Othermothering and Othermothers in the Harry Potter Series

Authors

  • Aurélie Lacassagne

Abstract

The Harry Potter series quickly became a classic of children’s literature and remains to date the most read work in the history of literature. That is certainly a good reason to examine more closely its representations of mothers and motherhood. In this paper, I argue that maternal practices and representations, particularly of othermother figures and othermothering practices, are central to the <em>Harry Potter</em> series and that they have specific psychological and social functions. I propose a typology of othermothers portrayed in this literary work. I then explore the psychological functions of other- mothers for readers. Lastly, I show the paramount role played by othermothers in social and political mobilization.

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How to Cite

Lacassagne, A. (2016). Othermothering and Othermothers in the Harry Potter Series. Journal of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement, 7(1). Retrieved from https://jarm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/jarm/article/view/40326