Some people aren't going to like this but whatever:
We need to understand that some of the character development in the harry potter series comes from Jkrs bigotry and prejudices.
Harry stayed with their relatives because Jkr had a very specific model of family in mind and the non normative family models weren't considered good for her.
Remus Lupin's condition was a metaphor for aids and his character and Greyback's were portrayed as the duality: the bad werewolf who targets children on purpose, and the good werewolf that doesn't trust himself to be around children. Which is just another derogatory analogy to emphasize that even good people with a disease aren't good enough to be in society.
âThis thing really annoys me because Remus was one of the best teachers and had the potential to be the emotionally stable character that provides a safe space for young people (a safe space that he only had with the marauders when he was younger) and helps to combat the idea that discriminated people (an queer people) shouldn't be around kids (The prisoner of Azkaban could have end with all the students fighting to keep Remus as a teacher, even as a tutor or something but noooo). Also him staying in Hogwarts and watching Dumbledore's behaviour towards Harry the next years maybe would have made him change his point of view or even make him doubt if that approach was the correct one with a kid (obviously I would have love for him and Sirius to adopt Harry but not everyone thinks the same).
Every woman got villanaized without exception. The ones that were "too feminine" even when they were teenagers were treated poorly as well as the older masculine woman. Rita Skeeter was described as an older woman with masculine traits targeting minors (which could be read as if you aren't portraying traditional roles you're a threat for children and society too).
Womanhood was only represented by the evolution of the madonna whore complex: craziness or motherhood. The ones that were in the mother role were the good ones and the ones that ended being too awkward, too weird or too crazy were villains. Even Hermione ends up constrained in the mother role and Tonks (who was a really good potential for a non conforming character) has the same end, but even before that she was placed in the big sis role with Ginny and Hermione.
The lack of poc characters is disappointing but the way their personalities are based on racist stereotypes and prejudices is disgusting. Not only the names but the way they could have had a major role in the series and explore a different ending or evolution thanks to their experiences bothers me so much. Kingsley was a great wizard and could have done more things than "follow Dumbledore's last instructions". As an outsider from Harry's family group he could have seen the things way more objectively and argued that maybe a 16 yo child wasn't safe enough and that the whole plan had so many holes. Also him befriending Remus could have had a major impact in the way werewolves are seen and, again, as an outsider from the marauders group, make him see that he was worth it of love and compassion. But no, Kingsley was just there to be the poc character with good morals on screen with 0 character development.
Cho (omg I despise the way she was written and treated) could have been the "emotions are valid" character that pushes their mates to confront their fears. She was placed in Ravenclaw just because of the "smart Asian" stereotype, but as Cedric's love interest it could have had more sense for her to be in Hufflepuff (they shared a common room so they had things in common and spent time together). And in the fifth book, while she was in mourning she could have been a decisive element for Harry's feelings to not be hidden. We all know Harry had severe emotional problems and a character embracing their own and helping a friend to express more than anger would have been so important, especially for a kid that was treated almost as an adult because he was the key for an imminent war. So this bonding could have been a really good one, and with Luna's appearance the stereotypical trio could have had a better relationship with femininity and softness (a thing that could have helped Ron's and Hermione's insecurities too) and Harry could have learnt how to recognise and comfort his two best friends feelings.
I could keep putting examples but I don't want to make this too long. If you're interested in a deeper and extended explanation let me know <3
izzy806
amandla
dailybridgerton
discoholicmusic
