Throughout the magical world of Harry Potter, the issue concerning half blood and pureblood is constantly scrutinized and debated. Pureblood or half blood? Half blood and pureblood? For some, the question simply is: Who cares? The pureblood and half blood debate has a huge effect on the series itself... Perhaps more than we care to think about.
The Effect on the Series and the Real World
Every aspect of the Harry Potter phenomena is defined, shaped by purebloods and half bloods. Every story needs a major conflict in order to hold interest. The conflict J.K. Rowling chose to create is sheer brilliance. Almost every conflict in Harry's world is centered on purebloods (who are so convinced that those who were not bred by a witch and a wizard are scum), and the half bloods (perhaps not pure wizard but open to differences). Blood mania is relative to major problems in our world today. It has the same general idea as racism, sexism, and homophobia. Perhaps it is simply a story to some, but if you think of it as being similar to the foolish closed-mindedness of some people in today's world, it'll really make you think.
Positives and Negatives
What could positively be good about those convinced they are better than others? Being the person I am, I have to find out. I must find the good and the bad of both sides. Purebloods help create a more pure race unaffected by the faults of muggles. They also hold up a certain sense of pride. On the downside, they create tension and hate. They refuse to accept those who are different, and create many problems simply because they can. Half bloods create new and interesting kinds of wizards and witches. They create a more accepting society. But, then again, they often have the faults of muggles. The muggle genes in them are sometimes so strong that wizards and witches have no idea and no sign that they actually possess magical powers. The goods, the bads, and the evils -- these qualities exist in Half bloods and purebloods alike. Finally, we come to the most important point.
Characters Effected
I will now talk about four individual characters; two who believe in pureblood values, and two who believe in half blood values.
When I mention the name 'Draco Malfoy' most people think conceited, selfish, coward, and evil. How would things be different if there was no pureblood/half blood debate? Could he have befriended Harry that day in Madam Malkin's? Would he have a better relationship with his father, Ron, or even Hermione? Would the books have interested us as much? Who knows? I am (as bad as it is) a fan of Draco simply because of his intelligence. If he had been a sweet, kind, young man, I might not have enjoyed reading about him as much as I do. Another interesting character is Lord Voldemort. Though the pureblood/half blood debate would have had absolutely no effect on his hate of muggles and half bloods (his Muggle father abandoned his mother when he found out she was a witch) his ideas may have not gained as much support as they did.
Now on to the motivation behind the books... Harry. His parents. Would they still be alive had Salazar Slytherin's ideas not had so much support in the wizarding world? The real question is: would Harry be happy? It's seen in the Order of the Phoenix that he's slightly emotionally distraught. He's lost his parents, watched his friend die and was helpless, and then lost Sirius. Would his parents being there have made a difference. I think it would have made a huge difference. Harry would have been happy in book five if not for more than a day. Think about it. Hermione, a shockingly intelligent girl who is STILL looked down on simply because her parents fell in love... Where would she be? Would she be in Gryffindor or would she be in Ravenclaw? Perhaps had she not been seen as a "mudblood," she could have been friends or more (I'm not stupid, I hear the rumors) with Draco... In which case both Emma fans and Tom fans would have been very upset! But, I'm getting off topic. The topic is: how different would our (the fans, the readers, the movie goers, the fanatics) opinions be without the purebloods and half bloods?
Conclusion
I'm a dork, I'll admit, but it makes me really think about my life and how much effect the Harry Potter series has on it when I think of a wizarding world without half bloods and purebloods, and how different the series would be without snobby, cruel Draco, fiery, smart, half blood Hermione, parentless but amazingly brave Harry, and evil, pureblood mania leader Tom Riddle. In conclusion, our beliefs, websites, fan clubs, chat rooms, and lives would be completely different. I personally am relieved at the conflict the remarkable Jo Rowling created. |
User reviews
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| Keith Burner |
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| 2006.05.31 |
Though I think you are right,I think it's important to point out that the p...
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| Slytherin Obbsesser |
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| 2006.02.08 |
Jessi, your whole idea is amazing. I agree with you in every way possible! ...
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| mrs.potter07' |
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| 2005.11.24 |
Jessi, your review has really got me thinking. I agree. I actually am ...
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| Neville Fan |
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| 2005.11.23 |
I've always related the Pureblood/Halfblood debate to racism; take the Deat...
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| Fantasy Lvr |
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| 2005.07.03 |
Jessi, I think everyone here is slightly a dork to be exploring a BOOK'S fa...
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| lupinsman |
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| 2005.06.14 |
I enjoyed reading this article! I thinkthat you made some very excellent po...
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| devin |
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| 2004.12.17 |
This thought process is interesting. An angle I hadn't thought of before. ...
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