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Ethical Themes Of Slavery In Harry Potter, By JK Rowling

Decent Essays

The fantasy novels encompassing the adventures of the protagonist Harry Potter, written by JK Rowling revolve around the themes of love, loyalty and undying friendship. Although the book is laden with examples of the above, it is not only a story of the battle between good and evil, but is filled with social and political concerns of racism or caste discrimination and slavery. Although the novel is set in a magical world it still parallels the ethical issues present in todays world. Hence through this is essay I would like to argue that JK Rowling tries to bring to our attention the ethical issues of todays world through the infamous series Harry Potter by using examples of slavery caste/racial discrimination and gender equality throughout the series.
Rowling antagonistic feeling against slavery is seen throughout the series as she portrays the houses elves service to be a “product of oppression” (LYUBANSKY 245) thereby instilling in the readers mind her claim against slavery. In order to bring this theme of slavery to the forefront she introduces the house elf Dobby in the book the Chamber of Secrets as he comes to save his “masters life.” (Chamber of secrets 14). House elves were required to be loyal and if they happen to make a mistake, they were punished severely. JK Rowling gives us an idea of how brutally they were treated when they happened to make a mistake by showing us how Dobby mutilates himself by ironing his hand and hitting his head with a study lamp (Chamber

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