Jewish Goblins?

[zesca]

No: HPFGUIDX 81868


"Matt" <hpfanmatt at g...> wrote:
<huge snip>
> 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> The point is not that the Goblins are supposed to *represent* Jews,
> but that the *discrimination* against the Goblins is reminiscent of a
> certain brand of anti-Semitism -- demonizing an entire group because
> some members are successful in business or finance.
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> 
> This is how allegory works.  It is, if properly executed, gentler than
> symbolism or metaphor.  Rowling's Goblins do not represent Jews any
> more than (to pick a relatively well-known example) Melville's Billy
> Budd "represents" Jesus.  But I think it is no accident that we can
> see echoes of various types of RW discrimination in the Potterverse. 
> (Half-breeds, anyone?)
<snip>
> That sort of portrayal (see, for example, prior list
> discussions re: Prof. Grubbly-Plank) is just pure representation, not
> symbolism and surely not allegory.

madeyemood:
matt, when you get a chance would you mind elaborating on representation v 
symbolism v allegory?

i like all of the distinctions you drew in your post. elegantly done. it's easy to 
confuse an allusion to a certain type of prejudice as buying into that prejudice. 
but, imho, they simply are not the same thing.

there are a couple of other examples that leap to mind.
in star trek: deep space nine there was that culture of short people with big 
ears who were obsessed with money...you know: the Quark character, the 
grand Negus, etc. .

South Park, one of whose writer's is jewish, perpetuates scandalous ideas 
about both the jews and the people dumb enough to judge them for being 
jewish. there was this one recent episode that put forth the theory that Earth 
was a reality show for aliens from other planets. the studio heads were 
somewhat of a parody of the hollywood studio heads,  traditionally a position 
occupied by jews. the coen brothers also did parodies of the jewish studio 
head in Barton Fink.

As most of you know doubt know, there are reasons that the jews became 
moneylenders in medieval europe. the christian royalty would control the 
usury rates, then imply that it was the fault of the jews whose job it was to 
implement their policies. i remember reading about this in Tuchman's history 
of 14th century europe.

anyway, it is a shame that discussing an aspect of the book so easily 
devolves into baseless accusation. alas, that's the way with tribal injury. a lot 
of those wounds are still sore.

best,
m.e.m.