While characters like Dumbledore, Snape, and Harry were created for an imaginary world, their impact extends far beyond it. Fans look to these characters as models and inspiration for how to live their own lives. But these characters are not simple archetypes, or one dimensional figures. They are complex, changing, and often morally ambiguous people; in other words, they are human. So how do real fans read morality and ethics in these series and apply it to their own lives? Why are so many adamant about reading Snape, perhaps the most morally complex character, as “good”, or at least redeemable? How do questions of representation and visibility of marginalized groups within Potter impact diversity and understanding?
This panel will address how and why morality and ethics move from the page into real life. Panelists will discuss how the series inspires fans to activism in real world issues. They will look at how different characters engage with and provide models for various moral structures. They will discuss the value of Potter as a source for morality, and debate its potential problems and contentions. Join these scholars, activists, and experts for a lively conversation on what it means to be a fan in an era of controversy and cultural change.
