The Rest Is History 367. The Real Harry Potter: Magic, Empire and Beastly Bullies
Dive into the captivating world of Harry Potter and its roots in children's literature! Discover how J.K. Rowling's series shapes the moral compass of young readers, echoing themes from classics like Tom Brown's School Days. Explore the connections between Hogwarts and Victorian public schools, including their educational ethos and social hierarchies. Uncover the magic of community identity in boarding schools while grappling with their darker practices. This journey into fantasy and history reveals lasting impacts on culture and character.
01:04:20
Harry Potter's Impact
- Half a billion people have read the Harry Potter books worldwide.
- Its impact on readers under 35 is significant, with some deriving their moral code from it.
Boarding School Tradition
- J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter draws inspiration from the British boarding school story tradition.
- This tradition emphasizes moral development, exemplified by books like Tom Brown's School Days.
Tom Brown's Influence
- Tom Brown's School Days, written by Thomas Hughes, is a foundational text for Victorian Britain.
- It influenced the culture of international sports, concepts of manliness, and moral character.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Magic of Morality: Harry Potter and Beyond
01:41 • 9min
Legacy of 'Tom Brown's School Days'
11:09 • 16min
The Impact of Children's Literature on Working-Class Culture
26:49 • 2min
The Cultural Roots of House Sorting in Hogwarts
29:14 • 2min
The Legacy of English Public Schools
31:18 • 11min
Magic, Masculinity, and the Legacy of British Boarding Schools
42:02 • 15min
Exploring Hogwarts: Public Schools and Their Evolving Identity
56:32 • 3min
Atlantis
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner's writings on Atlantis explore the concept of a prehistoric civilization with advanced spiritual and technological capabilities.
He describes Atlantis not as a purely historical event, but as a significant stage in the evolution of human consciousness.
Steiner's account of Atlantis emphasizes the spiritual and moral aspects of this civilization, highlighting its eventual decline due to misuse of spiritual and technological powers.
He connects the Atlantean legacy to various cultural and historical phenomena, suggesting its influence on subsequent civilizations.
Steiner's perspective on Atlantis offers a unique blend of historical speculation, spiritual insight, and social commentary.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone follows the story of Harry Potter, an orphan who lives with his cruel aunt and uncle.
On his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers he is a wizard and begins attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
There, he makes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and becomes entangled in a mystery surrounding the Philosopher's Stone, a magical object that can grant eternal life.
The trio must prevent the dark wizard Lord Voldemort from obtaining the Stone and restoring his power.
Beyond a boundary
C. L. R. James
Published in 1963, 'Beyond a Boundary' is neither a traditional cricket memoir nor an autobiography.
It blends discussions of cricket matches, the history of the game in Trinidad and England, and its cultural significance.
James argues that cricket is an art form that embodies and dramatically expresses the collective aspirations of a society.
The book explores the intersection of sports, culture, and politics, particularly in the context of colonial West Indian society and the decolonization movement.
Tom Brown's school days
Thomas Hughes
Published in 1857, 'Tom Brown's School Days' is a novel by Thomas Hughes that chronicles the life of Tom Brown, a young boy attending Rugby School in the 1830s.
The story is loosely based on Hughes' own experiences at Rugby School and follows Tom from his early childhood in the Vale of White Horse to his years at Rugby.
Tom faces various challenges, including bullying by the notorious Flashman, but finds support and friendship through his relationships with Harry 'Scud' East and George Arthur.
Under the guidance of the headmaster, Dr. Thomas Arnold, Tom and his friends learn valuable lessons about morality, responsibility, and personal development.
The novel concludes with Tom's growth into a confident and responsible young man, highlighted by his success in a cricket match and his eventual preparation for life beyond school.
The intellectual life of the British working classes
Jonathan Rose
Jonathan Rose's "The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes" is a groundbreaking work of social history that explores the surprising extent of literacy and intellectual engagement among working-class people in Britain.
Rose challenges traditional assumptions about working-class culture, revealing a rich and vibrant intellectual life that often went unnoticed by historians.
The book examines the various ways in which working-class people accessed and engaged with literature, ideas, and knowledge, highlighting the importance of self-education, community learning, and the role of institutions like libraries and workingmen's clubs.
Rose's work offers a compelling counter-narrative to the often-negative stereotypes associated with working-class culture, demonstrating the intellectual vitality and resilience of ordinary people.
The Narnia stories of Tolkien
The Narnia stories of Tolkien
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C.S. Lewis
C. S.
Lewis's "Chronicles of Narnia" is a series of seven fantasy novels that follow the adventures of various children in the magical world of Narnia.
The series explores themes of good versus evil, redemption, and the power of faith.
Each book features unique characters and settings, with Narnia itself evolving throughout the series.
The books have been adapted into films and stage productions, cementing their place in popular culture.
Their enduring appeal lies in their imaginative storytelling and timeless themes.
The Discworld stories
The Discworld stories
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Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series is a comedic fantasy saga set on a flat disc-shaped world balanced on the backs of four elephants standing on a giant turtle.
The series features a vast cast of characters, including wizards, witches, and various other fantastical beings.
Pratchett's writing is known for its wit, satire, and social commentary, often tackling serious themes with humor and intelligence.
The Discworld books are beloved for their originality, memorable characters, and enduring appeal.
The series has had a significant impact on the fantasy genre.
The Flashman Papers
A Series of Historical Novels
George MacDonald Fraser
The Flashman Papers is a series of novels and short stories by George MacDonald Fraser, centered around the exploits of Harry Flashman, a cowardly British soldier who finds himself in numerous historical events between 1839 and 1894.
The series combines historical accuracy with fictional adventures, often involving Flashman in pivotal moments of history.
The sword in the stone
T.H. White
T. H.
White's "The Sword in the Stone" is a retelling of the Arthurian legend, focusing on the childhood and early years of King Arthur.
The story is presented as a series of interconnected tales, each with its own unique charm and style.
White's narrative blends elements of fantasy, humor, and social commentary, creating a richly detailed and engaging world.
The book's exploration of themes such as education, morality, and the nature of power resonates with readers of all ages.
Its influence on subsequent Arthurian adaptations is significant.
The Dark Is Rising Sequence
Susan Cooper
Mixed Magics
Four Tales of Chrestomanci
Diana Wynne Jones
Mixed Magics is a collection of four fantasy stories by Diana Wynne Jones, featuring tales from the Chrestomanci series.
The stories include 'Stealer of Souls', 'Carol Oneir', 'The Sage of Theare', and 'Warlock at the Wheel'.
These tales explore magical adventures and mysteries within the Chrestomanci universe.
Asylums
Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates
Erving Goffman
This book is an analysis of life in 'total institutions' – closed worlds such as prisons, army training camps, naval vessels, boarding schools, monasteries, nursing homes, and mental hospitals.
Goffman describes what these institutions make of the inmate and what the inmate can make of life inside them.
Special attention is given to mental hospitals, drawing on the author's year of field work at St. Elizabeth's in Washington, D.C.
The book argues that the most important factor in forming a mental-hospital patient is the institution itself, rather than the illness, and that the patient's reactions and adjustments are similar to those of inmates in other types of institutions.
Aubrey-Maturin Series
Patrick O'Brian
The Aubrey-Maturin series consists of 20 completed and one unfinished novel, published between 1969 and 2004.
The series follows the careers and personal lives of Captain Jack Aubrey, a naval officer in the Royal Navy, and Dr. Stephen Maturin, a physician, naturalist, and intelligence agent.
The novels are renowned for their meticulous historical detail, complex characters, and the enduring friendship between Aubrey and Maturin.
The series spans various settings, including naval battles, diplomatic missions, and personal struggles, all set against the backdrop of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
The Great British Dream Factory
Dominic Sandbrook
In 'The Great British Dream Factory', Dominic Sandbrook delves into the profound impact of British popular culture on the global imagination.
The book covers a wide range of cultural icons, from James Bond and The Beatles to Harry Potter and Doctor Who, highlighting Britain's significant contributions to the world's cultural landscape.
Sandbrook's work is both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering insights into how British culture has shaped and been shaped by global trends.
John Addington Symonds' memoir
John Addington Symonds' memoir
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John Addington Symonds
The Real Enid Blyton
A Biography
Nadia Cohen
This biography provides insights into Enid Blyton's personal life, her writing process, and the controversies surrounding her work.
It offers a nuanced view of her legacy and impact on children's literature.
The Classic Slum
Salford Life in the First Quarter of the Century
Robert Roberts
The Classic Slum is a blend of autobiography, social history, and oral history, detailing life in Salford during the early 20th century.
Roberts provides a firsthand account of poverty, social hierarchy, and the effects of World War I on working-class communities.
His work challenges romanticized views of slum life, highlighting the complexities of social stratification and the conservative nature of the working class.
Gilded Youth
James Brooke-Smith
In *Gilded Youth*, James Brooke-Smith delves into the history of British public schools over the past three centuries, uncovering episodes of teenage rebellion, sexual dissidence, and political radicalism.
He examines how these elite institutions have shaped youth culture and inspired countercultures among artists and intellectuals.
The book draws on personal experience, extensive research, and various cultural representations to offer a fresh perspective on upper-class adolescence in Britain.
The Worst Witch
Jill Murphy
The Worst Witch follows the adventures of Mildred Hubble, a well-intentioned but accident-prone young witch at Miss Cackle's Academy.
Despite her mishaps, Mildred often manages to save the day, as seen when she foils a plot against the school.
The book is a light-hearted tale of friendship, school life, and overcoming challenges.
The old boys
David Turner
In 'The Old Boys: The Decline and Rise of the Public School', David Turner provides a detailed examination of the historical trajectory of public schools.
The book delves into stories of schoolboy revolts, eccentric heads, corruption, and financial crises, offering insights into how these institutions have maintained their influence despite challenges.
Turner's work also considers the broader implications of public schools on social structures and power dynamics.
Greyfriars School Stories
A Collection of Tales from Greyfriars School
Charles Hamilton
The Greyfriars stories, written by Charles Hamilton under the pen name Frank Richards, are a long-running series of tales set at the fictional Greyfriars School.
The stories, originally published in *The Magnet* from 1908 to 1940, follow the adventures of characters like Billy Bunter and his friends in the Lower Fourth form.
The series is known for its blend of humor and schoolboy antics.
Works on Flagellation Brothels
Works on Flagellation Brothels
No specific subtitle available
George Cannon
George Cannon was a notable figure in the Victorian era's literary and sexual culture, but specific details about a book titled 'works on flagellation brothels' are not available.
Eclectic traditions, obscure codes and cryptic ancient languages: the world of Harry Potter has captivated the imagination of children from all backgrounds for decades. A fantasy series inspired by a long lineage of stories, from Tolkien to Narnia, all committed to the importance of the building of moral character. Join Tom and Dominic in the first part of our series on Harry Potter, as they trace the roots of J.K. Rowling’s novels, and demystify the world of eminent headmasters, weird sports, prefects and houses.
*The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*:
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Twitter:
@TheRestHistory
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Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor
Research: William Finlator
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