Archetypes and Stereotypes in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series

Abstract

This essay explores the archetypal hero and gender stereotypes in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Using both theories about the hero genre and the discussion of the Harry Potter novels themselves, I argue that despite following the literary structure of the archetypal hero, and sharing many of the composite hero’s traits, Harry Potter breaks the stereotype and challenges the traditional hero narrative. I will also argue that Harry Potter goes against many of the gender stereotypes that often occur in literature. This essay will mainly focus on Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, but side characters as well to some extent.