New Harry Potter film: allegory about the Bush administration? (Spoilers, maybe?)

[bbernardini]

I know the book the new film is based on came out in 2003, but it seems to me that through the adaptation for the screen (in terms of both dialogue and visual design), certain aspects of the film are designed to reflect the Bush administration.

I'll admit, this was not a totally original idea. Somebody else posted the theory that Umbridge's mannerisms were patterned after Laura Bush, and I can completely see that. However, consider the following:

1. Fudge and his associates at the Ministry of Magic are in complete denial about Voldemort's return, much like the Bush administration is in complete denial about the war and its consequences. (This could more specifically refer to the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.)

2. The desire to completely revamp the curriculum at Hogwarts so that everything is geared toward the OWL exams is a direct swipe at "No Child Left Behind." (Umbridge even states that testing is the most important thing.) It is clear to the students that they're not learning anything useful, and they say as much.

3. Hagrid's brother, the giant, looked like Alfred E. Newman and Bush. He wasn't very smart, either.

4. Voldemort and the Death Eaters represent the neocons, as they take particular delight in torture and suffering. The Ministry of Magic (Fudge, Umbridge, etc.) are the Republicans who have had their party taken away from them, and are living in denial and constant fear. Dumbledore, the Gryffindor students, and the Order of the Phoenix (and its associates) are the Democrats. I'm fairly certain Snape represents Joe Lieberman.

I welcome any additional input on the idea.

[mzteris]

1. Snape is NOT Lieberman.

And the giant was NICE so he can't be bush.

I think it's allegory for good vs. evil - period.

And if you inject any of the evils for any of the goods - you get a pretty good allegory for just about any situation.

Take "real goodness" vs. "fake religion" for one thing.

I wanted to make every fundie I know (who HATES HP) and make them watch that segment on good and evil. How can they not see that this movie, these books are NOT about promoting EVIL but OVERCOMING EVIL.

[Ava]

2. they were not designed to reflect the bush administration imo

they were designed to fit the harry potter series. it's a fictional movie about wizards and i like the series and see it for nothing more than it is - which imo is not an allegory to the bush admin. however, we each can make our own allegories with everything in life.

:hi:

[fishwax]

3. the ministry, though, tries to disspell all concern about terror/voldemort, quite unlike

the administration we have ...

[uppityperson]

4. We are living in a cliche

Good vs evil, denial vs honesty, wanting Saviours rather than doing what needs to be done yourself. Common theme in books so why the hell do we need to live it?

[FloridaJudy]

5. I was struck by how the "M' logo

On the Ministry of Magic looked like an upside-down version of that annoying "W" you see on the backs of monster SUVs and over-sized pickup trucks.

Later in the movie, though, a "W" actually makes its appearance, and its meaning is quite different from the American one. Our "W" would hardly approve the anarchy and disrespect for authority that lead up to it.

As to Dolores Umbridge, that woman is definitely a Republican: anti-sex, anti-science, anti-independent thought. I kept picturing her as a mini-me version of Katherine Harris.

And you're right: Gawp did look an awful lot like Chimpy, down to the creased brow and bewildered eyes. But Gawp is far too well-meaning to be Bushie. He's dumb, but not malicious.