Harry Potter and the Goblet

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Few authors have taken the biblio-world by storm, like J.K. Rowling and her creation, Harry Potter. Controversial because of the portrayal of witchcraft and other sensitive issues, such as child abuse, this children's series has attracted a following to rival even Tolkein's Ring Trilogy. However, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is not just a superb addition to children's fantasy literature, but a novel filled with social commentary from the present and the past.

At first glance, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire looks to be another fine example of quality children's fictional literature. There is a well-crafted story, with incredibly detailed characters. and, the adventure reaches epic proportions. All of these are components of excellent fantasy literature.

Rowling has filled Harry Potter's world with fantastical things. Magic and spells, witches and wizards, beasts that are scary and beasts that are lovable, all create the world of wonder that draws children to her work. it's a world where anything can happen, and anything usually does.

On top of all the adventure and magic, literally, interspersed through the pages of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, children also are given a sense of hope. They see Harry, an unassuming boy, as the hero. Here is a child who grew up in an mentally abusive and physically neglected household, where his parents were killed when he was a baby, and yet, he is finds out that not only is he a wizard, with powers beyond those of his horrible relatives, but also the savior of the wizarding world. it's the type of underdog story that children love, because they see that although the world's not fair, there is still hope that things will be all right.

However, when one looks beyond the surface of this charming children's tale, it becomes clear that this is not just a children's fantasy novel, but also a social commentary from the present and the past. In Goblet of Fire, one of the lead characters, Hermione Granger, an intelligent young lady who happens to be one of Harry's best friends, learns that at their school they utilize creatures called House Elves. House Elves are sentient beings who are magically bound to the family members they serve. The whole scenario echoes slavery in the Antebellum South.

The House Elves must serve their master until they die. They breed slave children who continue to serve these wealthiest of wizarding families, just like historic slavery. and, they are forced to wear items like tea towels, as opposed to real clothing; much like the gunnysack cloth slaves were often forced to wear because they were not given adequate clothing.

These magical slaves have a power within them, and they are quite numerous. In fact, there are over a hundred in the wizard school, Hogwarts, which Harry attends with his friends. Yet, most don't seek their freedom. One House Elf, Dobby, is an exception. Harry secured his freedom from his master by trickery, and the Elf is now receiving small wages for his work at Hogwarts. However, he is seen as a bit of a pariah by the other House Elves, because of his free status, and tries to keep a low profile. The whole situation is reminiscent of slavery, in America.

The story continues and Hermione decides to champion the equal rights cause of House Elves. Instead of really learning what the House Elves want and how best to serve their interests, she barrels into the process. House Elves are freed from their masters when they receive an actual article of clothing from him or her. Hermione goes and hides hats around their dormitory common room, in an effort to trick the House Elves into accepting freedom. The House Elves are insulted by the gesture, rather than welcoming it, and refuse to clean the common room, for fear of being tricked into freedom.

This scenario is a fictional account of what happens when many do-gooders try to right the social wrongs they perceive. When gone about the wrong way, the whole thing backfires on those who were only trying to help.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire also details the struggles of the classes, which is a universal lesson for humanity. There are the pure-blooded families in the wizarding world, who, for the most part, see themselves as superior to all those whose blood has been tainted. Right out of World War II, some of these pure-blooded families have become obsessed with purity of blood, to the extent that they are willing to murder any and all who aren't pure, as they are. and, just as Hitler was far from the Arian ideal he professed, the leader of these maniacal pure-blooded wizards is a half-blood himself.

Of course there are the exceptions to the rule, in Harry's world, just as there are in society in the real world. One pure-blooded family, the Weasleys, are looked down upon by the other pure-blooded families as they mix and mingle with those of impure blood. In fact, it's implied that the father of the family, Arthur Weasley, has been forced to stay at his lowly post within the government due to his support of those with impure blood.

This can definitely be compared with the society bluebloods of the real world, who intermarry and socialize with only the right people. This hierarchy, of elite members, secures their station in life, at birth, and snubs their noises at those below them.

Perhaps the most direct attack on a facet of society, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, comes with a character by the name of Rita Skeeter. Rita Skeeter is a reporter for the popular wizarding news paper, the Daily Prophet. Skeeter's journalistic style is a direct jab at the biased media of today.

Skeeter begins by manipulating young Harry. She whisks him into a broom closet and begins to interview him. Instead of writing down exactly what Harry is telling her, she embellishes on everything he says, to the point that much of the article comes out being material that was never discussed and hadn't happened, but made it a much more interesting read.

In society today, we find this happening with the media all the time. They often twist and turn the words and actions of a person, to make the story much more juicy than it really is, all in the name of sales! and, rarely do they care who they hurt in the process. The juicier the story, the better.