Oh Potter - research ideas

Kristin wrote a wonderful research idea on her blog about the effects of England on Harry Potter series and effects of Harry Potter on British people. It seems pretty hard not to ponder the possibilities of researching something related to Harry Potter, as it happens to be that we are going to Oxford, especially spending a quality of time in Bodleian Library (which was shot as Hogwarts Sanatorium in Harry Potter film series), and the last movie of the HP series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows HAPPENS to be premiering in London in July and we will happily happen to be 2-hour away from the magical place. It seems crazy not to chase after Mr. Potter, right?

It is simply astounding and inspiring to know that one single mother, from mid to low class in England where class system still exist and is valued, has created an indestructible empire and is now richer than the queen.

bumpshack.com

 If American dream was all about getting out of one's social class to reach for a higher goal, and the British supposedly despised that, how has J.K. Rowling altered this British's view? Is she now truly 'respected' by British society, especially people from upper class? The House of Commons was first introduced to the British Parliaments because the British kings wanted monetary power from rich 'commoners' to fund their wars. So although it seems possible to move up the social ladder or be granted more power to one's self from lower class, why do British still value their social structure, including royalty, so much? In Harry Potter books, this social structure is portrayed as a 'conflict' between wizards and Muggles. Hermione, a Muggle-Borne, comes to Hogwarts and often is ridiculed and bullied by bad wizards. (Btw, she's famous enough to deserve a definition in Wikipedia!) Perhaps J.K. Rowling created Hermione character while dreaming a better situation for herself and her children. Do British people secretly dream of being successful and envying of American Dreams? It would be fascinating to look into Rowling and HP effects on British society and vice versa.