“LINGUISTIC CONTROL, POWER, AND POLITICS OF VOICE IN J.K ROWLING’S HARRY POTTER SERIES”

Abstract

This paper looks into the role of language as an instrument of control, power, and defiance in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. The description of the novel uses critical discourse analysis to focus on the systematic micro-level processes of power, identity construction, and the distribution of the ‘speech’ and ‘silence’ dichotomy in the narrative and dialogue. This includes Dumbledore, Voldemort, Hermione, Draco, Kreacher, and house-elves like Dobby who become crucial in grasping the politics of listening and not listening and the real-world dynamics of enabling privilege while marginalizing folks. The telling of the history of ‘reading’ focuses on critical passages and narrative or expository methods that capture how ‘sound’ becomes a political statement; be it Parseltongue, legalist orations, abusive words like ‘Mudblood,’ or quiet defiance from those who are unfortunately left with no voice. The conclusion of the analysis illustrates that the politics of discourse within the wizarding world and their relation to the prevailing order cannot be considered as mere imagination, but rather as purposeful inventions that analyze social and political frameworks. Hence, the reason for suffering in silence becomes embedded in the Harry Potter saga as a powerful tool for ideological and discourse analysis.