Harry Potter & Nazism. Anyone else see any links?
By maezee
@maezee (41985)
United States
December 17, 2009 4:19pm CST
OK, Not to state the obvious - but I started reading the 7th Harry Potter (JK Rowling) book earlier this week, and I had never before realized such a strong link between nazism and the holocaust and Harry Potter books! In case you're not sure what I'm talking about, I'm talking about the grudge/disdain/genocide-like hatred that Voldemort's crew has against "muggles" (non-magical humans, or "half breeds") sounds VERY (suspiciously so) similar to Hitler & the nazism's genocide of anyone who wasn't considered to be an "Aryan" (I think that's what they're called. Forgive me if I'm wrong - I haven't brushed up on my history in a while.)
I've always liked JK Rowling's writing style and imagination she uses in her books, but I never thought to pick apart the themes of the book to look for similar themes in history. Who knew?! While writing fantastic books, she also managed to throw a little bit of political subtext in the mix!
Has anyone else noticed this theme in books? Particularly those of the Harry Potter series? (And please: no spoilers! I'm only on page 50 as of yet. 
).
).3 responses
@anklesmash (1412)
•
19 Jan 10
their is another reference to hitler and nazis.Gellert Grindelwald happened to be defeated in 1945 and his regime mirored hitlers such has having prisons to lock his opponents in.
@edxcast (1168)
• Ecuador
18 Dec 09
Hi maezee
I thought that was so obvious.I read the book when it came out and yeah i did notice it(there is a certain part when it couldnt be more clear the reference to nazism and the whole hitler thing). Voldemort is the representation Hitler and all he want is the supremacy of a race(magicians-aryan) and wanted to kill all the ones that are "filthy" the muggles(jewish).
@ToughTate (143)
• United States
18 Dec 09
I don't think it pertains directly to the holocaust and Nazism, but all waves of genocidal behavior are characteristic of the same things: hatred, violence, and an overall feeling of separateness from the people they hate.
