Dark Arts / Terrorism

[juli17 at aol.com]

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My  reply originated with a post on HPfGU.  Since this delves  into
off-topic territory, I moved it over here.

Replace Dark Arts  with terrorists, and with such a speech JKR could
stand a good chance of  running for Prime Minister.

While JKR has said she has not  conscientiously altered her story
around the war on terror, there are  certainly parallels.  Voldermort
certainly appears to be an  unstoppable and growing evil.

If the attacks in London, the World Trade  Centre, and the ongoing war
in Iraq weren't so terrible and serious, one  might think of Lord
Voldermort gaining power.  Obviously I'm joking,  as it would be
terribly wrong to trivialize the attacks and deaths that  have occurred.  

Has anyone else observed any parallels between  the books and real
world terrorism - the muggle equivalent of the Dark  Arts?

Joe



Julie says:
The part of HBP I feel fairly certain JKR inserted *post* 9/11 and  the
various responses to that terrible tragedy have more to do with the
Ministry than the Dark Arts. Obviously the Dark Arts can substitute
for terrorism of many kinds, not just Muslim extremist terrorism, but
also that of dictators who kill huge numbers of citizens who don't
support their regimes, the long-standing terrorist activities within
Palestine and Israel, the past terrorist methods of the IRA, etc, 
etc, etc. 
 
But what seems most tied to the terrorism of today is the climate
of fear and distrust that permeates the Ministry, and their response
of ignoring human/wizard rights in the name of security. This is 
particularly evident in the extended incarceration of Stan  Shunpike
and others, arrested on dubious charges, and denied any kind
of recourse such proof of evidence or a quick trial. (Shades of
Guantanamo Bay and other places.)
 
I could be wrong, and JKR always had this bit planned, but I
really suspect this is something that came to her later. 
 
Julie
(who applauds the inclusion of these scenes,  BTW)


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