Harry Potter series by JK Rowling has attracted literary criticism from feminists from the time the first book came out. In their interpretation of the book through how the male and female characters are developed, feminists have come to different and in some cases contradictory conclusions on the classification based on literary theories. The analysis reveals that there are two competing theories. The first literary theory is that the novels are sexist and perpetuate the existing stereotypes that portray women as the secondary gender. The other theory suggests that the novels are in fact feminist and portrays women as being strong, independent and able to compete fairly with men. From a feminist perspective, both theories are well represented in the novels. The analysis of the characters reveals that the way women are portrayed has elements of the stereotypes while at the same time are shown as mature, strong and independent.
The perspective that the novels are sexist is first demonstrated by the association of female characters with weakness. They are associated with the stereotypes that women cry and sob more often than boys. This is seen in the character and the behavior of Hermione in the first book. She is seen crying when things don’t work out for her. Hermione has several instances of hysterical outbursts and she weeps too often in the first novel. She is also portrayed as easily scared and fearful. This is shown in the first book when Ron and Harry Potter rescued her when she is scared by a troll. "[Hermione] was still flat against the wall, her mouth open with terror" (Philosopher's Stone, 130.)
Apart from Hermione, Molly Weasley is another female character whose portrayal reiterates the notions that Harry Potter novels are sexist. Ms. Weasley is shown as a typical mother role other than any other role during the story development. Fearful of the danger, being in distress and having hysterical outbursts are all associated with weakness. This manner of portrayal is meant to validate the existing stereotypes that depict women as weak and unable to help themselves when in need. The fact that the female characters are exposed as being scared, staying at home cooking, and in need of saviors also underscores the common sexist belief that women are not independent and must get help from men. Even though everyone was in danger, she killed Bellatrix in revenge for her son rather than because she wanted to end with the casualties. On several occasions, Hermione needs the help of Harry Potter to disentangle herself from trouble as she is fearful and cannot survive when left alone during the adventures. The association of female character weakness is also shown by the representation of women as being housewives and in charge of the family most of the time.
Sexism is also seen in the allocation of intellectual roles among the main characters in the novels. Harry Potter is the main male character who is smart, a great wizard, and brave. He knows his ways and saves others when in trouble. Another male character is professor Dumbledore who is wise and experienced. In his speeches, professor Dumbledore recognizes the contribution of males and exalts their achievements. This is contrasted with the characterization of females, who are portrayed as intellectual but reliant on males for their knowledge and decisions. In essence, females are playing second fiddle in terms of intellectual capabilities. Harry Potter and his friends find it very easy to trick McGonagall who is represented as smart, but not wise. Harry and his friends are unable to trick professor Dumbledore, but does so on McGonagall easily (Rowling, 2018). The fact that Harry Potter is able to trick her so easily and on so many occasions shows the weaknesses of women intellectually. This is a validation of the sexist view that even women who are intellectuals still have some weaknesses that men can exploit and gain advantages over them.
Furthermore, the girls are shown to be more interested in magical powers taught in divination classes, while the boys are shown to be relying on their instincts, knowledge, and experiences. The character of French girl Fleur also portrays the difference in intellectual ability in the novels. In the fourth novel, she takes part in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and she comes last. The boys defeat her. Again, this is a validation of the limited intellectual capabilities associated with females in society. Feminism advocates for the recognition of equality in intellectual capabilities and contributions in the society. The novels are sexist by reiterating and validating the common prejudices against women which relegate women to be of lower intellect as compared to men.
Sexism is also evident in the novels by the nature of hierarchy among the characters. Men are given more capabilities and are more energetic. While in the second part of the Tri-Wizard tournament, French girl Fleur gets entangled in seaweed. Harry Potter and his friends save her. In the first novel, Ron and Harry also save Hermione from the troll. Therefore, men are represented as saviors while women are represented as being in distress most of the time (Valentina, and Quiroz, 2015). This is prejudicial and sexist, in that men and women are seen as having different physical capabilities. A feminist perspective is based on the recognition of the physical capabilities of women. The portrayal of women as the weaker gender is sexist validates the existing stereotypes placing women as subordinates to men. The patriarchal nature of the novels’ plot is evident from the roles of female characters. The female characters are seen to be building the role of men which diminishes their independent contributions to the novels' purpose. As an example, it can be seen how Cho Chang only build the adventure of Harry Potter and not their own experiences. In the novel, women are shown to be in secondary positions of power and authority, which indicate male domination and sexism (Valentina, and Quiroz, 2015).
The sexist perspective is also illustrated by the number and nature of representation of the characters. First, the novels have more male characters than females. Males are overrepresented such that the evil characters are mostly played by males. Most of the evil characters associated with power, fearlessness, and invincibility and are represented as men. Severus Snape, Peter Pettigrew, Voldemort, Harry Potter, and Dumbledore characters associated with power are men. In the same manner, male characters are more heroic than females. Likewise, it can be seen that males outnumber females as shown in the Quidditch teams. In the Gryffindor team, there are four boys while girls are three. Moreover, the Slytherin team has no girls at all. Males are given more critical roles than women which is an indication of the sexist nature in the novels. This is a validation of the prejudices against women which places them under the control of men. Feminist agenda is the achievement of equality in representation. In the wider society, feminism seeks to have women’s representation at par with that of men.
Despite the many instances of support to the literary theory of sexism in the novels, there is a divergent feminist voice that hails Harry Potter novels as being feminist and portrays women as being strong-willed, independent and self-reliant. One of the most vocal proponents of this literary theory is Eliza Dresang. She suggests that the traits that JK Rowling attributed to the female characters such as crying, sobbing and being fearful are not stereotypical, but simply a comical exaggeration of the weaknesses that both males and females in the novel experiences (Dresang, 2002). She cites the fact that even adults’ males in the novels cry, and the weaknesses are not only limited to female characters. Half-giant Hagrid is an example of male character who cries when he receives news that his friend is to be executed, in the novel Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, while in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Principal Dumbledore also shed tears.
Despite the instances of weaknesses, Hermione is also portrayed as being strong and able to save her friends. On many occasions, she saves Ron and Harry. She has the capabilities of the male characters which show the equality among the male and females in the novel. Hermione has widely read many books and is knowledgeable. She uses her knowledge to save other heroes in their time of need. Dresang sees the other female character, Professor McGonagall, as being ethical, strong and wise. She is portrayed as the model feminist woman who is an intellectual and able to challenge the male domination and control over females.
The two competing theories have supporting evidence from the Harry Potter novels. It is notable that the many traits attributed to the characters make it possible to have different interpretations of whether the novels are sexist or are an embodiment of feminist ideals. Overall, an analysis of book one and book four from a feminist perspective reveals that the sexist literary theory is the most dominant.