Ideologies in the Harry Potter Series: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

The purposes of this study were: 1) to examine ideologies of the 5 magical groups in the Harry Potter series, 2) to analyse language strategies used in manipulation of the 5 magical groups in the series, and 3) to investigate factors affecting the polarisation between US and THEM of the 5 magical groups in the series. By the application of lexicalisation, Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework, and van Dijk’s sociocognitive approach, it is found that there were 11 ideologies: 1) Blood Status, 2) Racism, 3) Construction of Bravery, 4) Construction of Fear, 5) Equality, 6) Hostility and Partisanship, 7) Dedication, 8) Slavery, 9) Concealing the Truth, 10) Superiority, and 11) Power.

The findings revealed that the ideologies were reproduced through face-to-face communication, declaration, media, instruction, and educational system. Interestingly, the results showed that the ideology of Fear was reproduced by social members themselves. In addition, the findings showed that third-personal pronouns were employed at the highest frequency as referential devices to convey the ideology of Hostility and Partisanship.

The analysis of strategies used in manipulation revealed that the discourse producers applied positive self-presentation and negative other-presentation. Social structure, situational contexts, political power, social status, shared knowledge, background knowledge, interpersonal relations, experiences, and personal beliefs were factors affecting manipulation and polarisation.

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