Witchcraft in Literature 101: Wonders of Magic in Harry Potter

Foreword

Witchcraft takes on many forms and perspectives in various works of literature. It finds its origins in folklore and myths, it carries the traits of gothic and horror, but it is also used in satire and comedy, and undoubtedly plays a major role in fantasy. The mystical and supernatural have always been associated with all things dark, scary, and evil. However, the representation of witches and magic has developed through time, leaving outdated stereotypes behind. The aesthetics of horror, the weird, grotesque, and everything else different from normal reality have switched from being repulsive and feared to being attractive. Eventually, witches transform into the protagonists of the story and make witchcraft seem appealing.

Witchcraft in Literature 101 will be divided into seven different chapters:

1. Witchcraft in Literature 101: Folklore Roots in The Viy

2. Witchcraft in Literature 101: Satire in The Master and Margarita

3. Witchcraft in Literature 101: Social Commentary in The Witches of Eastwick

4. Witchcraft in Literature 101: Gothic Tendencies in Lives of the Mayfair Witches

5. Witchcraft in Literature 101: Feminism in Witches Series and Good Omens

6. Witchcraft in Literature 101: Wonders of Magic in Harry Potter

7. Witchcraft in Literature 101: Retelling Mythology in Circe

Witchcraft in Literature 101: Wonders of Magic in Harry Potter

Fantasy as a genre appears unbound by the restraints of more realistic fiction and its strong associations with imagination are directly connected with the magical aspects. Literary fantasy, like any other story, is determined by its social context, and “modern fantasy is rooted in ancient myth, mysticism, folklore, fairy tale and romance” (Jackson, 1981, p. 6). These factors have brought to light the figures of magicians and all alike, changing the perspective on witchcraft and making it an essential part of the genre. "Wizards, witches, dragons" have become "standards of the genre" (Cahill, 2012). Nowadays, supernatural aspects are extremely popular in all sorts of fiction: literature, films, games, comics. However, it has not always been the case, as even in fantasy books witches have often represented the antagonists or were given only minor roles in the story. Such epic book series as The Chronicles of Narnia (1950-1956) by Clive S. Lewis, The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955) by John R. R. Tolkien, A Song of Ice and Fire (1996-) by George R. R. Martin, and His Dark Materials (1995-2000) by Philip Pullman have all heavily relied on magic and witchcraft in their stories, though, directing their main focus on the other aspects assigned to the fantasy genre, like alternative universes, otherworldly creatures, and heroic adventures. When the first book of the Harry Potter series (1997-2007) by J. K. Rowling was published, it joined other works in bringing the witches and wizards to the centre of the story. This chapter will focus on this particular positive progression, which can be seen better in relation to the previous articles of the series.

Figure 1: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort, n.d.).

J. K. Rowling (1965-) is a British author who, besides her crime fiction and adult novels, is mainly known for the Harry Potter fantasy series, consisting of the seven volumes: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets (1998), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007). The series follows Harry and his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, through their school years, thrilling adventures, and the battles against dark forces. What began as a story for kids and young adults, has since become a worldwide phenomenon: "Hundreds of millions of millennials grew up captivated by the world of the boy wizard -they read the books, attended midnight book-release parties (many dressed as the characters), watched the movies and joined the Harry Potter fan community" (Gierzynski & Eddy, 2013, p. 1). The series became a part of pop culture and transcended the fictional worlds of the movies, books and games to find expression in news blogs, recipe books and music, among others (Gierzynski & Eddy, 2013, p. 1). Furthermore, Rowling’s fascinating fantasy series has largely contributed to the change of the general view on witchcraft in media and society, inviting people of all generations to dream about becoming a witch or a wizard and just be a part of this magical world. The success of her work has had a great influence on the modern fantasy and young-adult fiction which often strive to bring the light on the topics of magic and supernatural, integrating them into the popular culture from the appealing perspective.

The major part of the books is set in Hogwarts, an ancient castle hidden in the mountains of Scotland where young witches and wizards can learn to use their magic abilities. “Magic is presented in Rowling’s novels as a craft that can be learned” in the means of controlling the physical world, and it can be fun and exciting, as much as dark and dangerous (Awung, 2003, p. 20). Through the narrative Rowling challenges multiple dogmas surrounding witchcraft, for instance, presenting magic as “an innate ability in a person” instead of power that comes “from the devil” and that can be obtained (Fredsall, 2017, p. 29). Specifically Christian beliefs assume that in order to gain supernatural powers, a witch must make a pact with Satan or even sell her soul in exchange for magic (Fredsall, 2017). Rowling's approach is significant, as it separates her imaginary world from the traditional concept of witchcraft that views any magical and occult practices from a religious perspective.

Figure 2: Advanced Potion-Making (n.d.).

Oftentimes in fiction, as it is explored in the first four parts of this series, witches are dependent on some higher being, as a demon, a spirit, or the Devil, who grants them their power, but not in Harry Potter. In the beginning of the story, Harry is an 11-year-old boy who lives with his Muggle (or non-magical) relatives and does not know that he is a wizard, until he receives a letter stating that he has been accepted into the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Rowling, 1997). In the Harry Potter universe, witches and wizards are born with magic abilities which can burst out at any moment, even if they are unaware of their gifts, because they have to learn to control their power (Fredsall, 2017). In Hogwarts, students are taught arcane arts, such as Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, Divination, and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Rowling portrays magic as “fundamentally neither good or bad”, as there are good and bad witches and wizards in the story and they can use their powers with both positive and negative intentions, and therefore magic is “rather an instrument that can be used for either” (Fredsall, 2017, p. 33). Thus, magic in Harry Potter is not an unnatural power, gained through dark rituals, but a completely normal and natural part of life.

Magic remains a major theme through the Harry Potter books where Rowling creates a unique and appealing alternative world. The Wizarding world is not a “parallel universe” in a relation to the “normal reality” in the story, but rather an “embedded world”, which is “entrenched within the Muggle world and these distinct worlds often do interact, even though the Muggles have no knowledge of it” (Fredsall, 2017, p. 13). Thus, Rowling provides the readers with an idea that magic does not have to exist solely in a fantasy universe, like in the cases of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, or A Song of Ice and Fire, but can be easily found in everyday life.

Figure 3: Albus Dumbledore Portrait (Roux, 2022).

Significantly, in the J. K. Rowling's universe, magic is equally accessible to people who possess the abilities, avoiding the old stigma about witchcraft being predominantly a women’s art and portraying witches as evil (Rapson, 2020). As it is stated in the infamous Malleus Maleficarum (first issue 1486), also known as Hammer of the Witches, women are supposed to be "more susceptible to the lure of witchcraft" because they are born wicked and defective, prone to "infidelity, ambition, and lust" (Kramer, 1971, p. 51). This book, commonly referred to as the witch-hunter's guide, played a significant role in the prosecution of suspected witches, contributing to the three-hundred years long witch-craze that primarily swept across Europe and United States, propagating "toxic masculinity" and justifying "hatred of women" (Grossman, 2019, p. 80). Extreme religious dogmas and negative views on women possessing any sort of power in the patriarchal society at the time have attributed to the stereotypes about witches being evil, dangerous, and in league with the Devil.

Throughout the centuries, media and fiction substantially maintained this stereotype, and the image of the witch has become almost inseparable from the female gender. However, Rowling rejects this outdated idea, and the Harry Potter universe can be seen as a place “where equal opportunity among sexes is a given” (Gladstein, 2004, p. 49). The series’ title character is a male, same as many other main heroes, both good and evil wizards, like Albus Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort. Instead of having a disproportionate amount of females in the story, “there are actually a disproportionate amount of males” (Fredsall, 2017, p. 39). However, the author compensates for this fact by creating strong and inspiring female characters, like Hermione Granger who is frequently considered to be a feminist icon in pop-culture. Therefore, presenting magic as a power equally used by all genders and ages the author turns the concept of it into something more attractive and understandable for everyone (Müllerová, 2019).

Figure 4: Hermione brewing Polyjuice Potion (Warner Bros, 2002).

Harry Potter incorporates certain elements, traditionally attached to witchcraft, however, presenting them from the modern perspective. For instance, "flying, specifically of broomsticks", have always been one of the common traits associated with witches (Fredsall, 2017, p. 36). Though, in the Harry Potter universe flying on a broom is as normal as driving a car for Muggles. Brooms are used as a common transport and as a leisure activity, “including the magical sport Quidditch” (Fredsall, 2017, p. 36). In addition, Rowling incorporates in the books the concept of familiars, who have been known to be witches’ companions, spirits or demons, in the shape of an animal, which demonstrates an important connection between magic and nature (Fredsall, 2017). The author modifies the idea of animal companions by including various magical creatures in the books. Furthermore, it is very common for wizards to have pets, as it is stated in the Hogwarts acceptance letter that the students are allowed to bring “an owl OR a cat OR a toad” (Rowling, 1997, p. 67).

Another attribute which has been carrying negative connotations for witchcraft since the Middle Ages is pointy hats and cloaks, as they were associated with occult practices and rituals worshiping Satan (Wells, 2007). Though, in Harry Potter books these elements appear to be a normal outfit for witches and wizards, erasing any negative associations attached to these clothes. The universe of Harry Potter follows its own rules and has its own history. By interweaving actual historical facts with fictional, Rowling creates a world so realistic, that readers "are still waiting for their Hogwarts acceptance letter" (Fredsall, 2017). Harry Potter introduces a world where witchcraft loses any negative or evil meaning attached to it in historical sources and later popular culture, and appears as a mundane, though attractive part of everyday life of witches and wizards.

Figure 5: Lumos (Picolo-kun, 2015).

Harry Potter is a great example of modern fiction which helped bring a major shift in the perspective on witchcraft in popular culture. It is not the only work of fiction that does so, but by continuing the tradition of presenting magic as a positive force and witches as the protagonists of the story, it has helped deliver the message to the wider audience. The series has heavily influenced children’s literature, inspired many fantasy and young-adult books, and helped to shift the portrayal of sorceresses, witches, and magicians in modern fiction. Certainly, Rowling's work can be examined from different perspectives, as along with its global appeal, the series has contributed to the commercialisation of witchcraft traditions in modern society (Haynes, 2016). This "commodified witchcraft" is detached from its roots and religious traditions (Ezzy, 2001). Despite that, Harry Potter is still seen as a very controversial work in certain religious communities, whose traditional beliefs do not allow them to let go of the stereotypical views on witchcraft. It is natural that "people tend to find in books what they want to find", though, essentially, involving witchcraft and wizardry, Rowling's series is focused on the "defeat of evil and exhibition of strong morals" and not on the occult (Groenhout, 2007, p. 1).

Regardless of the controversy, the influence of the series on the idea of witchcraft as something appealing is undeniable. J. K. Rowling creates in her fantasy novels a concept of magic which is attractive for all ages and genders, being versatile, exciting, and accessible. It portrays the protagonists, both wizards and witches, as strong and positive characters who can be seen as role-models as much for children as for the adults. Over the past twenty five years, Harry Potter has become more than just a story, attracting fans through the films and games, and inspiring people for all kinds of creative expressions, like fan fiction, art works, and even music bands dedicated to the franchise. Fans can experience firsthand Harry Potter's magical world by visiting the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a twenty-acre fully immersive theme park at its Orlando location" which allows visitors to explore "the town of Hogsmeade and sample butterbeer, go into Ollivander's to be chosen by a wand, journey inside Hogwarts castle, and ride a hippogriff or a dragon" (Gierzynski & Eddy, 2013, p. 1). Thanks to popularisation of Rowling’s work, magic has turned into something fun and desirable, erasing for many people the negative connotations associated with witchcraft and, instead, making them dream about being a part of this wizarding world.

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