Abstract:
Gothic literature comes in a variety of forms, from horror films to children's books, but regardless of where the Gothic is found, it reflects the fears of the contemporary reading public. This thesis examines the Harry Potter series as Gothic literature and argues that the Potter books reflect a cultural anxiety over the loss of innocence in children through overexposure to information, pressure to grow up too quickly, or other threats. I argue that there is a persistent tension in the series over how much children should be protected, and that often protecting children makes them more vulnerable. As the series progresses into the teen years, the Gothic elements become more pronounced as the main characters are in a liminal stage in adolescence. Voldemort himself may be a monstrous projection of cultural anxiety over teenagers. Finally, I conclude that the heroes of the series are so captivating and personable because they bring the innocence of their childhood into adulthood through the bildungsroman of the series. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione mature, they become adults who strike a medium between the emotional vulnerability of children and the strength and maturity of adults, depicting changing notions of the adult/child binary and perhaps a new ideal.
