Harry Potter World Analysis
Harry Potter World Analysis
Harry Potter World Analysis
Muggles
Example: YOU! (Probably) Harry Potter lives in the UK; Muggle culture is nearly identical to that of *us* but most closely related to a normal resident of England during the time period (approx. 1980-2008) Money, Politics, Computers, etc.
Wizards/Witches
Hidden, according to Wizarding Law, from the Muggles and regulated by the established Ministry for Magic (UK) Require wands to properly channel magic Underage magic is highly regulated Wizards/Witches can be born of Muggles (nasty term Mudblood) or 1 muggle parent & 1 wizard Half-Blood or a Pure Blood family Wizarding snobbery desires Pure Blood above all & also feel incredibly superior to muggles
*Special Wizards*
Half Wizard/Half magical creature ex: Hagrid (half giant) Wizards who have been magically changed ex: Remus Lupin (bitten werewolf) Animagus - Wizards who can shape change at will into an animal ex: Sirius Black (dog) or Professor Minerva McGonagall (cat)
Magical Creatures
House-elf: Slaves to human families, typically passing down through pure blood families offspring of house-elves are born into slavery. Can only be released if presented with clothing. Hippogriff: proud flying 4-legged creature Centaur: 4 legged highly sentient proud creatures who move in herds in the Forbidden Forest outside Hogwarts Goblins: proud, short, strict, makers of special metals, run the Gringotts Bank (safest bank in the world!), very envious of wizards
Ministry of Magic
Methods of entering the hidden building (as with St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies) are accessible for all levels of wizarding (underage wizards can access from unhidden realm of Muggles as with Kings Cross - train that takes students to school) Statue portraying Wizard as most powerful above magical
Intolerance
From Chapter 1 of Book 1, first sentence: Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people youd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didnt hold with such nonsense.
Rules of Magic
Strict enforcement of Underage Magic (school age/before 17 Magical Coming of Age) outside school by age 11 Politics / Secrecy - Must not be seen by muggles nor harm muggles with magic Requires tools for humans, though magical creatures do not need wands or spells to use
Ghosts
No specific reference to God/Heaven as the exact religion, though there are Christmas and Easter holidays (Christian holidays) Wizards can leave an imprint of themselves and roam the world (or Hogwarts) as ghosts Behind the veil sort of other place after you die to go thats unexplainable Example: Nearly-Headless Nick - on explaining his reasoning for leaving a ghost of himself: I was afraid [of death]
The Weasleys
Good example of a family who would be able to call themselves superior if they want to because they are a pure blooded family but do not hold to such ideals Family is poor, large, and red-headed Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have taught their children well about moral integrity Nastily called Blood Traitors
Magical Locales
Kings Cross St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries Diagon Alley Hogsmeade
Blood Status
Pure Blood Half Blood Mudblood Half Breed Blood Traitor
Gringotts Bank
Run by Goblins Nigh-Impenetrable Can exchange muggle money for wizarding money and vice versa
Honeydukes Zonkos Joke Shop Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes No wizarding child would not know all about these places