Potterversity Episode 72: Harry Potter and Identity

Why is it important to read Harry Potter critically?  Katy and Emily talk about bridging the academic and fan worlds with Dr. Julian Wamble, who teaches a course called Harry Potter and Social Identity at George Washington University. Julian's class allows students to approach complex political issues through the lens of Harry Potter, such as prison abolition based on Sirius Black's experience.When Julian started posting clips from his class online, he encountered enthusiastic discourse and debate. Hermione can be a controversial character, particularly considering her identity as a Muggle-born and her views on house-elves. The Weasleys, the Malfoys, and Severus Snape also inspire strong opinions.Julian engages with this passionate feedback in his podcast, Critical Magic Theory, for which he circulates surveys about different characters, asking provocative questions to get readers to think deeply about identity, power, and morality. Loving something doesn't mean we can't be critical of it, and Julian will explore this further in his upcoming book.