ENG 200: Critical Reading & Writing Literature
In the timely literary class of J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter: And the Sorcerers Stone, we dived into the magical world of wizardry and friendship. Rowling tells the story of a young gifted boy who survived a tragic event early on in life and has been destined for greatness. Being both set in the wizard realm we live through the world with the same level of knowledge as our main protagonist Harry Potter. From the views of the destined boy-to-be, we see the social structures in play eliciting Marxist ideals. Rowling establishes a narrative that represents class struggles between the established and rising classes. The ideology presents itself in the noble heroes battling against the dark arts, the conflict of blood status in the wizardry realm, socioeconomic status, as well as the class structure in the school itself.,
From the reading, Rowling presents a whole new realm filled with magic and wonder. With that comes class division. Class division is present throughout the narrative from Hogwarts to the realm itself. Karl Marx created the ideology in which he believed that an ideal society would be a classless one that shared its commodities. He viewed capitalism as a destructor of his ideal world. As the book is written by Rowling, we can see this as a reflection of how she views society. Either subconsciously or conscious she has created a capitalistic society with present class struggles. Marxism theory is used by Rowling as a way to drive Harry’s quest for truth and justice. The boy who lived has shown himself to be rebellious when it comes to authority, especially at Hogwarts. Establishing himself, and his classmates, as the proletariats fighting against the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie represents the oppressors in the narrative. The wealthy elitist, the evil doings of the dark lords, as well as the governing body.
When it is time to leave for Hogwarts, Harry is left at the station in London by Uncle Vernon. Ron enlightens Harry about his infamous moniker and some facts about the wizardry realm. They are met by some classmates passing the halls. Hermione Granger is a wickedly smart young girl who comes across as a know-it-all. Draco Malfoy is an arrogant blonde hair boy who comes from a long line of wizards. Neville Longbottom would lose his head if it was not screwed on his neck. Instantly a relationship between Hermonie, Ron, and Neville forms since they are the underdogs. They are constantly criticized, especially through Draco’s crude remarks, yet overcome adversity as the protagonist.
Alongside the establishment of their characteristics from Rowling, we can establish Marxist ideology. In our introduction to the Wealsy, they are constantly referred to as poor establishing themselves as a prime example of the proletariat class. They represent the working class who are constantly short on cash. They live in a modest house, they pass down clothes to be worn again, and their father works for the Ministry of Magic. Working for the Ministry of Magic is seen as a common government position. Although representing the proletariat, they are always portrayed positively by Rowling. Despite their poverty, they are always willing to help Harry. Contrasting the Weasley family is the Malfoys. The Malfoys are the wealthy elicits who constantly look down on those of the lower class, especially the Weaslys. They represent the prime example of the bourgeois class. The family has shown hatred towards the Weasly family, as they thought them to bring shame to the magical community. The Malfoys take pride in their rich bloodline seeing themself as superior.
In analyzing the Malfoys’ superiority complex, they honor themselves to be a family of pure blood. Draco makes remarks about both his parents being powerful wizards eliciting a high status. In the wizardry realm, it has become uncommon for the occurrence of pure-blood families. Thus making the Malfoys faux royalty. Rowling makes notes that there are more Muggle-born and half-blood families than purebloods. Draco insults Hermonie by calling her a “mud blood”. A crude word used to describe someone who comes from muggle parents, with no connection to magic. Rowling illustrates a blood status amongst the realms, showing an underlying power. As someone of Draco’s status, he would look down upon Hermonie. Placing those of purebloods at the top, ruling over the others sought unworthy of their presence in the wizard community. Rowling conveys pure blood as royalty, the bourgeoise. She views them as superior and generally better people. The Malforys have been proven to be powerful and resourceful, but not good people. Even though the Weasly family is also a pure-blood family, they are still sought down by the Malfoys due to their socioeconomic status.
When reaching Hogwarts they see the enormous victorian style castle across the lake. Upon walking the steps of the school they are sorted into their houses from the sorting hat. The houses include Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. Ravenclaw is those most notably who are academic scholars and studious. Hufflepuff represents kindhearted individuals and values the arts. Slytherin is known for its dark arts and potions. The former house of the infamous evil wizard Voldemort. Then Gryffindor for the noble and brave at heart. Draco, to no surprise, is placed in Slytherin. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Neville accompany all the Weasley brothers in Gryffindor.
Rowling uses the houses as symbols for those categorized in the archetypes. Ravenclaw does not make as large an introduction in the first book, but will later on in the series, yet their symbol is a Raven. Ravens are known to be watchers and observers. Hufflepuff’s symbol is a badger as they are perceived to be loyal and honest individuals. Similar to Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff will make more of an appearance later in the series. As for Slytherin, their symbol is a snake. Snake’s service has a motif through the narrative, more of an insight warning and reminder of Voldermort’s presence. Snakes are known to be slimy serpents, similar to those in the house. Voldemort himself has snake-like qualities, and we later learn that both he and Harry share the ability to speak parseltongue meaning they can talk to snakes. Then Gryffindor’s symbol is a lion. Lions symbolize bravery and courage. Through these traits, we can see a pattern start to form thanks to Rowling. Gryffindor represents fire, Hufflepuff as Earth, Ravenclaw as Air, leaving Slytherin represents water. As each house symbolizes the four classical elements through the house colors and personality traits among members.
The use of the houses in the wizardry world evokes marxism ideals. They are shuffled into places and told to follow their leader to maintain order in their society. Showing how within the school itself, there are class structures foreshadowing struggles to come. Rowling shows that in this ideal society, they have maintained order. Although that is shown to be false through the fights between Draco and Harry. Draco represents Slytherin, where they are infamously known for their Pure Blood house. Harry, and other half-blood wizards, are part of the proletariat class compared to Draco in the bourgeoisie. His contrasting badgering and belittling of those not in the Slytherin house is an example of his attempts to maintain his high status in Slytherin.
Rowling creates class structures within the school, thus creating competition between them following the subplot struggles. As each of the houses fights for the house cup at the end of the year, they are fighting for social status. As mentioned, Slytherin has won in the recent year showing another factor to Draco’s arrogance towards his classmates. One of the subplots included by Rowling is the struggle between Gryffindor and Slytherin. They are shown as the dominant houses compared to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. They are hardly ever mentioned in the book and are sought less than the other houses. The lack of representation conveys that they are hardworking but lack courage. Connecting to the theme of the conflict between the establishment and the rising class. In the class struggle, Gryffindor represents the proletariat class with Slytherin as the bourgeois.
As we follow the three students through their battles against the evil Voldemort, another example of Marxism prevails. The infamous dark arts wizard, Voldermort, looms over the students as their impending nemesis. Voldemort’s dominion reigns over the whole wizardry realm, not just Hogwarts. As the bourgeois exploits power over the proletariat class, Voldemort is a prime example of this ideology. Fear of Voldemort runs rampant throughout the realm. Not even referring to him by his name, as it is believed to give him power, evoked the moniker of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. In the destined rivalry between Harry and Voldemort, Harry represents the wizards oppressed by Voldemort’s dominion and leads the charge against his actions throughout the series.
Rowling creates a society in a magical world, thought to be a utopia proved to be inaccurate. The world, unlike our own, has shown many signs of class struggles through marxism. Illustrating an underlying blood status that equates to the worth of the wizard community, the socioeconomic struggles the Weaslys face against the Malfoys, as well as the class division amongst the houses at Hogwarts consist of a constant theme supporting the ideology. The book goes beyond the idea of Good vs. Evil, expanding the destined rivalry between Harry and Voldemort, and builds a world with a multitude of layers beneath with rising conflicts.
Maya Young 