AboutQueenAries Expertise I can answer any question at all on the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. I can only answer questions on the books, not the author, movie or any financial proceedings/takeovers instigated by Warner Bros.
Experience I used to work in a library, now work in a book shop, and have read the Harry Potter series cover to cover countless times.
Expert: QueenAries Date: 1/21/2005 Subject: Extended Essay on Harry Potter
Question Hello. My name is Nina Javier and I am currently attending Father Lacombe Highschool. My school has a program called the International Baccalaureate (IB) where certain academic students may take advanced classes. Given a time frame of a about a year (we were just given the information, and was told that it would be due next year around this time), IB students are required to write an Extended Essay concerning any topic of choice to which can be related to one of the core subjects -- Math, Science, Social and English. I have chosen to write an English paper concerning my favorite book/s Harry Potter. I was wondering if you could advice me on what topic of Harry Potter I should explore. My teacher mentioned that our papers should explore a topic that "can be proven". I would appreciate it if you could tell me your opinion on this matter. If you would like more information, visit these sites if you have the time.
What an involved, but interesting, assignment. I'll give you two ideas, things that I myself have been meaning to research but haven't had the time.
1. Most of J K Rowling's characters in Harry Potter have names derived from pagan or mythological sources. For example, the word 'Dumbledore' is a very old English word used over here for 'bumblebee'. Take five or six names, from key characters, explore their sources and reflect on what effect Rowling intended these names to have on the characters themselves. Within this, you could discuss the primary archetypes portrayed by these characters (Minerva as wise teacher, etc.) and note readers' reactions to these archetypes;
2. Discuss the generic conventions of Harry Potter as epic fantasy. Read up about Fantasy as a populist genre (a good one is "Fantasy: The Literature of Subversion" by Rosemary Jackson) and explain, illustrated with examples, just why Harry Potter is classed as a fantasy series.
Good luck with it, and let me know how it gets on.
Regards,
