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The Rest Is History
367. The Real Harry Potter: Magic, Empire and Beastly Bullies
Sep 10, 2023
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, discusses the origins and influences behind her novels. Topics include the impact of the series, the significance of Dr. Arnold, the concept of 'beastliness', the influence of school stories and banned books, the origins of houses in Harry Potter, and the influence of school stories on children.
01:04:20
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Quick takeaways
- Harry Potter drew inspiration from the long lineage of British school stories, featuring the trajectory of a boy discovering an extraordinary new world at a boarding school.
- The influence of Thomas Arnold, headmaster of Rugby School, shaped the educational system and emphasized the importance of sport, moral character, and the prefect system.
Deep dives
The Influence of Public School Stories on Harry Potter
Harry Potter draws on the long lineage of school stories, such as Tom Brown School Days, to craft its narrative. The essential trajectory of Harry's story mirrors the classic structure in which a boy goes from obscurity to discovering an extraordinary new world at a boarding school. This device, featuring the boy learning new codes, encountering new friends and enemies, and navigating through trials, has a rich history in British fiction.
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