I’ve managed to make my way back into the college classroom – only this time, I don’t have to be present, turn in assignments, or take tests. Richard Priggie, professor at Augustana College, has selected my book, Harry Potter and Imagination: The Way Between Two Worlds, as well as John Granger’s book, The Deathly Hallows Lectures, as required texts for his undoubtedly fascinating class, “The Postmodern World of Harry Potter.” I’ll be speaking to the class via some form of live audio or video chat, and Mr. Granger will be traveling to the campus to guest lecture in person.
I’m guessing many reading this would enjoy taking that class. How about offering it a contribution? Prof Priggie is in need of additional suggestions for topics to be selected by students for a major paper.
The following is the rubric for the paper:
1.It must be a controversial issue, that is, an issue in the Potter books about which reasonable commentators could disagree and/or have disagreed.
2.Because students must identify at least six “conversation partners,” the issue must be one that has been written about or talked about in an online conversation such as thehogshead.org or hogwartsprofessor.com.
3.The issue must be substantial enough that it merits treatment in 8-10 double-spaced pages.
4.Students must be able to address places in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows where the controversy they choose is raised.
And here is the list of topics at present. Try to follow this format of dichotomous statements in your suggestions. Any ideas you can add to this list will be greatly appreciated!
1. “Although Harry grows up a bit, he is essentially a static character…His heroism seems to depend on chance and inheritance.” (Ostry)/ Harry “is put through a refining process” in which he was “torn down and rebuilt into the hero the Wizarding World really needed.” (Prinzi)
2. JK Rowling breaks no new ground in her treatment of racism; her books are “conservative tomes for conservative times.” (Armitstead, Zipes, Ostry)/ The novels present a sophisticated understanding of the dynamics of racism and are instructive in showing alternatives to racism.
3. Women in the Potter books are generally weaker or more minor characters/JK Rowling is a feminist writer.
4. Severus Snape is a hero/ Severus Snape is not a hero.
5. Voldemort is evil/ Voldemort is Harry’s “shadow” which Harry must own and turn toward the good.
6. The books intend no moral lessons/ Nevertheless, morals are drawn.
7. The books are anti-Christian/ They are “the church’s greatest missed opportunity…”
8. It is impossible to understand the novels apart from understanding postmodernism/None of the major themes in the books is essentially postmodern.
9. Harry’s story is a powerful demonstration of the importance of choice or free will in shaping our lives/Harry’s story demonstrates the influence of fate upon the course of our lives. Or, another way of saying the same thing…
10. Harry is “The Chosen One.”/ Harry is “One who has Chosen.”
11. Working for “the greater good” of others is a prideful aim./Working for “the greater good of others” is a productive aim.
12. “The subject of the Harry Potter series is power.” (Acocella)/ “This series is about death more than anything else.” (Prinzi)
13. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry is a model educational institution/ Kids don’t learn anything in Hogwarts classe
14. Books are powerful, transformative, and dangerous/You can’t learn anything from books.
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I have a lot of pretty basic ideas, but you/the student could develop them. I think this is the best one.
-The students at Hogwarts miss out on basic Muggle education such as Shakespeare and mathmatics.
I like #10 (#9)
How about:
Professor Dumbledore is a powerful, wise and compassionate leader who guides Harry to the right way even from beyond the grave / Professor Dumbledore is a flawed character who deceives and manipulates Harry in order to meet his own ends.
The Deathly Hallows have a unique and meaningful purpose in the development of the storyline / the Deathly Hallows are a last-minute plot device which the author brings in to reach her pre-ordained story objectives.
The author has admitted that she was suprised by the popularity of Severus Snape: The author did not intend for the character of Severus Snape to become a compelling character in the manner of an anti-hero. His popularity was mainly a function of the readers’ own expectations and wishes. / The author deliberately developed the character of Severus Snape to be a complex and intriguing character. The surprise she expresses is either playful or disingenuous.
How about:
The major theme in Deathly Hallows is about Harry’s and Voldemort’s struggle with death/the major theme in Deathly Hallows is about Harry’s struggle to believe and his faith.
Prof. Priggie’s course sounds really interesting. I think he was at NIU, I wish I would have gotten the chance to talk to him now. Maybe, I’ll try to go to Auggie when John’s down to listen if he’d let me go since my wife made comments after NIU she wishes she could have heard John’s and Travis’ speeches, so she could understand everything I ramble on about.
Michael Gambon’s casting as Dumbledore was inspired. He brings a nuanced & intriguing portrayal to the character that we’ve not seen before, adding depth & mystery to the character./Gambon’s casting was the worst casting choice ever. His buffoonish portrayal of Dumbledore & seeming lack of insight into the character’s personality or motivations has destroyed the credibility of one of the most important characters in the story.
And now for something completely different: I think a debate on the nature of canon & authorial statements would be very fruitful ground for a paper. Goodness knows a student could get a lot of research & preliminary outlines done just by reading our discussions here & at Hogpro’s. I think this topic would apply to a paper in this class because this issue has been very prominent in regards to the Harry Potter series. But that would be up to the professor to decide.
revgeorge, lots of room for debate with your first suggestion there.
Second suggestion is not as contentious as the first one (insert sneering emoticon here) but still has a lot of possibilities.
Not as contentious? I thought we had lots of contention on it when we were discussing it. But yes, certainly not as contentious as the first one.
I just couldn’t help it.
I was trying to be sarcastic. Not very successfully, I fear.
Let me try again.
For me the outcome of the first one is a foregone conclusion (although I realize that there are people out there who still root for him). The second one would generate a lot of debate, especially in a course which has the word “postmodern” in its title. Heck, I could debate the different positions all by myself, having shifted my perspective over time and still not being sure where I stand on that one.
Rocker, I figured out your sarcasm halfway through my response but was just too lazy to change it.
Yes, the second one in a postmodern setting would certainly be very exhaustive. I pity the poor student who might choose it though.
I have a difficult time framing debates in these dichotomous ways. I would ask a few questions this way:
1) What type(s) of knowledge are primarily valued in the story? Is Harry taught an idealist kind of knowledge? Or is he taught a pragmatic kind of knowledge?
2) Snape is the most compelling antagonist of the series / Voldemort is the most compelling antagonist.
3) What are the consequences of the segregation between Muggle and Wizard worlds?
Dave, your #2 is excellent because it can lead to the dichotomy that Red Rocker setup about Snape. Just brings up how complex character he is.
As far as controversial topics, what about the enslavement/oppression of House Elves with no real resolution at the end of Deathly Hallows? Views in the “wizarding world” usually fall under one of three categories:
1.) Direct Involvement – Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange
2.) Complacency – Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, Rubeus Hagrid
3.) Welfarism – Albus Dumbledore, Helga Hufflepuff
4.) Abolitionism – Hermione Granger
Dobby, for instance, is given the hero’s treatment. On the other hand, at the end of the Second War, Harry just wants Kreacher to fetch him a sandwich. And why is it that House Elves
I meant four categories. I really can count, no joke. I’m Chinese and all.
Very interesting subject, TJ. Your classification of the four stances towards slavery is not easily translated into dichotomies, but here are a few suggestions:
Harry Potter and his friends are opposed to slavery as represented by the condition of the House Elves / Harry Potter and his friends are complacent about the institution of slavery as represented by the condition of the House Elves
or:
While many of the protagonists of the series are opposed to the cruel treatment of House Elves, they appear to accept with complacency the institution of slavery itself / Many of the protagonists of the series are opposed to the institution of slavery and attempt to fight it, either directly (e.g. through freeing slaves) or indirectly (raising awareness)
Another variation on TJ’s idea could branch from Travis’s Fabian thesis, that Rowling is arguing in favor of gradual social change instead of radical revolution/upheaval. Does the text provide a compelling enough argument to show its merits? Or does the seeming lack of resolution to the house-elf question sink the idea?
How about:
Ron and Hermione are “sidekicks” who only serve to aide Harry’s mission/Ron and Hermione are crutial to Harry’s growth and development and are essential characters of their own accord.
I wanted to mention that I also really like #9/#10 and would love to see the debate/papers on it!
You guys have some great topics!
Ron Weasley’s main function as a character is to provide comic relief as a side kick to the hero, in the tradition of Sancho Panza, Dr. Watson, Col. Hastings, and Barnacle Boy / Ron Weasley fulfills a number of minor dramatic functions in his role as side kick to the hero, including acting as a sounding board (like Horatio), providing a bridge to the reality of the everyday world (like Leperello), and replicating his quest (like Sam Gamgee).
Or try:
Romantic love is a positive force in the world of Harry Potter / Romantic love is the source of most of the conflict and destruction in the world of Harry Potter
Snape’s resolution is satisfying
Snape’s resolution is unsatisfying
King’s Cross is something Harry imagined while knocked unconscious by Voldemort’s AK / Harry did not imagine King’s Cross – it really happened.
Harry Potter/Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Mythic/Alchemical symbolism within the story is a promotional tool to lead youth into the real world of Wicca/Witchcraft;
Harry Potter/Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Mythic/Alchemical symbolism within the story is a synopsis into J. K. Rowling’s worldview/ her search (seeker) as a youth leading to Christian beliefs/ her study of the Literary Classics and language/the death of her mother/the search for answers to life after death/the power of Love over prejudice, intolerance, class envy/the strength and comfort in friends and friendship in the midst of trials and loss.
How about ethics in the treatment of Magical Creatures? Both sides of WizWorld use Magical Creatures for their own benefit. And there’s ambiguity as well, because the Ministry uses Dementors. Are the Dementors inherently evil? Or is their natural soul-sucking bent harnessed for political expediency?
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