An Inclusive Litany

1/30/01

The French newspaper Liberation published a Marxist structuralist analysis of the Harry Potter books, concluding that the series is not about the struggle between Good and Evil, but about the "conflict between established and rising classes." The young sorcerer is a sexist neo-conservative meritocrat who perpetuates a "degrading image of women." Young Harry is a "political allegory" of the triumph of the socially ascendant petit bourgeoisie. Progressive, non-sexist and non-elitist children are strongly urged to avoid the books.