Message of Gender
The most powerful characters in the movie series Harry Potter are Albus Dumbeldore, Harry Potter and Lord Voldermort. Although, women are also shown as powerful characters, but the emphasis is on either supporting the Dark Lord or the Order, both led by males. Therefore, the movie series Harry Potter clearly outlines men as the central characters in the film series. Even though the book is fictional and based on magical world, the message sent out from his scenario is that men are more powerful wizards. Another way to look at the film series and its relation to gender is the founders of the Hogwarts School; as two of the founders are males and two are females. This shows that being a boy and a girl were equally important, but throughout the movie the focus is on present and former students of male founders Gryffindor and Slytherin. This way, the film series unconsciously supports the primal nature of male figureheads in the films.
Throughout the movie, males are positioned as the characters whose decisions shape the story and decide the fate of other supporting characters. For example: Lord Voldermort decides the fate of several characters by either controlling or killing them. Similarly, several supporters of Harry Potter also face their demise all because they fight against another male authority for him. Physically, the film series shows the lead male characters with special powers such as the elder wand of Dumbledore and Horcruxes of Voldermort. Although, females are shown as powerful witches, but in numbers and their abilities, male members are the focus of the film series. Physically, the central characters are shown as the powerful beings that shape the story throughout all films and create factions within the magical society. Females are mere supporting characters who play a supporting role in the rise and success of male wizards they support.
Race and Social Class
Childhood, National Identity, History, Beauty and Truth
In the film series, childhood is often defined as a time for children to improve their learning and understand the importance of discipline. Hogwarts School provides the platform for students to learn about the world of magic and its history. Students are admitted to Hogwarts at a young age to teach them the importance of magic and using it in an honourable way. History is seen as another important element as the characters are main characters are driven by realizing their potential and obsessed with achieving greatness for their house and magical thought. History helps individuals to learn about the development of magical thought and provides them the opportunity to choose sides. History is also seen as a way to learn about magic and the way it has been used throughout the years. National identity is displayed in one of the movies (The Goblet of Fire), as schools from other countries visit Hogwarts for the Tri-Wizards tournament.
Violence and Aggression
Violence and aggression are seen throughout the film series as the movie engulfs a time between the end of the First Wizarding War and the end of the second Wizarding war. Aggression from the dark side starts with the First Wizarding War and divides the whole magical society into two factions. Throughout both Wars, violence is experienced throughout the timeline as people die on both sides and families are broken. Without violence and aggression, it would have been impossible for characters such as Lord Voldermort to gain power and control several wizards. Violence and aggression help the Order avenge their losses and fight back against the Voldermort and his followers to maintain peace throughout the magical world. The violence and aggression represent the power struggle between the Ministry of Magic and the dark side that wants to control the magic world and amend principles that govern the magical world and its relationship with the non-magical world.
Schooling
The film series places additional emphasis on schooling of children that are admitted to Hogwarts. Teachers are assigned for every subject that helps students to learn magic and take positions in the magical society post their graduation. Schooling is seen as the place for many students to avoid their pain and anguish of their personal life, such as Tom Riddle and Harry Potter considered it more than just school, it was their home. At Hogwarts, learning about the magical world, history, developing character, and learning discipline is focused on. Rules are developed by school for helping students understand the limits of the magical world. Life at Hogwarts School also focuses on students respecting the authority of the headmaster and teachers and managing the outside non-magical world. Learning is portrayed through competitions and medals of merit for honouring student’s performance as students. Also, character building is seen as an essential aspect of school life.
Elements of Cognition
Some of the elements of cognition that are actively seen throughout the movie are communication, reasoning, problem solving, awareness, planning, recognition, perception and judgement. The importance of communication is seen throughout the film series and viewers can learn the importance of clarifying things and past actions. For example, Professor Dumbledore guiding and teaching Harry Potter and helping him defeat the Dark Lord. Watching the movie also teaches about problem solving and working in teams, as Harry always has the support of his friends Ron and Hermione. It is through reasoning and planning that Harry manages to defeat Lord Voldermort as he knew that Elder Wand would betray the Dark Lord. Whereas, Lord Voldermort’s reasoning, judgement and perception drags him to the dark side and makes him hungry for power. Awareness always creates differences between the factions within the magical society as people are seen fighting for the dark side to ensure the blood lines remain pure.
It is very important that teachers and parents need to combine hands and make children understand that the Harry Potter film series is a work of fiction and does not represent the realities of the world. It is also important that children learn the important values taught in the movie such as love, relationships, loyalty, honesty, etc. that would ensure they grow up to become better human beings and understand the difference between good and bad. I would suggest parents to allow their children to watch these movies and ask them what they learned from the movie and the characters after each movie. Parents can ask about characters and the choices they made and understand the point of view of their children.
Conclusion
Harry Potter film series sends out a clear message in terms of gender balance as it places emphasis on male characters leading the way on both the side of the Order and the Dark Lord. Social class and Race are also portrayed through division of the society based on their bloodlines. Childhood, beauty, and history play an important role in developing the character of students. Violence and aggression shape the film series and the relationship between characters. Schooling is given additional emphasis as students are taught about the importance of learning in the classroom and the development of character. There are several elements of cognition in play in the film series ads characters and their behaviour provide several learning opportunities.
Reference
Heyman, D. (Producer). (2001-2011). Harry Potter [Motion picture]. UK: Warner Bros.
