Footnotes - 01: What is "Canon"?

This week we consider how "Dr Faustus" (1592) by Christopher Marlowe speaks to Chapter of "Philosopher's Stone". We think about who is the most "Faustian" character - Quirrell or Voldemort? What does it mean to make a pack with the devil? We also ponder the idea of redemption and its relation to the judgement of good and evil. Thanks for coming on this literary journey with us! 

This week we consider Chapter Sixteen, Through the Trapdoor, and parallel it with Chapter Eight of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. We discuss the trials faced by both Alice and Harry, we think about the various authority figures in both texts, and wonder about the contrast between logic and magic.

We're back with Chapter Fifteen The Forbidden Forest, look at it alongside Book Five of Homer's "The Iliad". We discuss the centaurs's warnings of "Mars is bright tonight" and think about the ferocity and terror of war. We regard the ways in which Dumbledore parallels Zeus and think about the role of fate and Harry's destiny.

We're looking at Chapter Fourteen, Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback, and the story of how Cadmus founded the city of Thebes from Ovid's "Metamorphoses". Paul considers the old saying "fail to prepare, prepare to fail" and we talk about how themes of preparation, responsibility and carelessness are at play here. We also theorise over character motivations: why does Hagrid take such a huge risk with Norbert? And what motivates Malfoy in this chapter? 

This week we're considering Chapter Thirteen, Nicolas Flamel, and Hamlet (Act I, Scene V). We discuss the distinction between duty and desire in relation to Ron and Harry's actions in this chapter. We also think about trust amongst friends, and finding important information from unusual sources.  

We're examining Chapter Twelve, The Mirror of Erised, in parallel with the story of Narcissus as told in Ovid's Metamorphoses. We discuss Harry's welcome into the Weasley family at Christmas, and the gift of the Invisibility Cloak with the message "use it well". We also consider the dangers of desire and obsession when it comes to the Mirror of Erised. We look at Harry and Ron's distinct desires reflected back at them, and muse over Dumbledore's words that "it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live"...

This week we're examining Chapter Eleven, Quidditch, along with the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece from Apollonius's "Argonautica". We discuss the similarities between Hermione and Medea's magic and heroism We also consider the relationship between the sacred and the profane at Hogwarts. We give more thought to the ideas of bravery and recklessness, and what these ideas mean for our rule-breaking trio. 

We take a look at Chapter Ten, Hallowe'en alongside Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. We consider the chivalric code and unspoken rules, disruption to merriment, and the trio's budding friendship.

This week we're sticking with the works of the Bard, looking at his famous play Hamlet (Act I, Scene III) alongside Chapter Nine, The Midnight Duel. We talk about character building and advice-giving. We think about the different types of bravery on show in this chapter and consider the distinction between cunning and scheming.

Welcome to the first Footnotes episode of Ravenclaw Readers! We're taking a bit of a break over the festive season, so we sat down for a casual conversation to discuss the idea of "canon". What counts as "canon" in the Harry Potter universe? How should we consider the books, films, Pottermore, etc. in relation to one another? We do come to some sort of a conclusion, but perhaps it is a bit of a "cop-out". This is an ever-evolving topic - so we'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject!