Jo's OWN Words about Political and Religious Overtones in the Books

[Kathryn Lambert]

No: HPFGUIDX 173766

colebiancardi <muellem at bc.edu> wrote:   Katie

no one, again, no one on the boards are stating that the Slytherins
are Jews.

Historically, Jews have had nasty stereotypes given to them, pre WWII.
Many posters have given historically correct facts about the biases
towards Jews and being painted as villians, untrustworthy, etc. Just
take a look at a famous work - The Merchant of Venice - and tell me if
I am wrong here.

colebiancardi
(and I don't think those comparisons of stereotypes will ever be put
to rest - JKR wrote them in her books and it is canon)

Katie wrote- I think the Slytherins as Jews argument can be put (somewhat) to
rest, as she clearly says that Muggles (IF ANYONE) in the books would
be the persucuted people. She also says there are other political
situations reflected...hmmm, Bush and Blair, anyone?
>
>

  ****Katie Replies:
  Apologies for any misunderstanding. I admit I wasn't reading every post with fervor, but I didn't necessarily mean that anyone at HPfGU was arguing that, more that it was an interpretation that was out there. And in post 173556, a few websites are mentioned where this theory is expounded. And in 175379, someone, Geoff maybe, mentions that people do hold this theory. 
   
  I was more interested with her mentioning political situations other than Nazi Germany, actually. I always saw parallels with the American poltical situation post 9-11, where people just wanted to believe the government, even when what the government said was blatently wrong, just to feel safe. Fudge and Umbridge really exemplified this for me. I was not in Britain at the time, so I don't know what the precise political situation was there, but there are probably similarities. Anyway, sorry for any misunderstanding. : ) KATIE

    
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