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The Magic of Harry Potter

With the newest book in the Harry Potter universe coming out soon, and considering the new movie "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" entering theatres in November, discuss the different ways in which the Harry Potter universe has attracted millions of fans. Consider the writing style of the books, the movies, the theme parks, and all of the things that make Harry Potter what it is today. Discuss where you expect the wizarding world to go, and how it has impacted our world.

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    The Harry Potter Series and its Relation to Terrorism

    In J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed series, there is a clear separation between good and evil. The reader is aligned with Hogwarts and the ‘good’ wizards, and Voldemort and his followers are clearly characterized as evil. Dementors and Death Eaters are continuously attempting to invade the walls of Hogwarts, and are willing to kill anyone who gets in their way of securing power. If J.K. Rowling drew upon World War II for the series, can that view be shifted to how the series can now be read in relation to terrorism? Analyze the ways in which Death Eaters resemble terrorist organizations. What does this say about our culture? How can we learn from the series using this lens?

    • As an idea the Death Eaters exemplify terrorism but at it's core it's really hard to say/argue. I feel like they are the embodiment of terror because the books make it a little too easy for us to see them as people. They don't get character development, like Bellatrix a lot of them come off as just wanting to watch the world burn. On that note, there is always Draco. A good angle this article could take is: Draco Malfoy helping people sympathize with children in radical families. Death Eaters aren't brainwashed by religion like modern day terrorists but as the books point out in a lot of cases they are pressured into it, feeling like they have no other choice, and that it's submit to Voldemort or die. – Slaidey 8 years ago
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    • Are you aiming to explore Death Eaters as "weapons" or terror as as state sanctioned vehicle to spread fear of terrorism or a way to control it. It might be a more effective argument to take Death Easters as weapons of fear and control, given that they are operated under the "state power" which in this case would be the ministry. For example as one of the comments above has suggested here, Death Eaters are clearly not brainwashed but rather, it is their nature and function to spread fear. – aferozan 8 years ago
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    • I'm actually going to go ahead and take this topic up. It seems like an interesting topic to discuss. It's pretty well established that Rowling drew inspiration from the Nazis, but puritan ideology exists even today, and future generations may look back at this series, coming as terrorism becomes a real problem in the world, and may very well assume that was its inspiration. – Adnan Bey 8 years ago
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    • Looking forward to this article Adnan. – Munjeera 8 years ago
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    • There's a pretty interesting (and amusing) video that Cracked made a couple of years ago that might shed some light on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz88P6tL9wc – ProtoCanon 8 years ago
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    • Cant wait to read this! – Alexander 8 years ago
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    A look at how Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, fits into American History and Native American culture

    There has been a lot of debate over the newest installment in the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, particularly from the Native American community. This is shocking to a lot of people, mainly the hardcore Harry Potter fandom who eagerly await the movie. Most fans are unsure whether this dissent from the Native American community is valid. A well-written article should address both sides of the argument and clearly lay out the issue.

    Rowling recently released the house mascots of her new American Wizarding school. These mascots are based off of mythological animals in Native American culture. They are: The Horned Serpent, The Thunderbird, The Wampus and the Pukwudgie. These ‘fantastic beasts’ are steeped in traditional Native oral histories and I think it could be fun to delve into their stories and examine what they mean to Native culture.

    • This seems like a very interesting topic. As an aid Harry Potter fan myself, I would absolutely love to take this article up. But, I think I'd hold off until I've actually watched the movie. In my opinion, this is much better written once the movie has entered the cinematic world and the official Harry Potter canon. If, by that time, this topic is still open, I'll be back. – Adnan Bey 8 years ago
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    • I agree with the above. When we've seen what place and role the 'beasts' have in the film, then there'll be much more to discuss and chew over. – J.P. Shiel 8 years ago
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    Harry Potter series: are the characters identities kept hidden?

    When it comes to the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, are the techniques used to develop the plot potentially hiding the protagonists’ fantastical identities from the rest of humanity? Also, is there a significance of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds that help explain how the characters identities are hidden throughout the series?

    • I don't see the relation between keeping the fantastic world hidden from "the rest of humanity" and the use of the techniques to develop the plot. Also, how does this relate in any way to diegetic and non-diegetic sounds? – T. Palomino 2 years ago
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    • You're talking about the movies, aren't you? Otherwise, how will sound be a factor to analyze in the books? – T. Palomino 2 years ago
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    "The Next Harry Potter"- Can it ever be true?

    For years after the success of the Harry Potter series, many new fantasy novels followed that proclaimed to be "the next Harry Potter." From Percy Jackson and the Olympians to the Inheritance series, many reviewers have compared these books to J.K. Rowling’s masterpiece but yet sales and following movie adaptions have fallen short. What elements does a book series need to catapult it to the same level of fame and can it ever be replicated?

    • Think about The Hero's Journey – CarlaJasmine 8 years ago
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    • You also should discuss the apeal the Harry Potter series has for people of all ages and look into othe books that have had wide audiences, such as The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia. These were similarly population books before Harry Potter even if they werent as widespread. – rcmmh10 8 years ago
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    • Definitely explore the time period HP skyrocketed to fame, and the books that had been doing well at that time as well. Half of success is all in demand, which hinges on time! – Juliann 8 years ago
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    • The timing of the books made a huge impact on the popularity, but fads come in waves. Eventually we will see another franchise make the same, or at least similar, cultural impact that Harry Potter did. Explore what other franchises made that impact before Harry Potter. – Joseph 8 years ago
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    • I think there is opportunity to create something similar, but its hard to compare anything to such – semelejansen 8 years ago
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