Re-Reading Harry Potter

by Gupta, Suman

• ISBN13: 9780230219571
• ISBN10: 0230219578
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-08-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

This is the first extended text-based analysis of the social and political implications of theHarry Potterphenomenon. Arguments are primarily based on close readings of the first fourHarry Potterbooks and the first two films - in other words, a 'text-to-world' method is followed. This study does not assume that the phenomenon concerns children alone, or should be lightly dismissed as a matter of pure entertainment. The amount of money, media coverage, and ideological unease involved indicates otherwise. The first part provides a survey of responses (both of general readers and critics) to theHarry Potterbooks. Some of the methodological decisions underlying this study itself are also explained here. The second part examines the presentation of certain themes, including gender, race and desire, in theHarry Potterbooks, with a view to understanding how these may impinge on social and political concerns of our world.

Author Biography

SUMAN GUPTA teaches at the Open University UK. He has written five books, the most recent of which are Corporate Capitalism and Political Philosophy (2002) and The Replication of Violence: Thoughts on International Terrorism After 11 September 2001 (2002).