Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2008

Speculation is Good for You: How the Harry Potter Series Encourages Theorising and its Effects on the Reader

Linda Jardine

This paper argues that the Harry Potter series both demonstrates how to look behind a character's public persona and invites audiences to learn to do the same. In the process of speculating about the hidden traits of the series' characters, readers can gain valuable real-life skills that can help to reconcile them with the repressed or 'shadow' aspects of their own personalities. Representation of the shadow is particularly varied in the Harry Potter series; the urge to speculate about what is hidden is particularly strong for its readers. But will future readers of the series continue to discuss possibilities amongst themselves?