The 'Other' in the HP books (was: Harry's Sexual Preference SHIP) - LONG

[aamonn2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 78119

 
severusbook4 wrote :
> >      The under currents could be read by any persecuted minority 
> > group as references to them.  Anyone that has been singled out 
> > because of their genetic, religous, sexual, or racial differences 
> > can identify with Harry and his want of a place where he feels he 
> > belongs.  

> psychic_serpent wrote :
> Actually, that's not true.  As I said, normally, minorities have 
> company.  They are in a family or community in which there is a 
> shared heritage, religion, language, etc.  Sexual minorities are 
> unique in that they are born into a family where they are the ones 
> who are different from everyone else (snip) 

Actually, that's not completely true. IMHO Severus was right saying 
that sexual minorities are not that unique for the "heritage" you 
were talking about is not always shared and that's precisely the 
reason why people are often isolated *within* their own family, 
relatives, community, etc. This is not something that only affects 
sexual minorities. Thus said, I find your analysis really really 
interesting although I don't believe it should only apply to gay or 
lesbian people.

> The 'ordinary' minorities who are depicted as oppressed 
> or marginalized in the HP series are elves, werewolves and giants 
> (or part-giants).  These individuals undergo an entirely different 
> experience from Muggle-raised Harry or the 'blood-traitor' Sirius.  
> These minorities are being marginalized by people outside their 
> group, not by other elves, werewolves, etc.  There is a difference 
> between being rejected by one's culture and being rejected by one's 
> own family, which would normally be a refuge from rejection from 
> the larger culture. (Dobby is the metaphorical gay in the elf 
> community!  He still enjoys cleaning as much as the next elf, but 
> he ENJOYS being free, and other elves are highly suspicious 
> of him because of this difference.  I do not think that it is a 
> coincidence that she repeats this theme so many times in the books.)

Yes, and don't forget Firenze likewise ...

See you.
AAm.