Finding a Place on the Literary Map: Harry Potter, Secondary Worlds, and Post-Potter Fantasy

Abstract

ABSTRACT As the third foot in a literary triad that has defined secondary world fantasy for 70 years, Rowling owes a debt to both Tolkien and Lewis in terms of the discourse of story and the construction of her secondary world. Critics variously position Rowling’s series as heteronormative fantasy and consumer product. In reviewing the critical approach to Harry as heteronormative hero, and reconsidering Rowling’s position as part of this literary triad, this article seeks to examine the series in its representation of the hero in the context of story, and argues for a double gendered reading of the boy hero.