A Feminist Approach to Hermione Granger in Harry Potter 从女性主义视角解读《哈利波特》中的赫敏•格兰杰文献综述

 2023-05-06 09:05

文献综述

1. Introduction1.1 Research backgroundJoanne K. Rowling (1965-) is a British fantasy fiction writer, whose Harry Potter series has made her a world-renowned novelist and recipient of the National Book Award for Childrens Fiction. Rowling recalled that she was a typical bookish teenager - short, fat, with thick glasses, living in fantasy, constantly writing stories, and sometimes forcing her poor sister to listen to her and play games she made up. At the University of Exeter, where she majored in French and classics, she had an indomitable passion for fantasy and some of her college classmates described her as a visionary. Before writing Harry Potter, she worked as an office clerk and wrote many novels, which havent been published till today. When she was on the train to London in the summer of 1990, a boy with a broken black pair of glasses and a supply scar on his forehead came to her mind, who became the prototype of Harry Potter 7 years later.Rowling loves reading, always paying special attention to the female characters. She admires Jessica Mitfords idealism and courage, especially her strong feminine qualities. In Mitfords books, there are a considerable number of women who defy their fathers, finding their own dreams and pursuing their own beliefs. They provide examples for Rowling to create female characters. Whats more, her beloved English teacher, Lucy Sheffield, is a staunch supporter of the second wave of the feminist movement, which lays the foundation for Rowlings feminist thoughts.Harry Potter tells the story of a young boy, Harry Potter, who survives because his mother protects him with love and becomes the only one who can save the magical world. In the process of learning and growing up with his best friends Ron and Hermione, he experiences many setbacks and challenges, and finally finds the Horcrux and defeats Voldemort. The story is set in a wizarding world that coexists with the Muggle world. Women can play any roles that men can, and the opportunities between them are equal. As one of Harry Potters best friends, Hermione was able to play to her strengths and receive timely encouragement and praise at every turn. Feminism is a social theory to end sexism, sexual exploitation, discrimination and oppression, and promote equality of sexual classes. As a branch of western philosophical thinking, it is the product of the conflict between the western patriarchal culture and the individualized development of western society. It has gone through three waves that focus not only on womens issues but also on a series of related issues, such as human rights and environmental protection. In these three waves, women gained voting rights, preliminary equality in law and society, and equality between the sexes involving race, religion and other issues. Through the investigation of Hermione Grangers feminist thoughts in Harry Potter, we can find how this girl grows into a woman of pursuing independence and equality, which can provide inspiration for contemporary women to fight for their own rights.1.2 Literature review Harry Potter has aroused the attention of many scholars at home and abroad. There are seven essays focusing on the analysis of myths and archetypes (Colbert, 2002; Hunter, 2011) and characterization (Berndt amp; Steveker, 2011). Mayes (2006) discusses sexism inherent in Harry Potter, pointing out that the heroes are the focus of the event, but they do not stereotype women. Cordova (2015) believes that Harry is not a totally reliable narrator because he cant give objective descriptions of the women around him. Greif (2015) analyzes Hermiones spiritual help and Professor McGonagalls financial help to Harry, which reveals Rowlings challenge of gender stereotypes. Since its Chinese version was published in 2000, researchers have discussed Harry Potter from diversified perspectives, including narratological features (Li amp; Yan, 2006). In addition, three essays conduct a feminist analysis. J. Zhou (2008) cites Simone de Beauvoirs and Virginia Woolfs theories on feminism to interpret Rowlings portrait of Hermione, who is clever but socially marginalized, for she cannot enjoy equality in the actual world. Conversely, this thesis will study how she receives equal education, enjoys equal status in race and the society. Another two essays study Harry Potter from the perspective of ecofeminism. Both Mu (2015) and X. X. Li (2019) discuss the value and similarities of women and nature suffering the oppression in the patriarchal world. Mu (2015) centers on the symbolic, experiential and status relationship between the two, and the resistance of them. X. X. Li (2019) focuses on the analysis of values and commonness between them and shows their resistance through the interpretation of Harry. Different from these two essays, this thesis will interpret the oppression Hermione has suffered, but the focus is on how she achieves equality and independence.The previous review focuses on the relationship between women and nature and the oppression they have suffered. However, there are still some problems worth studying. On the other, as the research direction is relatively limited, there is still a broad space for feminist research. On the other, most of the previous studies focus on the simultaneous analysis of several female characters in one article, thereby lacking depth. Therefore, this thesis will analyze Hermiones feminist thoughts from the perspective of equality and independence. 1.3 Purpose of the studyIn terms of the purpose of the study, first of all, this thesis can offer a very convincing sample for the study of feminism. Secondly, it is of practical significance. On the one hand, it helps to cultivate feminist thoughts. Hermione is the perfect embodiment of independent women, whose thoughts can inspire contemporary women to break the shackles of patriarchy. On the other hand, it helps to accelerate the realization of equal rights for women. By studying Hermiones quest for equality, it calls for gender equality in the world. 2. The theory of feminismThis section will discuss the origin, development, main concepts and influences of feminism.2.1 Origin and developmentThe development of feminism has gone through three waves. Before the first wave of the large-scale rise of feminism, there were already scattered feminist ideas and representatives in the West. In the 17th century, Mary Astell was the most radical and systematic feminist of her time, and her actions were also known as the first slightly large-scale feminist protests in England. In the 1790s, many womens clubs sprang up in Paris, demanding education and employment. The leader of one club issued The declaration of the rights of woman and the female citizen, arguing that freedom, equality, and fairness should not be limited to men.It is now widely accepted that the first wave of feminism (1860s-1920s) is about equal political rights with men. During this period, the most famous leader is Mary Wollstonecraft who demands equal civil rights and political rights and emphasizes that there is no difference between the sexes in intelligence and ability. In addition, there is a unique representative of the first wave of feminism, John Stuart Mill, who calmly analyzes the social reasons why women experience inequality. The results of the first wave are womens access to voting rights, employment rights and education.The main goal of the second-wave feminism (1960s-1080s) is to criticize sexism, gender discrimination and male privilege. It is believed that women should have equal rights to work and education. De Beauvoir, the author of The second sex, proposes the concept of other and believes that childbirth is the direct cause of womens enslavement. This view is consistent with Shulamith Firestones thought. Both of them consider that only by reconstructing the biological mechanism of reproduction can women be finally liberated. In 1966, the National Organization for Woman was founded in the United States. Its core tenet is that women must have the opportunity to fully develop their potentials. Since then, other mass womens organizations have mushroomed around the world, making significant contributions to fighting for womens equal rights and promoting their liberation.The third wave of feminism (1980s till now), coined by Rebecca Walker in Becoming the third wave, is generated under the stimulation of the anti-feminist movement. It is the fight to uphold and defend the achievements of the second wave of feminism, also the new battle to surpass the second wave of feminism. The third wave of feminism, with its distinctive post-structuralism and post-colonialism theories, aims to deconstruct the mainstream theories of the second wave of feminism to certain extent, and shifts the focus to issues that have been ignored or despised before, including race, religion and sexual orientation. Bell Hooks, one of the leading figures, is exactly famous for her analysis of such issues.2.2 Main conceptsThere are many concepts in feminism, including equality, independence, freedom and self-worth. In view of the discussion of equality and independence in this thesis, this section will focus on these two concepts. 2.2.1 EqualityEquality means that social subjects are in the same position in social relations and social life. People have the same development opportunities and enjoy the same rights. As a basic value of freedom, equality can be reflected in educational, political and economic opportunities.In terms of education equality, recognizing that women cannot avoid being oppressed in a patriarchal society, Beauvoir (1949/2011) proposes a three-step strategy and she mentions the need to have knowledge. Hooks (1981) continues the emphasis of traditional feminism on education and puts forward that women should develop their critical and critical thinking ability while improving themselves.From the perspective of politics and economy, Mill (1869/1999) points out that society must provide women with the same political rights and economic opportunities, believing that they should strive for their own value of life instead of limiting themselves biologically. Mitchell (1966) further emphasizes the importance of equality in politics and economy, arguing that what really caused the unequal status of women was social compulsion. She holds the idea that women were qualified to hold any job, including high level jobs with favorable conditions.Equality between men and women contributes to the perfection of human social relations and harmonious development of society and gives full play to the advantages of both. In Harry Potter, Hermione actively obtains knowledge and strives for educational equality for herself. At the same time, she focuses on the vulnerable groups, and helps them obtain equal social rights.2.2.2 IndependenceIndependence means that one relies on ones own strength to do things and is not attached or subordinate in a relationship. It is usually divided into economic independence and spiritual independence. Economic independence means that an individual has his or her own job or other source of income and is financially self-sufficient. Spiritual independence means that the individual can make free choices after thinking independently and be responsible for these choices.Beauvoir (1949/2011) points out an important part of her three-step strategy: always work even if work is exploited in a capitalist society. In her idea, only when achieving true economic independence, can women show self-confidence. Mitchell (1966) reveals that the idea of womens subordinate status is deeply rooted, and they can only get spiritual independence by emancipating her spirit. Jagger (1983) also says that the reason for womens inferiority lies in the fact that the discourse power and thoughts of society are set by men.While writing Harry Potter, Rowling goes through a divorce and raises her daughter alone. She hasnt complained about it because economic independence is of great importance in her mind. This is why she portrays Hermione as being brave enough to move forward and her economic and spiritual independence makes her well respected and cherished by everyone.2.3 InfluencesIn terms of influence, firstly, feminism has been advancing in recent years, whose constant differentiation and evolution have brought about many theories, such as gender development theory. As a result, the domestic feminism changes from a single female perspective into a plurality of gender perspectives so that the breadth and depth of domestic literary criticism are broadened.Secondly, it has changed the current situation of criticism which is considered the mainstream of masculinity. In traditional literary criticism, men hold the power of discourse while women are mere spectators rather than participants. The development of feminism has fully affirmed the advantages of womens creation and provided a way for them to get equality. Finally, the development of feminism has opened the way of literary criticism in the study of female images. It can provide critics a new perspective for reading traditional literary works through the interpretation of female images under the pen of male writers.ReferencesBeauvoir, S. D. (1949/2011). The second sex. New York: Vintage Books.Berndt, K., amp; Steveker, L. (2011). Heroism in the Harry Potter series. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited.Colbert, D. (2002). The magical worlds of Harry Potter: A treasury of myths, legends, and fascinating facts. New York: Berkeley Books.Cordova, M. J. (2015). Because Im a girl, I suppose!: Gender lines and narrative perspective in Harry Potter. Mythlore, 33(2): 19-33.Eisler, R. (1998). The chalice and the blade. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.Heilman, E. E. (2008). Critical perspectives on Harry Potter. New York: Routledge.Hooks, B. (1981). Aint I a woman: Black women and feminism. New York: Routledge.Hunter, C. A. (2011). Myths and archetypes in The lord of the rings and Harry Potter. GER: Lambert Academic Publishing.Greif, J. (2015). The women in Harry Potters world: A feminist perspective. Canyon: West Texas Aamp;M University.Jagger, A. M. (1983). Feminist polities and human nature. New Jersey: The Harvester Press.Mayes, E. R. (2006). Females and Harry Potter: Not all that empowering. Washington: Rowman amp; Littlefield Publishers.Mikulan, K. (2009). Harry Potter through the focus of feminist literary theory: Examples of (un)founded criticism. Journal of international social research, 2(9): 288.Mill, J. S. (1869/1999). On liberty and on the subjection of women. Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University. Ming, H. L. (2010). Fitting the glass slipper: A comparative study of the princess role in the Harry Potter novels and films. Fort Collins: Colorado Utah State University Press.Mitchell, J. (1966). Women, the longest revolution. New Left Review, (1), 11-37. ProQuest. Retrieved January 11, 2022, from mitchell-1966.pdf (wordpress.com)Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the philosophers stone. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Rowling, J. K. (1998). Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Rowling, J. K. (1999). Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Rowling, J. K. (2007). Harry Potter and the deathly hallow. 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