a house-elve’s life is if and when their master presents them with clothes. This is to mean that their master sets them free to live their own lives and escape the world of enslavement that they are living in.  This to me has huge meaning. House-elves have so little dignity that just by being presented clothes they can be free.

Blog 2, Prompt 1

As an author, Rowling incorporates examples of real-world problems into the storyline of the series, a topic having been brought up and discussed multiple times in class. Some of these include post world war II, the British Government, political leaders of a generation, bullying, depression, and discrimination.

            Discrimination has been abundant within each and every book of the series, ranging in many forms. However, Hermione is a perfect example to showcase just how excessive the wizarding discrimination can get. Born from two Muggle parents, she is considered of low value by most pure bloods. A mudblood is one of the most serious insults in the magic world. Even house elves such as Kreacher are extremely rude and practice discrimination on Hermione nearly everyday while the crew spent time at the Order headquarters.

            The Weasley family although purebloods are constantly being discriminated due to Mr. Weasley’s obsession with muggles and their things.  In the wizarding world it is  shameful to be “muggle lovers”. The Weasleys are sometimes compared to muggles due to Arthurs fondness of their race, which is a shameful thing to do in the magical world. Although mudbloods may be lowest on the ladder in terms of value and levels of witches and wizards, muggles are the lowest on the entire scale.  Being a muggle is quite the pity due to their lack of extraordinary abilities.

            We not only see discrimination with people in the series but as other creatures as well. House elves are the most poorly treated group of all. They are expected to beat themselves after mistakes, remain filthy wearing only rags and scraps, and are worked to the bone under sometimes very harsh conditions. Hermione recognizing this problem creates S.P.E.W. to counteract and stand up for the elves. However as we already know, house elves enjoy the enslavement something they have been bread for for their entire existence. There is no other way of life for them.

            Many of these examples of discrimination and more are recognized in the series on several of the main characters. This results in the always-occurring powerful love of friendship shared between Hermione, Ron, and Harry. When one is insulted, another is always stepping up to defend and fight.  These three show deep affection and value for each other, something that always keeps them strong, no matter the hurtful discrimination.

Blog Post 2- Discrimination

In J.K. Rowling's wonderful Harry Potter series, the issue of discrimination parallels a lot of what we see in our culture today. Many of the characters face hateful or racist remarks based upon where they come from or what they are; especially the Golden Trio. Harry faces the loathing of the Dursley's because of his wizard parents (and, ultimately, his wizard-ness), Ron faces the rude remarks about his family's financial situation, and Hermoine faces bullies such as Draco Malfoy who call her a "filthy little mudblood."

Hermione, however, may be the best example for discrimination because, not only does she deal with the racist comments about her muggle background, she acknowledges and fights for those who are discriminated against in the wizard world such as giants and house-elves. Despite most of the house-elves wanting absolutely nothing to do with SPEW (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare), Hermione campaigns for better treatment, payment, and freedom for the hardworking creatures.

There is also the issue of blood in Harry Potter that parallels a lot of our world's issues with race. Wizards tend to identify themselves by their 'blood' or by which world their parents grew up in (i.e. Purebloods, Half-Bloods. Mudbloods). Some purebloods or pureblood families want to wipe out anyone who isn't from the wizarding world. such as Salazar Slytherin. The Malfoy Family, the Black Family, the Lestrange Family, and many more believed so strongly in their pureblood title that not following those rules would result in being literally wiped from the family tree, as seen in Sirius Black.

Studies have been done on people of all ages to see if reading excerpts of Harry Potter influences their opinions towards immigrants, refugees, and homosexuals and every single study has shown that people are more accepting and positive towards minority groups. Reading the books to young children makes them less prejudiced and more welcoming to people of different backgrounds and it has influenced an entire generation to stand up for social injustice just like the Golden Trio did throughout their years at Hogwarts and beyond. The world has become a better place due to J.K. Rowling's story and continues to influence social change in the ongoing fight to end discrimination with every new reader.

Blog 2 Prompt 1- Sarah Saalfeld

            J.K. Rowling addresses a number of social issues in the Harry Potter series. Adults and children alike can relate to these many social issues. J.K. Rowling addresses subjects in the series such as, family problems, the loss of a loved one, starting a new school, finding something dramatic about yourself, fighting with friends, building new friendships, etc. I think that one social issue that J.K. Rowling addresses in detail, throughout the series, is bullying. Bullying is a huge social issue right now and is constantly being talked about.

            Rowling shows many examples of different kinds of bullying throughout the series. The most obvious example of bullying is the way that the Dursleys treat Harry. In The Sorcerer’s Stone, the reader see how Harry is mistreated and bullied by his aunt, uncle, and cousin. He does not even get a bedroom (although there is an extra one). Rather, he lives in cupboard under the staircase. They also buy their son, Dudley, many presents for his birthday, but they barely even acknowledge Harry’s birthday. They also treat Harry as a maid, making him clean and cook while the rest of the family sits around (Rowling, The Sorcerer’s Stone).

            Another example of bullying is the character Draco Malfoy. Malfoy is constantly bullying other students at Hogwarts. He has a particular inclination to bully those witches and wizards who are muggle born. He calls them “mudbloods”, a derogatory name for people born to non-magic parents (Rowling, The Chamber of Secrets). Draco is also constantly making fun of Ron and the whole Weasley family for being poor. As soon as the readers meet Draco, he shows his true colors by telling Harry that he should be careful who he hangs out with, implying that because Ron is poor he is not worth Harry’s time (Rowling, The Sorcerer’s Stone). 

            Through all of the bullying we see in the books, J.K. Rowling is sure to show that the bullies do not come out on top. Rather, the people being bullied persevere and come out of the situation okay. This is an incredibly positive message for children. First, it shows them that they are not alone in their struggles. Second, it gives them someone to relate to. It also shows them that things can get better and that they, just as the characters in the book, can make it through the hard times.

Blog 2 Option 2

As the years have progressed I have certainly learned to read books differently as an English major. Speaking generally I find that little details can be very important, as well as actions rather than what is being said amongst characters.  In the first book Professor Quirrell’s actions were something very important to take notice into consideration. It would be quick to assume Professor Snape was the bad guy due to Harry’s opinion of him and his general cold standoffish behavior.  In reading these novels again I am paying closer attention to the clues of each character and what they are actually doing.

When I read Shakespeare for example I have learned that not everything is what it seems.  It is important to pay attention to what the characters in his plays are saying but more importantly what they are doing.  The most memorable moment that comes to mind now is in Henry IV Part I and the character of Sir John Falstaff. Technically, he is a knight but his behaviors would never let one to believe it. He doesn't practice the chivalrous behavior a knight should embody. He lies, cheats, and steals. In the end once the rebellion battle is being fought, Falstaff pretends to be dead most of the battle so he doesn't really have to fight.  Although he claims his knighthood, by his actions we can hardly say he fits the title and we know where his loyalties lie, primarily with himself.

 Linking this back to the Harry Potter realm, when we hear that someone is a teacher of Hogwarts, we want to assume that Dumbledore has chosen the best person and someone he trusts. We assume that a teacher wouldn't want to harm but protect the students there.  We first encounter Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone  as Harry and Hagrid are making their way to Diagon Alley. Quirrell is described as, “A pale young man made his way forward, very nervously. One of his eyes was twitching” (Rowling 70). As he speaks to Harry, Quirrell stutters almost every word he says involving Harry’s name and the Dark Arts.  When I first read this book I thought this was a minor detail  and that this guy was just weird, and I looked over it. Now I noticed that it is an important characteristic of him.  Throughout the rest of the novel Quirrell is always doing odd things and this becomes a characteristic of the new Defense of the Dark Arts teachers to come.  Mad-Eye, although it seems in character, is always drinking from his flask at all times. Him being an auror, it seemed acceptable of to not trust anything he is offered, but in the end it is another clue to who the bad guy is. Lupin had his weird quirks as well. His shabby appearance and his noticeable exhaustion, Lockhart and his self-absorbed attitude was also a sign that he had his own secrets he was hiding as well.  In the end I have learned it is important to critically analyze and over think each character. In many ways Harry does this himself. He observes everyone’s actions and thinks in the extreme scenarios of what they are up to. Malfoy is the perfect example. He knows that he is up to no good but he cannot easily convince his friends of this.  Since we hear from Harry’s perspective it helps us question everyone he questions as well.

Blog Prompt 2 - Option 1

    In the Harry Potter book series written by J.K. Rowling, many issues are brought up that correspond directly to political issues in our culture. A primary issue presented by Rowling is discrimination, particularly of blood and heritage. Many individuals in our culture are discriminated upon simply because of their ancestors and where they come from.

    One of the biggest issues of discrimination in the Harry Potter series encompasses the purity of one’s blood. It is evident very early in the series that blood purity plays a major role in discrimination in the wizarding world. As early as the second book, Malfoy responds to Hermione by calling her a “filthy little Mudblood”. To me, this term sounded bad immediately, without even knowing the context. Rowling clearly wanted to show a culture that mirrors our own.

    In our culture, and particularly in America, we feel very strongly encouraged to share our opinions. This encouragement, at least in my opinion, comes from our inalienable right to freedom. As a result, many forms of discrimination plague our culture, and it is particularly evident between those with different cultural backgrounds. This is clear with slavery in the United States; even thought it was abolished in 1865, extreme discrimination of African Americans led to Martin Luther King Jr’s speech for equal rights 1963, almost a century later. This discrimination still continues today, and is strongly connected to the concepts Rowing presents. 

    I find it particularly fascinating that, although Rowling uses these terms often throughout the series, she doesn’t necessarily show it affecting characters in a negative way. She often shows pure-bloods as the perpetrators in this situation; Malfoy certainly isn't hesitant toward using the word. Often when Hermione is called a Mudblood, she doesn’t let it affect her much. This shows that their culture is somewhat different from ours; our culture often lashes out in anger and protests because of cultural discrimination.

The Power of Frienship

In a society where “frenemies” (a mixture between “friends” and “enemies”) are increasingly common, especially in adolescents, the Harry Potter novels give a different perspective in stressing the importance of friendship. When deciding what topic in Harry Potter is relevant to our culture, my mind immediately went to how these books have impacted me the most. Because I was so inspired and encouraged by the friendships in these novels, I believe that J.K. Rowling’s theme of friendships is widely impactful in our culture and especially my generation—one that grew up reading these novels.

The reader first meets Harry as a boy who has no friends, is rejected from his family, and lives in a cupboard under the stairs. He is miserable and hopeless in his situation, thinking that he will have to endure the Dursley’s for the rest of his adolescent life. His hopelessness is hindered by a visit from Hagrid telling Harry that he is a wizard (Sorcerer’s Stone 50). Harry is obviously shocked, but the first real tinge of joy comes when he meets Ron on the Hogwarts Express. It is no coincidence that Rowling places Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville in the same boat as they approach the castle for the first time (Sorcerer’s Stone 111). These four were pushed together in the beginning of their adventure, and remain friends until the end. Harry goes from miserable to happy just because of the company he surrounds himself with. This is a common theme for the rest of the series.

In the entirety of the series, Harry surrounds himself with a few important people that he can share with in confidence. This is relevant to our culture because it shows the reader that it is the quality of friends that really matters, not the quantity. Harry could have easily tried to make friends with everyone because of his fame, but he chose to have a few close friends that he could trust. In an age where popularity is important and friendships, and you are judged by the amount of “likes” on social media sites, this is revolutionary idea. Personally, if I had learned this before the end of high school I would have saved myself many tears and much heartache. By re-reading the series, it is obvious the impact that these books had on my generation—even at a subconscious level. I have heard story after story about how the example of friendship in the Harry Potter books gave children hope that they could have sacrificial friendships of their own.

It is also important to note the advantages of surrounding yourself with friends.  Yes, friends are encouraging, and usually love you for who you are, but they also, in a sense, complete you. In the books each of the three main protagonists are able to play to each other’s strengths. The quest to stop the Sorcerer’s Stone from being stolen is the perfect example of friends working together for a common purpose. Hermione realizes that they fall into Devil’s Snare, and knows how to get out of its entanglement (277-78). Harry is able to find the right flying key and catch it while riding a broom (280). Ron is able to play the best game of wizard’s chess he has ever played, and sacrifices himself, so that the other two can get to the stone. Hermione also uses “cool logic in the face of fire” (as said by Dumbledore, 305) when solving Snape’s logic puzzle to get Harry into the chamber to reach the Stone (286).

Even though my examples were only from the first book, the friends navigate homework, quidditch, exams, and fighting Lord Voldemort, and they do it together throughout the remaining six books. Rowling’s example of sacrificial friendship has been important to culture as a whole because it shows how a person can become a better version of themselves in the midst of friends.

Blog Post 2

The Potter books take on an assortment of topics and subjects, bad or not, that are relevant to the culture we are present in today. I love this particular question because I've always seen a reoccurring theme within the books and how it even applies to the outside fan base of the novels. J.K. Rowling assembled the characters of the Harry Potter series to be unique, satisfying but most importantly flawed. Throughout the series we learn to love these flaws, and we as readers begin to understand them. This directly applies to our culture today because I believe we are the most unique age of people existing today, compensating for a whole barrage of flawed, unique people. And I love that. This is why I believe J.K. Rowling's novels are so relevant to our culture today when they show us- It's ok to be different.

The whole series is based off a type of people different from "muggles" capable of conjuring magic. However, the idea of different more directly applies to the characters within the magic world themselves. An example I love that displays just one of the many times Harry exemplifies himself as different is in The Chamber of Secrets. In chapter 11, Harry and Malfoy are chosen to represent their houses in a dueling match by Lockhart and Snape. "'What's bad?' said Harry, starting to feel quite angry. 'What's wrong with everyone? Listen, if I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin-'" (Rowling 196.) I love this example because it's one of the key defining features of Harry that sets him so apart from everyone else, but quite directly is what saved Justin Finch Fletchley, and later on, countless others from the basilisk. Another example of how Rowling shows how different is ok is in the Sorceror's Stone with another character, Hermione, who is made fun of for being the intellectual book-worm she is throughout her life. This difference setting her apart also paid off when she saved Harry and Ron's life while in the devil's snare, "Lucky you pay attention in herbology, Hermione" (Rowling 202). When in comparison with culture today, good things come from those whom are different, and it should never be looked down on. J.K. Rowling herself has said she was so fortunate to attend school at the collegiate level, but wanted to write novels in her life. This was looked down on by her parents as they thought she would turn out poor as they were, but it's what got her to the point she is at today by choosing to embrace her passion and difference.

Nelle Sanderson - Blog #2 - Option #2

I am a theatre design and production major at CCM.  I think that my major encourages me to look at the book in a similar fashion to english majors. We as storytellers immerse ourselves in stories, while at the same time take a step back to analyze and ask what is really being said.  While my degree may be in theatre design and production, I have taken several American Sign Language classes. We in fact analyzed Harry Potter through a Deaf lens and were able to see many similarities between the magical world and the Deaf world.  I would like to use this blog post to examine those similarities rather than my own experiences in entertainment.

The similarities between Harry Potter and the Deaf world are really rooted in two areas: how the two worlds are managed and made up of similar institutions and rules, and ow Harry's own experience mimics that of a Deaf child.  As far as institutions are concerned, Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic are both examples of institutions that could represent something else.  In deaf culture, it is common for deaf children to be sent away to boarding schools specifically meant for deaf children. It allows them to be with people like them and in that sense can use skills they may not be able to use on a regular basis.  This is where magic becomes a metaphor for ASL. These schools are often hidden or better said unheard of, much like Hogwarts is to the muggle world.  The Ministry of Magic is in close relationship to the National Association of the Deaf.  It is not an official governing body, but is an institution that facilitates the needs of the deaf community.

When reading Harry Potter through a deaf lens, one can see how Harry's journey is similar to that of a deaf child.  For instance, he is cast aside by his family because he is not normal.  He does not feel accepted until he is in a place where he can be himself.  There is also somewhat of the class system in the deaf community. Deaf individuals who have two deaf parents are held in a different esteem from deaf individuals with two hearing parents.  And the idea of a squib exists in the deaf community as well.  An individual who was born to two deaf parents but is hearing.  The similarities get deeper and deeper the more that you watch or read.

While I am not an American Sign Language major, it was a very interesting observation to be a part of. And it shows how universal thew story of Harry Potter is.

Blog #2 - Prompt #2 - Kerra Sunderlin

As a Graphic Communication Design major, there's not a lot of connections I can make between my major and reading Harry Potter. However on my reread of the series, one thing in particular I've been especially cognizant of are the small drawings at the beginning of every chapter. With my prior knowledge of everything that happens through out the series, I've begun to notice their significance to the text and what is contained in every chapter. In fact I've begun to consider them an example of a communication problem that designers like me deal with on a daily basis. J.K. Rowling certainly wanted these drawings to hint at what was to come without giving anything away and was likely to have worked closely with the illustrator to make sure this was accomplished. This emphasis on teasing the audience is what makes them so interesting and an important part of the reading experience.

As a whole, these small illustrations tell their own story and while some are seemingly explicit, others tend to be far more obscure and hint at some of the more suspenseful events in each chapter. For example, in the Goblet of Fire, Chapter Nineteen is simply named "The Hungarian Horntail" with a very obvious illustration of a group of dragons. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize this means there's dragons involved in this chapter, however Rowling distracts with the reader with mention of a fire side chat with Sirius and keeps the dragon's involvement in the overall theme of the book a secret until later in the chapter (pg 313). By stalling up until the big reveal of the first task, Rowling is able to still create an effective plot twist. However if she attempted to do this for the second task chapter as well, I doubt it would work as effectively. On the completely opposite side of the spectrum are some of the more ambiguous chapter illustrations. One such illustration can be found in the Goblet of Fire for the very last chapter called "The Beginning" (pg 716). The illustration of a random beetle on a leaf doesn't seem to be a fitting drawing for the closing chapter of the long book, however once we come to one of the final plot twists of the novel when Hermione exposes Rita Skeeter's beetle animagus form, we understand just how significant the drawing is. In fact, upon a closer look, we're even able to discern the cat eye glasses markings around the beetle's eyes. Each drawing contains a little magic that opens our eyes to the magical world of Harry Potter, all while keeping us on our toes about the next suspenseful plot twist.

Overall I find these small, yet detailed illustrations such a fascinating part of the Harry Potter series. For one, they're one of the few things that still ties the series to it's children's literature roots and help the audience begin to visualize some of the moments throughout each book. However they also pose an interesting problem for the illustrator to solve of what to show and how much is too much. It's absolutely fascinating for me to imagine a client and artist relationship between J.K. Rowling and Mary GrandPré, the illustrator. While it's such a small part of the overall experience of reading Harry Potter, it inspires my design career to imagine how my own designs could possibly play a part of something as magical as the Harry Potter series.

Blog Prompt 2 Option 1- Molly Morgan

                  J.K. Rowling addresses children, and sometimes adults, issues they face throughout their lives. Going to a new school, making hard decisions, putting up with bullies, and learning new things about yourself are all very challenging issues.  I’m sure we could all agree we have faced at least one of these in our lives. The Harry Potter series or movies are, in my opinion, crucial to childhood upbringings because they provide an escape from reality and allow children to see how they get through the hardships they may face.

                  Whether you’re growing up with Harry, or watching Harry grow up, you will come to see how real the issues are he faces in the books and movies are in real life. One main issue Harry faces throughout the entire series is putting up with Draco Malfoy, the “bully” in the Slytherin house at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before the students are even sorted into their houses as first years at Hogwarts, Malfoy is already talking bad about Harry’s best friend Ron by saying he is poor; this is a common issue in our world today, many people are discriminated for what they don’t have (Rowling, Sorcerer’s Stone). Malfoy also refers to Hermione, Harry’s other best friend, as a “mud-blood” (Rowling, Chamber of Secrets.) This is an awful thing to say in the wizarding world, as it means "Muggle- born witch or wizard." This also creates a parallel of issues between reality and the Harry Potter series because of name-calling and judging people.

                  It is important that J.K. Rowling addressed these issues, especially bullying, because it provides children with an example that they are not alone and the world isn't only all bad. The Harry Potter movies and books are great ways for children to escape their realities and dive into the wonderful world of magic and imagination, while learning about issues and how to overcome them.