Thoughts on The Social Accreditation of Witchcraft and Wizardry: A Retrospective Look at the Social Dynamics Behind the Harry Potter Series (Books 1-3)
- Bryant Rogers
- Feb 13
- 26 min read
Updated: Feb 14
This winter, I've been listening to Stephen Fry’s narration of the Harry Potter series as audiobooks, and it's been a really nostalgic and eye-opening experience. As the world of wands, spells, and magical creatures unfolded once again, I began to understand it in a new way, now that I can see it through the lens of Social Accreditation Theory (SAT) The magical world that J.K. Rowling created is rich with many explicit and implicit systems of accreditation that mirror the very same societal norms, validations, and sanctions that shape our real world. But I think that what's struck me most is how deeply the evolution of norms around witchcraft and wizardry reflects broader cultural shifts; the changing view of witches from feared deviance to celebrated individuality and empowerment is a byproduct of generations of other standards, cultural and social norms making a similar shift.
It's interesting to see how much has changed since back in medieval and early modern Europe when witchcraft was a term that was steeped in fear and moral deviance. Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" (1606) famously immortalized the trope of the manipulative and prophetic witch, whose meddling in human affairs leads to chaos. The witches in "Macbeth" embody themes of fate, moral ambiguity, and societal fears about female power. Their scenes are marked by ominous chants, potions, and dark rituals, which have set the standard for how witches are depicted on stage and screen. Even lines like “Double, double, toil and trouble” have become iconic, influencing everything from children’s Halloween costumes to modern fantasy novels. Their enduring legacy lies in how they solidified the trope of the “triad of witches” while reflecting and shaping cultural anxieties about witchcraft and its association with chaos and deviance. The number three, which has long been associated with mysticism and symbolic significance (e.g., the Holy Trinity, the Fates of Greek mythology), lends the witches an air of inevitability and cosmic power. Shakespeare’s use of the triad reflects and reinforces this mystical association, portraying the witches as both earthly and otherworldly. They're not quite human, yet not really divine either. (fun fact: I once performed a rap about Macbeth for a project in my 9th grade English class!)
From the three witches in Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters to the Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus, the Halliwell sisters in Charmed, or the Hex Girls in Scooby Doo and the Witches Ghost, the concept of a witchly triad remains a powerful narrative device to this day.
During this era, the portrayal of witches also became a vehicle for exploring broader themes of power and control. Political and religious leaders used accusations of witchcraft to target marginalized individuals, particularly women who defied traditional roles. Institutions like the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church played a central role in these processes by enforcing explicit sanctions like excommunication, trials, and executions. But local communities also reinforced these with implicit sanctions like ostracism, gossip, and stigma that marked the accused as outcasts.
Famous artistic depictions of witches, such as Goya’s 'Witches’ Sabbath' (1798), captured the terror and fascination surrounding witchcraft, emphasizing its role as both a source of rebellion and a justification for repression.
Witch hunts and trials resulted in the prosecution and execution of tens of thousands of people labeled as witches, leading to a period commonly known as the Burning Times. Even as thinkers like Galileo and Newton sought to revolutionize new systems of legitimacy through scientific inquiry, witchcraft and mysticism still faced unprecedented persecution. Using SAT to revisit this historical era underscores the significance of dual accreditation mechanisms in societies. Explicit actions were complemented by implicit social cues that reinforced conformity. Witchcraft became a convenient scapegoat for societal anxieties, serving as a lightning rod to address tensions that were challenging to resolve or reconcile within the accreditation systems established and institutionalized by the prevaling religious authority.
But the Enlightenment brought a shift. As rationality and individualism gained traction, the hysteria surrounding witch trials began to wane. Over time, people started to reframed witches as misunderstood figures rather than inherently evil ones. By the Romantic era, witches were more commonly viewed through a compassionate lens. They were now just associated with mysticism and resistance against societal norms rather than blatant unholiness or blasphemy. As the 19th and 20th centuries progressed, witches became central to a lot of folklore, fairy tales, and eventually most modern fantasy literature. In works like the Brothers Grimm’s "Hansel and Gretel" (1812) and L. Frank Baum’s "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (1900), witches occupied both malevolent and benevolent roles, reflecting the duality of their cultural symbolism. These stories perpetuated stereotypes while also introducing more nuanced narratives.
Throughout the 20th century as media technology evolved, witches became a popular subject in many movies. Disney’s animated classics like "Sleeping Beauty" (1959) and "The Little Mermaid" (1989) initially adhered to traditional depictions of witches as villains, in characters Maleficent and Ursula. But this depiction gradually shifted through popularity, as movies like "Hocus Pocus" (1993) or "Halloweentown" (1998) began to show witchcraft as a way for people to break free from the rules and challenge society. This trope was also embodied in other media narratives, from the light-hearted and family-friendly Samantha in "Bewitched" (1964-1972) to the darker and more rebellious depictions in films like "The Craft" (1996). Young witches were soon seen as misunderstood outcasts, and this trend turned romanticizing witchcraft as a cool thing to study for kids who were special and different from other students. Think animated films like "Kiki’s Delivery Service" (1989) or the live-action TV series based on Archie Comics’ "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" (1996). Today, video games like World of Warcraft, The Witcher series and even role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons celebrate witches and wizards as powerful protagonists. These platforms further changed norms by allowing players to embody their magical characters and personally explore these evolving themes of morality and agency.
While the modern depiction of witches and wizards has shifted towards figures of wonder and defiance, it’s important to acknowledge that the stigma and norms around witchcraft run deep and there are those that practice who continued to face persecution throughout the early modern era and still encounter persecution and prejudice in contemporary society. Despite simultaneously gaining widespread recognition as symbols of creativity, empowerment, and resistance, witches’ as a cultural phenomenon have not been entirely free from discrimination.
Still, witches are HOT right now and popular media has played a pivotal role in this transformation by reshaping their narratives to align with contemporary values.
There are a lot of recent works in modern media that have continued to subvert traditional witchcraft narratives. Marvel’s "WandaVision" and "Agatha All Along" tv series both explore the nuanced humanity of witches, blending themes of power and vulnerability while critiquing societal fears of strong, independent women. Doctor Strange, another Marvel hero, validates wizardry as a disciplined art form by blending intellectual pursuit and spiritual growth with Eastern and Western mysticism. As the Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Universe, his entire origin revolves around the idea that modern science and medicine fail to achieve what's possible through magic and mysticism. Similarly, the Broadway and recent film adaptation of "Wicked" reframe the Wicked Witch of the West as a revolutionary figure, offering a new, poignant commentary on how villainy is more commonly seen as a matter of perspective in recent years and a brilliant reflection of how social norms and accreditation processes drive conformity and deviance. These modern portrayals of witches and wizards align with broader societal movements and shifts in values toward inclusivity and dismantling rigid binaries of normalcy and moral deviance. They also reveal the nuanced perspective of morality in modern times. Where the belief isn't that all witches and wizards are inherently evil, but that there can be good witches and bad witches, heroic wizards, and evil sorcerers.
In my opinion, the Harry Potter series stands at the forefront of this evolution. Rowling’s world reimagines wizardry not as a feared or deviant practice, but as a metaphor for giftedness and diversity. The series offers a detailed exploration of explicit and implicit accreditation systems within the wizarding world, mirroring real-world dynamics of validation, stratification, and exclusion. From this point on, I'll be writing and reflecting on each of the Harry Potter books individually, though I will include pictures and clips from the movies, this will primarily be focused on the characters and events as they're depicted in the books, and the social implications from the perspective of the reader. But, I think it's important to note here how the films amplified and magnified the themes and narratives of the stories to reach an unprecedented level of global success, and their cultural contributions are the result of thousands of people, including the actors, directors, writers, producers, designers, etc, etc.
<also, spoiler warning>
Year One: The Sorcerer's Stone - The Power of Choice and Belonging
Harry's adoptive aunt and uncle, the Dursleys, set the stage for the discussion because they embody implicit societal sanctions in everything they do. Harry’s parents’ affiliation as magical witches and wizards leads the Dursleys to disassociate with Harry and the entire magical community. Harry’s neglect at their hands mirrors the experiences of many who are ostracized for being “different.” Of course, they never speak about what makes Harry different, so he's forced to endure this mistreatment in ignorance. But their disdain for Harry’s magical abilities reflects a broader discomfort with deviation from societal norms. The fear that he could jeopardize their social standing underscores how conformity pressure can transform paternal roles into authoritarian enforcers of societal norms. They conceal and punish Harry because he embodies a social sanction that would tarnish their mediocre reputation. Their fixation on conformity, seen in Vernon’s pride in his job and Petunia’s obsessive pursuit of a spotless home, underscores the significant influence of social capital tied to adhering to conventional norms and the pressure to conform. However, this doesn't justify their mistreatment of Harry.
The stark contrast between the Dursleys’ treatment of Harry and their son, Dudley, serves as a poignant illustration of the impact of accreditation in identity formation and its profound implications for social stigmas associated with labels and identities, particularly in the context of childhood development. Dudley, raised in a privileged environment, is adored by his parents. Conversely, Harry faces neglect and alienation, shaping his relationships and attachment styles. These experiences instill in Harry a profound sense of humility, as he finds himself in a master-slave dynamic, relying on those who mistreat and exploit him. Harry's later rejections of fame, authority, and conformity pressure are a direct result of this upbringing with the Dursley's and living in the shadow of Dudley.
Some of the most memorable moments of the first book (or movie) are when Harry receives validation for the first time. The infamous "Yer a wizard, Harry" from Hagrid is the first cue of peer acknowledgement Harry ever receives (aside from the "Thanksss, amigo," he gets when he accidentally frees a boa constrictor at the zoo.) His letter to Hogwarts is also the first formal recognition or honor he's ever been bestowed. These explicit and implicit validations are everything to a boy who had only ever experienced sanctions and punishments from the Dursleys. This is why I think Hagrid's relationship with Harry is one of the most important, and next to Hermione, he's one of my favorite characters.
Rubeus Hagrid, the lovable groundskeeper at Hogwarts, serves as our first bridge between the wizarding and Muggle worlds. His introduction to Harry positions him as a figure of validation through his affirming Harry’s true identity as a wizard. By revealing Harry’s magical heritage and recounting his past, Hagrid explicitly accredits him as a valued member of the wizarding community. This stands in stark contrast to the Dursleys, who implicitly and explicitly disapprove of Harry’s magical heritage by concealing it and treating him with disdain.
As an emissary of Dumbledore and Hogwarts, Hagrid’s arrival signals that Harry isn't just accepted but celebrated in the magical world. Hagrid’s warmth, humor, and indignation at Harry’s mistreatment serve as implicit validation of Harry’s worth. By bringing Harry a birthday cake and expressing outrage at the Dursleys’ cruelty, Hagrid implicitly signals to Harry that he deserves kindness and respect, challenging the narrative the Dursleys have imposed on him for his entire life.
Hagrid’s role as Harry’s first magical contact is transformative for several reasons. Firstly, Hagrid directly confronts and dismantles the Dursleys’ narrative about Harry’s insignificance, replacing it with an empowering new counter-narrative of being special. Hagrid’s anger at the Dursleys’ treatment of Harry (“yeh great prune”) serves as an explicit rejection of their implicit sanctions. His defense of Harry establishes him as an ally who will challenge societal mistreatment on Harry’s behalf, something Harry had never really had up until that point. Secondly, by handing Harry his letter and explaining his place at Hogwarts, Hagrid provides tangible proof of Harry’s magical accreditation. The Hogwarts letter is a formal acknowledgment of Harry’s magical identity. It represents the explicit accreditation Harry has been denied by the Dursleys and affirms his belonging to the wizarding world. It's also symbolic of Harry's hidden heritage, his parents James and Lily, and how Harry had been kept in the dark for so long about the true nature of their deaths. And lastly, Hagrid’s acceptance of Harry, despite his own marginalized status in the wizarding community (as a half-giant expelled from Hogwarts), models a more inclusive form of social validation that values deviance over conformity as well as individual potential over prejudice. Hagrid’s act of giving Dudley a pig’s tail (albeit hilarious) is a form of implicit sanctioning, signaling disapproval of the Dursleys’ favoritism and their cruelty to Harry. It acts as a symbolic reversal of the implicit validation Dudley receives for embodying their ideals. In the later books this act serves to remind the Dursleys of Harry's potential to jinx them with magic.
In introducing Harry to the wizarding world, Hagrid doesn’t just open a door to a new reality, he rewrites Harry’s understanding of himself. From here on, Harry’s entire journey through the wizarding world is, at its heart, a complex navigation of social validation and sanctions.
As “The Boy Who Lived,” Harry is explicitly accredited as a hero from the moment he enters the magical community. His survival against Voldemort as an infant places him on a pedestal, granting him immediate fame, admiration, and recognition. Even the gold in Harry’s Gringotts vault explicitly validate his family’s legacy and position him as a figure of respect within the wizarding community. However, all of this explicit validation comes with a heavy burden of expectations and implicit sanctions that permeate every stage of his life. From his first steps into Diagon Alley, Harry is thrust into the public eye, where strangers celebrate his existence without understanding the person behind the title. This explicit validation, while empowering in some moments, also isolates Harry. When he first meets Draco Malfoy in Madam Markin's shop, neither of the boys knows who the other is, but Draco immediately makes a bad first impression by boasting about his pure blood family and making fun of Hagrid. Draco’s initial attempt to befriend Harry and pull him into his social circle fails and over the course of their academic years, both boys escalate their rivalry, vying for social capital within their respective networks. Draco was raised very different from Harry. He was a spoiled aristocrat from a family of pure-blood supremacists. But this privilege comes with implicit expectations of loyalty and ruthlessness. As the series progresses, Draco’s growing discomfort with these expectations reveals the cost of his inherited accreditation.
When Harry meets Ron, he observes a different type of inherited accreditation within the magical community. Upon their first meeting, Harry stands up for him against Draco. This initial confrontation with Malfoy not only establishes the foundation of Harry and Ron’s friendship but also sets the stage for the many adventures and trials they will encounter together. Their friendship becomes a source of strength, allowing them to support one another through various trials, from classroom challenges to the darker threats they will face together in the wizarding world.
Ron’s journey is also marked by an ongoing struggle for validation. As the youngest son in a large, accomplished family, he often feels overshadowed by his siblings, whose successes are implicitly compared to his own. Bill is a high-achieving curse breaker, Percy a rule-following prefect, and Fred and George, despite being trouble-makers, are entrepreneurial prodigies with charisma to spare. These implicit comparisons, combined with his best-friendship with the famous Harry Potter, create a feedback loop of insecurity for Ron.
The Weasleys, though loving and resourceful, are also financially strained, which sets them apart in a society that highly values wealth and lineage. Ron’s hand-me-down robes, patched belongings, and lack of luxuries contrast sharply with the opulence displayed by other "pure-blood" families like the Malfoys. This financial disparity becomes a major source of insecurity for Ron, feeding his feelings of inadequacy. Despite these challenges, the Weasleys’ warmth and strong moral values instill in Ron a deep sense of loyalty, resilience, and resourcefulness. These traits, while sometimes masked by his jealousy or frustration, underpin his actions throughout the series and highlight the dignity and strength that can emerge from adversity.
On the train ride to Hogwarts, Harry meets several other characters who will later become his friends and classmates, most notably Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom.
Hermione’s exceptional intellect earns her explicit validation from teachers, particularly Professor McGonagall, and her peers, who rely on her for academic success and problem-solving. However, as a Muggle-born, she faces implicit biases, particularly from pure-blood supremacists like Draco, who resort to derogatory terms like “Mudblood” to undermine her magical achievements. Hermione is also much more emotionally mature than the boys and tends to pick up on subtle cues and implicit accreditation more than Harry and Ron. Hermione’s character arc is significantly shaped by the feedback loop between her explicit validation and implicit challenges. Her academic achievements boost her confidence and motivate her to advocate for systemic change, such as founding S.P.E.W. to fight for house elf rights. But, the implicit biases she faces as a “muggle-born” undermine her credibility. The fact that no one takes S.P.E.W. seriously underscores the limitations of formal recognition in addressing deep-seated social inequalities and driving meaningful change. Despite her accomplishments, Hermione’s physical appearance, characterized by frizzy hair and large buck-teeth, often leads to negative perceptions. This, coupled with her interest in studying and adhering to rules, makes her a target for bullying from other girls at Hogwarts. Even Harry and Ron mistreat her at times, but they eventually come to her aid after the troll incident.
The trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione is the most overt representation of the Rule of Three in the series. Each character embodies distinct strengths and weaknesses, creating a complementary dynamic that underscores the importance of collaboration and trust. Their distinct characteristics let them achieve success together where one alone might falter. As symbolically shown in the magical chess game in which each member of the trio plays a distinct role, Ron sacrifices himself as the knight, Hermione uses her intellect to plan, and Harry delivers the final move.
[during the final chess game; Harry looks around at the board]
Harry : Wait a minute!
Ron : You see it, don't you, Harry? Once I make my move, the Queen will take me. Then you're free to check the King.
Harry : No. Ron, NO!
Hermione : What is it?
Harry : He's going to sacrifice himself.
Hermione : No, you can't, there must be another way!
Ron : Do you want to stop Snape from getting that stone or not?
[Hermione looks stunned]
Ron : Harry, it's you that has to go on, I know it. Not me, not Hermione, YOU.Harry, the reluctant hero, is driven by his courage and unwavering moral conviction. Ron, the loyal best friend, is more grounded in humor and practicality. He symbolizes emotional support and the perspective of the ordinary person. In contrast, Hermione's the intellectual problem solver. She's guided by reason and knowledge and her propensity for preparation and precision. The trio’s complementary strengths also reflect broader themes of social accreditation: Harry’s fame is his explicit validation, Hermione’s intellect grants her implicit academic accreditation, and Ron’s loyalty highlights his struggle for recognition in a family and society overshadowed by others’ achievements. But even when Ron and Hermione aren’t around, Harry still finds help in groups of three. This reinforces the recurring Rule of Three as a theme and structure throughout the series. These triads usually consist of mentors, allies, or magical artifacts that guide or assist Harry. This shows how collaboration, complementary strengths, and shared purpose are important.
In the train car, Harry also meets Neville while he’s searching for his toad, Trevor. Despite being sorted into Gryffindor, Neville initially appears as a shy, clumsy, and introverted boy. His grandmother frequently belittles him, telling him he’s not good enough or living up to his parents’ accomplishments. However, as he matures, he shows bravery and defiance by standing up for his friends and later confronting the death-eaters, ultimately contributing to the victory of Dumbledore’s Army. In Ron and Hermione's absence, Neville's part (in a seperate trio with Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood) comes into sharper focus later in book four, during the deadly battle at the Department of Mysteries, where their loyalty and bravery help Harry face overwhelming odds. Once established at Hogwarts, Harry is both revered and envied, with students like Malfoy resenting his status while others seem to want to align themselves with him for clout. The fame he didn't ask for becomes a double-edged sword as he's celebrated as a savior yet expected to embody the ideals of bravery, selflessness, and leadership at every turn.
Throughout his first year, professors like McGonagall provide him with subtle, implicit validation, nurturing his sense of belonging without overwhelming him with his fame. Snape, on the other hand, constantly uses implicit sanctions to single Harry out for ridicule and shows favoritism against him, which mirrors Draco’s antagonism. This establishes an early pattern of schismogenesis, where Harry’s interactions with authority figures become a battleground for implicit and explicit validation. Additionally, it demonstrates another application of the Rule of Three through Harry’s adversaries in each book. Throughout the series, Harry's enemies appear in triads that represent various forms of authority or power. For instance, in book one, Harry’s three antagonists are Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, and Voldemort (through Professor Quirrel). These triads create a layered perspective on conflict and are subtle reflections of conflict across different levels of societal organization.
Despite the rivalries with his Syltherin haters, Harry really is THAT guy in the Gryffindor House during his first year. He receives immediate explicit validation from peers like Neville, Seamus, and Dean, who all view him as a legendary figure. But when he demonstrates his natural talent on a broomstick and is appointed Gryffindor House Seeker, it’s a significant validation for something that Harry can genuinely feel proud of. Being selected for the team and given the role of seeker is Harry’s first genuine opportunity to prove himself, apart from the legacy he inherited from the death of his parents to Voldemort. As he excels in Quidditch and demonstrates his bravery in various situations, his popularity soars, and he's celebrated as a hero among his classmates, especially when he helps to win the House cup.
Harry’s defeat of Professor Quirrell at the climax of the story is his first significant act of heroism in the wizarding world. Though the full scope of Voldemort’s return isn't yet realized, Harry’s ability to thwart the dark wizard’s plans earns him explicit recognition from the school's Headmaster, Dumbledore. This accomplishment, however, also reinforces Harry’s connection to his fame as the "Boy Who Lived" and places additional expectations on him, foreshadowing the burden of responsibility he will carry throughout the rest of the series. Although his victory earns him explicit validation as a courageous and capable young wizard, this validation is really only shared between Hermione, Ron, and Dumbledore. In reality, it’s their role in securing Gryffindor’s victory in the House Cup that solidifies his implicit standing among the entire school, marking his transition from an outsider to a celebrated member of the Hogwarts family.
At the end-of-year feast, Gryffindor lags behind Slytherin in points, with the House Cup seemingly destined to remain in Slytherin hands for the seventh consecutive year. However, Dumbledore awards last-minute points to Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Neville for their bravery, intelligence, and loyalty during their quest to protect the Philosopher’s Stone. This moment brings Gryffindor its first House Cup victory in years, setting the stage for the ongoing rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin. But also establishing Harry as a celebrated figure among his housemates, and a central figure in the inter-house competition that permeates the series.
Yet, as Harry’s fame grows, so do the expectations people have of him, which only makes people, like Malfoy and even a few of his friends, jealous and resentful. People don’t just see Harry as a rival; they see him as a symbol and implicitly hate the attention he gets because of it. Of course, to Harry, he's just trying to fit in. But it seems like the more he tries to learn about the wizarding world and his own past, the more trouble and conflict seems to find him. He’s constantly accused of seeking fame, and at the same time, him always being a target increases his notoriety. When he expresses any vulnerability or uncertainty, he’s usually met with skepticism or frustration because others perceive him more as a symbol than a person. This is frustrating for Harry because he’s naturally so unaware of magical things, but everyone always seems surprised to discover that he doesn’t know what certain things are or how they work in the wizarding world. This disparity is particularly evident in the first four books, where Harry’s popularity fluctuates wildly between being the most popular and the most despised wizard in the school.
Year Two: The Chamber of Secrets - The Dangers of Prejudice and Identity
Harry’s second year at Hogwarts deepens the tension between explicit validation and implicit alienation as he grapples with his emerging identity and the stratified nature of the wizarding society. The legend of Salazar Slytherin and the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets introduces new pressures, forcing Harry to navigate new doubts cast by his peers, the weight of his fame, and the implications of his connection to Voldemort. This book playfully explores the complexities of fame and validation through Harry’s encounters with characters like Gilderoy Lockhart and Tom Riddle. Lockhart, who embodies the unwanted attention and fame Harry receives due to unmerited reasons, hides his true self, mirroring Harry’s own struggle to understand his identity. On the other hand, Riddle's character fascinates Harry due to their shared experiences as half-blood orphans raised by muggles. Additionally, Riddle’s accreditation as prefect and Head Boy validates his actions and credibility when framing Hagrid, leading Harry to begin to suspect Hagrid.
This dichotomy is also evident in Harry’s interactions with Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy. These characters demonstrate how explicit, accredited roles and bureaucratic relationships can contrast sharply with implicit social attitudes and the behaviors of individuals. They also serve as a reflection of the books’ exploration of morality, justice, and ethics. Mr. Weasley, a ministry official responsible for enforcing standards and rules to prevent the misuse of magic on Muggle artifacts, ironically gets exposed for jinxing his family’s car. On the other hand, Lucius Malfoy uses their confrontation in the bookshop to conceal the diary on Ginny in an attempt to discredit Arthur Weasley and evade ministry raids that could potentially expose his role as a Death Eater.
Meanwhile, Harry’s rivalry with Draco intensifies. Malfoy, whose family history also ties him to Slytherin’s legacy, manages to secure a spot on the Slytherin quidditch team using his father’s financial backing; putting him directly at odds with Harry as their Seeker. Draco’s taunts about Harry’s association with “mudbloods” like Hermione escalates their tensions, reinforcing their oppositional roles within Hogwarts’ stratified social networks. This is further compounded by the fact that the chamber is supposedly inhabited by a monster that can only be controlled by the Heir of Slytherin and that exclusively targets Muggle-born students.
When Harry’s ability to speak Parseltongue is revealed during a Defense Against the Dark Arts duel with Draco, it becomes a tremendous source of implicit sanction from his schoolmates, while also undermining his reputation as a hero. His survival against Voldemort, which was once a point of fascination for everyone now raises suspicion, as many students equate Parseltongue with dark magic and evil intentions. Students like Justin Finch-Fletchley begin to fear Harry and spread more speculative narratives amongst the other students, illustrating how the implicit biases tied to Voldemort’s legacy destabilize Harry’s explicit validation as a symbol of hope. The rumors surrounding Harry’s potential as the heir of Slytherin highlight how implicit societal judgments can isolate and stigmatize.
Harry’s struggle to distance himself from this label mirrors his larger battle against being defined solely by his connection to Voldemort. This book thematically emphasizes that Harry’s identity is shaped by his choices rather than any inherent aspects of his birth. But, his actions and behaviors are always influenced by the accredited alienation resulting from his symbolic association with Voldemort. In this book, Harry’s true heroic identity is formed as he confronts the moral ambiguity of the world and grapples with the possibility that he may not be the hero everyone expects him to be. The Chamber of Secrets also underscores the perils of conformity pressure, as both Harry and Ginny Weasley struggle with their identities and face manipulation from others because they can’t meet societal expectations. The possession of Ginny by Tom Riddle’s diary serves as a cautionary tale about the book’s exploration of manipulation and identity. It highlights how the desire for validation can lead to exploitation. For Ginny, the diary provides both explicit and implicit validation. As the youngest of seven children, she grapples with feelings of insignificance, which are further compounded by her romantic crush on Harry. Consequently, she fears implicit sanctions from her brothers’ teasing and feels isolated at Hogwarts, having no one to confide in. The diary offers her a confidant who attentively listens and validates her fears and frustrations.
However, this validation becomes a trap; it isolates Ginny from her family and friends, leaving her susceptible to Riddle’s control. Riddle’s clever manipulation also exploits Harry’s curiosity and insecurities, drawing parallels between their experiences as orphaned, half-blood wizards alienated from their respective communities. Though Riddle’s narrative frames him as a victim of circumstance, his actions reveal how alienation can lead to a dangerous pursuit of power and control. The diary forces Harry to confront the possibility that he could be defined by Voldemort’s legacy, a fear that motivates his determination to choose his own path. In the end, Harry’s eventual victory over the basilisk and the destruction of Riddle’s diary reinforce his heroic status. Later, Dumbledore explicitly validates Harry’s bravery by noting the defining traits of Gryffindor, which Harry exemplifies by risking his life to save Ginny Weasley.
Throughout this book, Harry’s growing bond with mentor figures like Hagrid and Dumbledore balances the alienation he feels from other students. Hagrid’s unwavering loyalty and Dumbledore’s implicit trust serve as a foundation of Harry’s moral compass, teaching him that sometimes rules are meant to be broken for good reasons and instilling in him the virtue of kindness towards all creatures. This influence plays a significant role in the plot, particularly in his interactions with Fawkes the Phoenix and Arogog the Spider. It also leads to his triumphant victory and his surprising plan to liberate Dobby the house-elf from his servitude to the Malfoys. Dobby’s warnings throughout the story introduce Harry to the pervasive inequalities of the wizarding world. At first, Harry finds Dobby frustrating, but he eventually empathizes with Dobby’s plight. By freeing Dobby at the end of the book, Harry explicitly validates the elf’s autonomy, setting a precedent for his ongoing commitment to challenging injustice and establishing Dobby as a loyal and faithful ally in the fight to come.
The book lays critical groundwork for Harry’s growth as a leader who values courage, loyalty, and justice. In navigating the prejudices, rivalries, and alliances that define his second year at Hogwarts, Harry gains a deeper understanding of the wizarding world’s complexities, shaping his ability to face greater challenges in the series. These interactions reinforce his core identity as a hero defined not by reputation or privilege, but by his choices and moral convictions. Still, we will see that validation, sanctions and reputation greatly influence Harry's behavior and actions in the books to come.
Year Three: The Prisoner of Azkaban - The Complexity of Justice and Redemption
By the time we reach the Prisoner of Azkaban, the fluctuations in Harry's popularity become even more pronounced. The story begins with Harry enduring a deeply uncomfortable summer at the Dursleys. Aunt Marge’s visit and her insults about Harry’s parents push him to the breaking point, triggering an uncontrolled burst of magic. His accidental use of magic is explicitly forbidden under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and it leaves Harry expecting severe consequences, including expulsion from Hogwarts. His reaction reflects his developing understanding of the wizarding world’s rigid rules and the consequences of violating them. When Harry flees the Dursleys and is later confronted by Cornelius Fudge in Diagon Alley, the Ministry’s reaction surprises him. Instead of punishment, Harry receives reassurance and leniency, with Fudge casually dismissing the incident as a harmless mistake. This reversal of expectations explicitly validates Harry’s actions, but the motivations behind this validation aren't rooted in fairness, but in institutional bias. The Ministry’s decision is driven by their fear of Sirius Black and their desire to protect Harry, not by a genuine commitment to justice or equity.
Harry’s interactions with his peers in year three are shaped by a mix of camaraderie, rivalry, and tension. His reputation is complicated by the revelation of Sirius Black's connection to his past. The attacks on his life and the lockdown of Hogwarts bring about a mix of fear and fascination among his peers. Some admire him for his bravery in facing the unknown, while others are wary of the danger that seems to always follow him. His rivalry with Draco escalates to physical altercations, as both boys vie for dominance in their social hierarchies. This competition is further mediated by authority figures like Snape, who continues to use implicit sanctions to undermine Harry, and the introduction of Professor Lupin, whose explicit mentorship helps Harry refine his sense of self-worth. Lupin’s approach to teaching stands in stark contrast to Snape’s antagonistic style, as he balances discipline with understanding. He introduces Harry to practical skills, like the Patronus Charm, while simultaneously sharing stories about Harry’s parents, particularly his father’s role within their group of friends. Through Lupin and Snape, Harry learns about James’ rebellious streak and leadership, which both validates and complicates Harry’s perception of his father.
This deeper understanding of his father’s friendships, as the Marauders, marks a significant shift in Harry’s journey during his third year. Lupin’s revelations about James challenge Harry to grapple with the tension between conformity and deviance, as he begins to see how his father and his friends balanced rule-breaking with loyalty and purpose. These insights also inspire Harry to question the rigid expectations of authority figures like Snape and Cornelius Fudge, encouraging him to forge his own path and define his identity beyond the shadow of being "the Boy Who Lived." The entire interplay between characters like Lupin, Sirius, Wormtail (Peter Pettigrew), and Snape each represent different facets of how people are judged within the wizarding world, and underscores the novel’s complex exploration of morality and the blurred lines between good and evil. Lupin, despite his wisdom and compassion, is subjected to prejudice due to his status as a werewolf. Sirius, a man wrongfully accused and imprisoned, carries the weight of a tarnished reputation, with his name synonymous with betrayal until the truth about Wormtail emerges. Wormtail, meanwhile, manipulates collective illusions in perceptions of events to evade accountability by using his unassuming demeanor to conceal his treachery. Snape’s loyalty to Dumbledore and the fight against Voldemort positions him on the side of good, but his treatment of Harry and his personal vendettas align him more closely with the pettiness and cruelty of the dark wizards. This contrast complicates Harry’s understanding of morality, as he witnesses the ways Snape’s actions are shaped by both legitimate grievances and deep-seated biases. The wizarding world’s tendency to judge characters like Sirius, Lupin, and even Snape based on reputation and speculation illustrates the novel’s broader theme: the danger of relying on appearances or incomplete narratives to define people. Harry’s own judgments evolve over the course of the book as he learns the truth about the Marauders, Sirius’s innocence, and Wormtail’s betrayal. This journey forces Harry to navigate the nuances of loyalty, justice, and the capacity for both redemption and deceit within each person, pushing him toward a more mature and complex understanding of good and evil.
The trial and sentencing of Buckbeak the hippogriff happens parallel to Sirius’s story, highlighting the fragility and arbitrariness of the wizarding world’s systems of justice. Buckbeak’s altercation with Draco Malfoy, though minor and provoked, results in a highly publicized trial driven by Lucius Malfoy’s influence. The sentencing reflects how explicit sanctions can be manipulated by those in power, disregarding fairness or evidence in favor of maintaining control and protecting privilege. For Harry and his friends, the injustice of Buckbeak’s case deepens their understanding of the systemic flaws in the wizarding world. Hermione’s relationship with Harry is tested by her growing sense of responsibility and her differing priorities. Hermione takes on an overwhelming academic workload by secretly using the time-turner, which not only isolates her but also makes her more pragmatic and risk-averse in certain situations. But her insistence on following the rules, such as reporting Harry’s receipt of the Firebolt broomstick, creates tension between them. Despite these challenges, Hermione’s loyalty to Harry is unwavering throughout this entire novel. She proves her dedication by helping Hagrid defend Buckbeak during the hippogriff’s trial and ultimately stands by Harry during the time-turner mission to save Sirius and Buckbeak. This explicit and implicit validation of Harry’s judgment and character helps repair their relationship, reinforcing Hermione’s role as a grounding force in Harry’s life. The conflict between Scabbers and Crookshanks also creates friction between Ron and Hermione. Ron’s frustration over the threat her cat, Crookshanks poses to his rat Scabbers leads to lingering resentment between them, complicating the trio’s dynamic and leaving Harry caught in the middle. Harry lashes out against Ron and Hermione a lot in this book, especially when they're arguing. But Ron’s loyalty to Harry, remains steadfast, particularly when he defends Harry against Sirius Black before learning the truth about his innocence. Ron’s courageous attempt to protect Harry by placing himself between him and the presumed threat of Sirius underscores the depth of his loyalty. The eventual revelation that Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew, and not a harmless pet, resolves much of the tension between Ron and Hermione and also strengthens Ron’s trust in Harry’s judgment.
When Dumbledore instructs Harry and Hermione to use the time-turner to save Sirius and Buckbeak, his guidance is deliberately vague, relying on their ability to interpret his intentions. This act of entrusting two students with a highly dangerous and complex task, reinforces their sense of agency and responsibility. It also reflects Dumbledore’s broader philosophy of empowering others to make their own choices, which is a recurring theme throughout the series. By providing only the necessary tools and leaving the rest to their judgment, he demonstrates confidence in their abilities. This trust contrasts sharply with the Ministry’s heavy-handed approach, highlighting the difference between fostering empowerment and enforcing control. Harry and Hermione’s success in rescuing Sirius and Buckbeak validates Dumbledore’s approach, proving that trust and autonomy can yield meaningful change. Harry’s eventual bond with Sirius, however, reflects a process of reintegration through implicit validation.
Sirius’s belief in Harry’s capabilities and shared experiences of loss create a complementary dynamic that bolsters Harry’s identity as part of a legacy larger than himself. Together with the lessons learned from Lupin, this relationship reinforces Harry’s understanding of the power of friendship and solidarity. There’s a brief moment near the end of this book when Harry and his friends discover Sirius’ innocence and Harry genuinely believes that he’ll finally have a home with his Godfather, free from the Dursleys’. However, this dream of a better life is almost immediately shattered by Snape’s interference and Sirius’ forced return to the run. This disappointing turn deeply affects Harry’s perception of Snape, which is further complicated by Snape’s meddling in getting Lupin fired. Despite these setbacks, Harry still receives letters from Sirius and even a written statement granting him permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends. This allows Harry to participate in activities with his friends without the restrictions imposed by the school.
By the end of The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry's reached a turning point. For the first time, he has encountered a parental figure who truly wanted to care for him. Although Sirius is alive and the truth is revealed, he remains a fugitive, and Harry's left to grapple with the realization that justice in the wizarding world is deeply flawed. At the same time, Harry’s actions have set him apart. He actively challenges authority, bends rules to seek his own version of the truth, and begins to internalize that the institutions meant to protect and guide him; Hogwarts, the Ministry, even Dumbledore at times, are imperfect at best and negligent at worst. This duality within Harry—his deep sense of responsibility versus his growing disillusionment with authority—sets the stage for his journey in The Goblet of Fire and the remaining books.
Stay tuned for the second part in this series, detailing books 4-6!
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