J.K. Rowling's Ambivalence Towards Feminism: House Elves - Women in Disguise - in the "Harry Potter" Books

Abstract

Through her representation of house elves as akin to stereotypical oppressed women, J. K. Rowling projects an ambivalent attitude towards feminism. [...] despite the fact that in many ways Rowling creates a world of impressively emancipated and empowered women (two of the founders of Hogwarts were witches, not wizards; Hogwarts has had many headmistresses, not only headmasters; Hermione Granger may be book smart, but she is also a member of Gryffindor House, the house of the brave; the sports coach is a woman, not a man; other examples abound), still, in the world she creates the nuclear family structure is intensely traditional and patriarchal, and the books, of course, focus on a hero, not heroine.