*SPOILERS* Harry Potter political discussion

[LostinVA]

I think Rowling handled the parallels between Voldemort's reign and the beginnings and middle era of the Third Reich, especially the "pureblood" stuff.

[WolverineDG]

1. Yup, that & America under Bushco

Minister of Magic being a puppet (who is the real president?)
Not acknowledging that Voldemort has returned (Al Qaeda/9/11/terra terra terra)

Those are the 2 that pop into my head right now.

dg

[Debi]

2. What about the religious undertones?

Harry died to protect the others with his love (and then came back to life?)

His mothers love protects him from evil?

[LostinVA]

4. OOOO -- I mentioned that to someone today

Sacrificing his life so that others may be saved and then coming back to life.

[Debi]

6. Maybe it's just a big FU to organized religion

you know...at least the crackpots who boycotted her work?

[Neoma]

3. It's quite obvious.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Didn't Grindelwald work for Hitler?

I think a strong case can be made that Gellert Grindelwald was the real power behind Hitler. Grindelwald's slogan was "For the Greater Good," which definitely sounds like part of the Nazi ideology. Grindelwald was defeated in 1945, which coincides with the fall of the Third Reich. Hitler was known to have openly sought the Spear of Destiny, and I believe that one of the aliases of the Elder Wand is the Wand of Destiny. And lastly, an ancient, respected symbol of power had become associated with Grindelwald and was still greatly feared in eastern Europe, where Grindelwald held sway, much like the swastika.

I have no doubt Rowlings was making political commentary in her works, Order of the Phoenix is very definitely a statement against fascism. But I think her connection to Nazi Germany is exactly where it belongs, with Grindelwald. Voldemort came latter; his rise to power beginning in the mid to 70s.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

7. I thought that it and the fifth movie were extremely 1984-ish, to use a major cliche.

Especially Umbridge using Moody's eye to spy on the pamphelteers. BIG SISTER IS WATCHING YOU!

But yeah, also really Nazi-ish.

:scared: