The enslavement of the House-Elves : A comparative study on the depiction and the treatment of the house-elves in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels with an anti-racist focus on empathy in the EFL classroom

Abstract: This essay explores the hierarchy amongst the characters in J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter novels with a theoretical focus on Critical Race Theory. The representation of the house-elves will be examined in relation to racism and slavery, which will be compared to values that have been influential in the past and that still shape society today. The result reveals that racism and slavery is presented throughout the novels and has a distinct connection with the British Empire as well as with Great Britain today. Counter narratives exhibit a new truth that is unveiled through the stories of the house-elves and create better understanding regarding discrimination. A pedagogical analysis has in addition been conducted on the novels to enhance the counter narratives through empathy. The student will with the novels, receive different perspectives that can help them to develop their empathic abilities.