Multi-Genre Notes
Research Paper
I decided to write my research paper on the social commentary in Harry Potter, because I found it interesting that JK Rowling writes about moral issues which can affect an entire generation's perception on life. The morality of the twenty-first century, which for the most part encourages diversity and critical thinking, can in part be accounted for by the Harry Potter series of which children read throughout their lives and which taught them critical lessons about good and evil. I was interested in how many of my moral judgments I could trace back to lessons which are also enforced in JK Rowling's novels, and I was pleasantly surpriesd. The books, whilst also bringing me a great source of pleasure through reading, also were good influences on my judgments.
I decided to write my research paper on the social commentary in Harry Potter, because I found it interesting that JK Rowling writes about moral issues which can affect an entire generation's perception on life. The morality of the twenty-first century, which for the most part encourages diversity and critical thinking, can in part be accounted for by the Harry Potter series of which children read throughout their lives and which taught them critical lessons about good and evil. I was interested in how many of my moral judgments I could trace back to lessons which are also enforced in JK Rowling's novels, and I was pleasantly surpriesd. The books, whilst also bringing me a great source of pleasure through reading, also were good influences on my judgments.
Character Letters
I wrote my character letters from the perspective of the characters Remus Lupin - a Werewolf suffering from Lycanthropy - and the Metamorphmagus character Nymphadora Tonks, who fall in love but face issues due to the discrimination in the Wizarding World of Werewolves. I felt that the torn emotions of the two lovers would reflect my research paper, as in the paper I speak about how Remus Lupin is strategically placed in the Harry Potter series as a reflection of prejudice and discrimination, and how it can affect the lives of those that suffer with it. Because Remus is discriminated against, he feels that he cannot be with the woman that he loves because he wants a better life for her. He feels that if Tonks was with him, he would not be able to support her or make her happy as he is constantly moving around the country and can barely find a job due to his affliction.
I wrote my character letters from the perspective of the characters Remus Lupin - a Werewolf suffering from Lycanthropy - and the Metamorphmagus character Nymphadora Tonks, who fall in love but face issues due to the discrimination in the Wizarding World of Werewolves. I felt that the torn emotions of the two lovers would reflect my research paper, as in the paper I speak about how Remus Lupin is strategically placed in the Harry Potter series as a reflection of prejudice and discrimination, and how it can affect the lives of those that suffer with it. Because Remus is discriminated against, he feels that he cannot be with the woman that he loves because he wants a better life for her. He feels that if Tonks was with him, he would not be able to support her or make her happy as he is constantly moving around the country and can barely find a job due to his affliction.
Diary Entry from Character
I decided to write a Diary Entry from the character of Severus Snape, as he is one of the most complex characters of the Harry Potter series. Although portrayed for the majority of the books as an Antagonistic character, Snape is fundamentally good at heart due to the love that he feels for Harry Potter's Mother, Lily Evans. His story is heartbreaking, and I enjoyed retelling it through the method of the Diary Entry. Snape relates to the Social Commentary of the Harry Potter series as he is caught up in the racist system of The Dark Lord. He ends up working as a spy for the 'good' side of Albus Dumbledore and The Order of The Phoenix, showing intense bravery and also proving that you should be weary of your prejudices against people. Harry was prejudiced against Snape all of his life, believing him to be a Dark Wizard despite Albus Dumbledore's persistent pleas for Harry to trust him. Whilst Harry believed him to be Dark because Snape did not appear to like him, Snape was actually saving his life. Personal Prejudice leads to blindness of reality.
I decided to write a Diary Entry from the character of Severus Snape, as he is one of the most complex characters of the Harry Potter series. Although portrayed for the majority of the books as an Antagonistic character, Snape is fundamentally good at heart due to the love that he feels for Harry Potter's Mother, Lily Evans. His story is heartbreaking, and I enjoyed retelling it through the method of the Diary Entry. Snape relates to the Social Commentary of the Harry Potter series as he is caught up in the racist system of The Dark Lord. He ends up working as a spy for the 'good' side of Albus Dumbledore and The Order of The Phoenix, showing intense bravery and also proving that you should be weary of your prejudices against people. Harry was prejudiced against Snape all of his life, believing him to be a Dark Wizard despite Albus Dumbledore's persistent pleas for Harry to trust him. Whilst Harry believed him to be Dark because Snape did not appear to like him, Snape was actually saving his life. Personal Prejudice leads to blindness of reality.
Timeline of Author's Life
I decided to complete a Timeline of JK Rowling's life in order to show us the life experiences that Joanne has had, which could go on to explain some of the aspects of her novels and the social commentary which reside within them. For example, Jo's beloved Mother died of Multiple Sclerosis when Joanne was young. This could explain why Jo chose to write about those who are disabled/discriminated in society, through the means of Remus Lupin. Furthermore, Joanne once fell into a deep depression, and this could be portrayed through the creation of the characters of Dementors, which suck the soul out of individuals leaving them alive but unable to function. Finally, I wrote the Timeline to accentuate the significance of Rowling's works. She is a highly successful Author; her works have been read and enjoyed by a generation, and therefore have influenced a generation's creativity, imagination and ways of thinking - as well as maybe their morality.
I decided to complete a Timeline of JK Rowling's life in order to show us the life experiences that Joanne has had, which could go on to explain some of the aspects of her novels and the social commentary which reside within them. For example, Jo's beloved Mother died of Multiple Sclerosis when Joanne was young. This could explain why Jo chose to write about those who are disabled/discriminated in society, through the means of Remus Lupin. Furthermore, Joanne once fell into a deep depression, and this could be portrayed through the creation of the characters of Dementors, which suck the soul out of individuals leaving them alive but unable to function. Finally, I wrote the Timeline to accentuate the significance of Rowling's works. She is a highly successful Author; her works have been read and enjoyed by a generation, and therefore have influenced a generation's creativity, imagination and ways of thinking - as well as maybe their morality.
Dream Cast: Marauders
The addition of a Dream Cast of Marauders was a purely selfish addition on my part. My favorite characters of the entire series have to be the complex characters of the Marauders - a group of friends who created the Marauder's Map which helped them to get up to mischief during their days at Hogwarts! There's James Potter, named Prongs due to his animagus form of a Stag, Remus Lupin, nicknamed Moony due to his Lycanthropy, Sirius Black, Padfoot due to his animagus form of a Shaggy Dog, and Peter Pettigrew, who went by the nickname Wormtail as his animagus form was a rat. The betrayal of Peter Pettigrew, the death of James Potter and the imprisonment of Sirius Black go on to become significant elements of the story. Also included in my slideshow are the characters of Severus Snape, a man bullied by the Marauders, and Lily Evans - a Muggleborn Witch who is loved by Snape, yet decides to start dating James Potter instead. Lily and James go on to be Harry Potter's parents, Remus Harry's Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Sirius Harry's Godfather, Snape Harry's Potion's Master - and Peter Pettigrew a cowardly Death Eater.
The addition of a Dream Cast of Marauders was a purely selfish addition on my part. My favorite characters of the entire series have to be the complex characters of the Marauders - a group of friends who created the Marauder's Map which helped them to get up to mischief during their days at Hogwarts! There's James Potter, named Prongs due to his animagus form of a Stag, Remus Lupin, nicknamed Moony due to his Lycanthropy, Sirius Black, Padfoot due to his animagus form of a Shaggy Dog, and Peter Pettigrew, who went by the nickname Wormtail as his animagus form was a rat. The betrayal of Peter Pettigrew, the death of James Potter and the imprisonment of Sirius Black go on to become significant elements of the story. Also included in my slideshow are the characters of Severus Snape, a man bullied by the Marauders, and Lily Evans - a Muggleborn Witch who is loved by Snape, yet decides to start dating James Potter instead. Lily and James go on to be Harry Potter's parents, Remus Harry's Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Sirius Harry's Godfather, Snape Harry's Potion's Master - and Peter Pettigrew a cowardly Death Eater.
Interactive Polls
I decided to use my Interactive Polls in order to help me with my research. For example, by learning which Hogwarts house people prefer, I can learn which character traits they value the most and perhaps link this to some of the moral lessons of which JK Rowling provides within her series. I also decided to add in the question based on which book they preferred from the series, as each book of the series deals with different moral lessons and so from learning which they preferred I can see which lesson hit people the most, and perhaps made a profound difference on their lives and morality.
I decided to use my Interactive Polls in order to help me with my research. For example, by learning which Hogwarts house people prefer, I can learn which character traits they value the most and perhaps link this to some of the moral lessons of which JK Rowling provides within her series. I also decided to add in the question based on which book they preferred from the series, as each book of the series deals with different moral lessons and so from learning which they preferred I can see which lesson hit people the most, and perhaps made a profound difference on their lives and morality.
Obituary
The Obituary I placed on my website is actually an Obituary which appears within Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In it, the character of Elphias Doge discusses the great Albus Dumbedore. I decided to include the Obituary as Elphias discusses Albus as an almost God-like entity, and through the character of Dumbledore we explore the positive and negative aspects of every person's character, even those who are seen as inherently good. For example, although Albus received this glowing Obituary by his friend Elphias, others, such as Bathilda Bagshot, had other memories of him due to his previous relationship with the dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald, which culminated in the death of Albus' sister as Albus duelled with his brother Aberforth and his love Grindelwald. Power turned Albus dark, and although he achieved many great things after his mishap his negative character traits should not have been ignored by Elphias in his Obituary.
The Obituary I placed on my website is actually an Obituary which appears within Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In it, the character of Elphias Doge discusses the great Albus Dumbedore. I decided to include the Obituary as Elphias discusses Albus as an almost God-like entity, and through the character of Dumbledore we explore the positive and negative aspects of every person's character, even those who are seen as inherently good. For example, although Albus received this glowing Obituary by his friend Elphias, others, such as Bathilda Bagshot, had other memories of him due to his previous relationship with the dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald, which culminated in the death of Albus' sister as Albus duelled with his brother Aberforth and his love Grindelwald. Power turned Albus dark, and although he achieved many great things after his mishap his negative character traits should not have been ignored by Elphias in his Obituary.
Newspaper Article
The Newspaper Article I used on this page is an extract from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I chose the artefact because it directly relates to the concept of discrimination, which I discuss in my research paper. Hagrid is driven into hiding by this scathing article written by Rita Skeeter, as he believes that he will have to leave his home at Hogwarts because people are prejudiced against those with giant blood. Hagrid, by contrast to his giant blood-relations, is gentle and kind despite his size and a great friend to Harry. Hagrid's reaction to the article evokes sympathy from a reader, because they know that Rita's accusations are untrue and that Hagrid does not deserve to have his personal life opened for the entirety of the Wizarding World to read. This also relates to corruption within the media. Rita has written many things in the past that were irrelevant to truly important issues in the Wizarding World, and that are meant to hurt those targeted towards and not benefit the reader in any way. Many media outlets use this technique in order to hurt those that they don't like in the contemporary day, or to distract from a wider issue.
The Newspaper Article I used on this page is an extract from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I chose the artefact because it directly relates to the concept of discrimination, which I discuss in my research paper. Hagrid is driven into hiding by this scathing article written by Rita Skeeter, as he believes that he will have to leave his home at Hogwarts because people are prejudiced against those with giant blood. Hagrid, by contrast to his giant blood-relations, is gentle and kind despite his size and a great friend to Harry. Hagrid's reaction to the article evokes sympathy from a reader, because they know that Rita's accusations are untrue and that Hagrid does not deserve to have his personal life opened for the entirety of the Wizarding World to read. This also relates to corruption within the media. Rita has written many things in the past that were irrelevant to truly important issues in the Wizarding World, and that are meant to hurt those targeted towards and not benefit the reader in any way. Many media outlets use this technique in order to hurt those that they don't like in the contemporary day, or to distract from a wider issue.
Wanted Posters
The Wanted Posters link directly to the comparisons which JK Rowling makes between the Wizarding War and the Second World War. The Posters incriminate Harry Potter as an undesirable in a way which shows the corruption of the media by a government unsuited to rule, like when Germany was ruled by Hitler. Furthermore, the Wanted Posters also show genuine criminals such as Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange - showing that true justice came when the right people overthrew a corrupt government and took over control for themselves, in the case of Kingsley Shacklebolt becoming the new Minister for Magic after Voldemort was defeated.
The Wanted Posters link directly to the comparisons which JK Rowling makes between the Wizarding War and the Second World War. The Posters incriminate Harry Potter as an undesirable in a way which shows the corruption of the media by a government unsuited to rule, like when Germany was ruled by Hitler. Furthermore, the Wanted Posters also show genuine criminals such as Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange - showing that true justice came when the right people overthrew a corrupt government and took over control for themselves, in the case of Kingsley Shacklebolt becoming the new Minister for Magic after Voldemort was defeated.