Assignment 1-4-3 - Analysis # 2 - Ritual and Stereotypes

Stereotypes:

When most people think of stereotypes in the Harry Potter series, they might refer to the common theme that the Malfoy family believes in which is that pure bloods are superior and non-purebloods are beneath them and lowly.  This stereotype leads certain characters in the series to have prejudice among each other even though they are different from regular humans who cannot perform magic like they can.   Interestingly enough in the very beginning of the series the readers are given stereotypes about the students themselves when they are being placed in their respective houses.  An example of this is the song that the sorting hat sings when describing the four houses:

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

(Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, page 117)

Each description of the houses sets the reader up with stereotypes of the characterics that the student will have depending on their house.  This depiction is then followed throughout the series.  Students in the Gryffindor house are described as being brave; Hufflepuff students are said to be loyal; the Ravenclaw house is shown to be intelligent; finally, the Slytherin house students are described being cunning which is synonymous with being evil in addition to having the books main antagonist being from the Slytherin house which does not help with their stereotype.

Ritual:

The song described above is part of an important ritual that all new students must undergo before they start school.  This represents a sort of initiation ritual that that students sometimes undergo when starting school or joining social clubs.  The book also shows that the student observe certain holidays like we do (although they are named differently) such as Halloween and Christmas.  Furthermore, they also are enthusiastic about their sports just like we are instead following their own game called Quidditch.






References:

Rowling, J. K., & GrandPré, M. (1998). Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone. New York: A.A. Levine Books.