Gender Roles in Harry Potter: Stereotypical or Unconventional?

Abstract: In this essay I will analyze the three main characters in the Harry Potter books based on how they perform gender. My main focus is if the characters challenge gender stereotypes or if they build on clichés, norms and stereotypes when it comes to performing gender. By performing a close reading of the novels and by theorizing them with the help of Judith Butler's theory on gender as something performative I have come to the conclusion that the Harry Potter novels both challenge and do not challenge te stereotypes of gender. However, all characters show both masculine and feminine characteristics and that is what makes the novels unconventional in this aspect.