Speculative literature and Harry Potter

Hello friends...!

Welcome to my blog...

• Speculative literature and Harry Potter: What is speculative literature? How far Harry Potter qualifies for the same? Does J K Rowling transcends the confines of speculative literature and claim the heights of ‘real’ literature?

• Speculative fiction:-

                                                     Speculative fiction is a broad category of fiction encompassing genres with certain elements that do not exist in the real world, often in the context of supernatural, futuristic or other imaginative themes. These include, but are not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, horror, superhero fiction, alternate history, utopian and dystopian fiction, and supernatural fiction, as well as combinations thereof.

                                                      In historiography, what is now called speculative fiction has previously been termed "historical invention", "historical fiction", and similar names. It is extensively noted in literary criticism of the works of William Shakespeare as when he co-locates Athenian Duke Theseus and Amazonian Queen Hippolyta, English fairy Puck, and Roman god Cupid across time and space in the Fairyland of its Merovingian Germanic sovereign Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

                                                     In mythography the concept of speculative fiction has been termed "mythopoesis" or mythopoeia, "fictional speculation", the creative design and generation of lore, regarding such works as J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Such supernatural, alternate history and sexuality themes continue in works produced within the modern speculative fiction genre.

                                                           The full name of the school is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was founded over a thousand years ago, by four wizards. The four houses of Hogwarts are named after them.Harry Potter is an orphan, being raised by cartoonishly cruel relatives. On his eleventh birthday, he discovers that he is actually of wizardly lineage, and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While there, Harry is constantly butting heads with people from Slytherin House, especially Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy.

                                                         He and his friends Ron and Hermione discover that the Philosopher's Stone is being kept at Hogwarts, and that a member of the staff is trying to steal it, to enable Voldemort to return to full incarnate life.

                                                           Harry returns for a second year at Hogwarts, but is in trouble even before he gets there. In addition, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, an egotistical publicity hound, decides that Harry is just like him. However, serious things are happening. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, and Slytherin's Heir is out to get Muggles and Muggle-born wizards. Students are being found petrified in the halls of Hogwarts. Then, Dumbledore is suspended as Headmaster, and Hagrid is sent to prison.


                                                         Shortly before Harry's third year at Hogwarts begins, a prisoner escapes from the dreaded Azkaban Prison. The fugitive, Sirius Black, was convicted of the murder of Harry's parents, as well as being held directly responsible for the deaths of thirteen others.

                                                         Shortly before Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, he attends the Quidditch World Cup, where Ireland defeats Bulgaria, and the Death Eaters stage a rally.

                                                        Once back at Hogwarts, it is announced that the first Tri-Wizard tounament in well over a century will be held there, with students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang (France and Bulgaria, respectively) competing against the selected champion from Hogwarts. After the three champions are chosen, Harry's name magically is added, through no desire of him or his friends.

                                                        Bertha Jorkins of the Ministry of Magic is missing, and Barty Crouch has gone into seclusion. To make matters worse, reporter Rita Skeeter of The Daily Prophet is running slander articles on everything going on at Hogwarts, right down to the personal lives of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

                                                        While Harry's still at the Dursleys', he is attacked by dementors. He's taken into protective custody by The Order of the Phoenix.

                                                        When he finally gets to Hogwarts, he discovers that the Ministry of Magic, aided by The Daily Prophet, is engaging in an extensive campaign to discredit him. To top it off, Dumbledore is giving him the cold shoulder.

                                                        Then, Dolores Umbridge of the Ministry, acting in her role as Head Inquisitor, starts putting new rules in place. No student organizations (such as Quidditch teams) may form or meet without her express permission. Staff may not discuss anything except course content with any student. All correspondence is subject to prior censorship.

                                                         About the only good thing that happens to Harry is that Dumbledore directs Professor Snape to provide him private instruction.

For the more known about women characters, you visit following resources...

• References:-

1. http://www.math.wisc.edu/~mstemper2/SpecFic/HarryPotter/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculative_fiction

Thank you...

Go to main blog, Click here...