Utopian vision vs realism in fiction

[jrober4211]

No: HPFGUIDX 33388

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "sirius_3lack" <sirius_3lack at y...> wrote:

 
> Is the Potterverse the way it is in regard to gender roles because 
> that is how the world of the younger reader is percieved by an 
adult 
> author?
> 
> Or is it written in this way in order to encourage the perpetuation 
> of these traditional gender roles in the adult lives of the young 
> reader?
> 
> Any thoughts?
> 
> Sirius

I think its written the way it is because it was based on the 
author's experience of how she percieved gender roles as a child. I 
wish I could qoute which interview I read this in, but I remember 
reading where JKR stated that she based the Hermione character upon 
herself as a child. I also remember her saying that other characters 
were also based on exaggerated versions of people she knew , such as 
the Gilderoy Lockhart character. I doubt seriously that JKR 
conciously decided while writing the Potter stories " Gee, I think 
I'll write a series in which traditional gender roles are portrayed."

Jo Ellen