J.K. Rowling's Use of Literary Devices to Teach Skepticism to Her Readers in Harry Potter Books

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Recommended: Character analysis of the book Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has become one of the most popular children’s series in the world over the past decade. Through these books children and young adults alike have delved into a fantastical world in which they explored the problems that their protagonist, Harry Potter, has faced. In Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the sixth book of the Harry Potter series, Harry dealt with the challenge of proving to his peers and professors that Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape were no longer trustworthy. Even so, Harry failed to realize that the author of the notes in his Advanced Potion-Making book was corrupt. In this book, J.K. Rowling uses point of view, style, and irony to demonstrate the need for people to be more analytical towards sources of authority. Through Harry Potter's interactions with Rufus Scrimgeour, Albus Dumbledore, and his Advanced Potion-Making book, Rowling shows how a lack of criticism towards one's sources of influence can lead to undesirable consequences. In doing so, Rowling demonstrates how "the more we [people] give into base instincts – base in the sense of basic and depraved – the more criminal and destructive we [they] become" (Zipes).

To begin with, Rowling uses Harry Potter’s point of view and style to portray Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic, as a deceptive man. After Scrimgeour becomes Minister of Magic, Harry notices his misleading methods of keeping up the Wizard community’s morale. Harry’s opposition of Scrimgeour’s methods intensifies after reading about the unjust arrest of Stan Shunpike. Harry does not believe the Ministry could take Stan’s playful claims seriously when Stan has the reputation of lying to impress people. Hermione responds to Harry’s confusion, “They [the Min...

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...Works Cited

"J. K. Rowling at Carnegie Hall Reveals Dumbledore is Gay; Neville Marries Hannah Abbott, and Much More - The Leaky Cauldron." Harry Potter News, Books and Films - The Leaky Cauldron. N.p., 20 Oct. 2007. Web. 9 May 2010. .

J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life. Dir. James Runcie. Perf. J. K. Rowling, James Runcie. IWC Media, 2007. DVD.

Rowling, J. K. . Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) (Hardcover). New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. , 2005. Print.

Zipes, Jack. "Jack Zipes’ “ Are fairy tales still useful to Children? | The Art of Storytelling Show." The Art of Storytelling Show with Brother Wolf. Word Press, n.d. Web. 9 May 2010. .

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