Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2005

Harry Potter and the deconstruction of childhood

Dr Karen McGavock

In this paper, attempts will be made to analyse the representation of childhood and adulthood in the Harry Potter series thus far. The reflexive relationship between childhood and adulthood will be explored, against the background of changes in today's society. The books provide an interesting vantage point from which to trace Harry Potter's development from childhood (we first meet him at age eleven) to adulthood (when he leaves school aged eighteen), enabling the transition to be followed through in the seven book series. It also provides a useful forum in which to consider "a whole raft of issues around childhood, adulthood and the boundaries in between" (Blake, 2002, pp93-94).

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