Unmarginalising the Child in Harry Potter – with Reference to the Mythology of Innocent Childhood

Abstract

The mythology of innocent childhood has created a cultural image of children that denies them their individual agency and often leads to their marginalisation. In recent decades, academic research has been working extensively on addressing and critiquing such myths. Although Rowling’s widely popular Harry Potter series noticeably aims to undermine assumptions of mythic childhood innocence in the literary sphere, there has been no comprehensive discussion that would connect Harry Potter with ideas that seek to challenge assumptions about “the innocent child”. Providing such analysis – and advocating the emancipation of children in the process – is the aim of this contribution.