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Constructing a distinct other: Harry Potter and the Enchantment of the Future
Lunds Universitet.
2007 (English)In: Anpere : Anthropological Perspectives on Religion, ISSN 1653-6355, p. 1-16Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In this article I argue that the Harry Potter series could function as a critique or commentary to the ordinary contemporary society. Rowling’s construction of the Wizard world bears resemblance to a distinct Other, which is frequently used by the tourist industry and various religious traditions. While the main purpose for the tourist industry to invoke a distinct Other lies in its promoting abilities, the religious traditions often use the distinct Other to show their ethic supremacy. The last, I believe, is the case with the Harry Potter series as well since the books promote a meritocratic, causal orientation towards the world. When arguing for a meritocratic and causal orientation towards the world, Rowling disenchants the past and enchants the future. She lets the main characters in the series conduct a crusade against participation oriented attitudes and characters. Contrary to what certain Christian groups seem to think this is by no means hostile towards religion as we find it in Northern Europe and North America. Only traditions with a participatory orientation are under attack.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
anpere.net , 2007. p. 1-16
Keywords [en]
Harry Potter, religion, popular culture
National Category
Religious Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-38737OAI: oai:DiVA.org:miun-38737DiVA, id: diva2:1417482
Available from: 2020-03-29 Created: 2020-03-29 Last updated: 2020-04-15Bibliographically approved

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Wiktorin, Pierre

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CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf