Midterm Report Philosophy 1030--006 El Jo and Kayla Schindler

Villains of Harry Potter--Bellatrix Lestrange by El Jo

     Many of us are familiar with the Harry Potter series whether it be from the movies or the books. In class, Thursday, my partner and I would like to discuss the philosophies of two well-known villains of Harry Potter and explore why these two characters are actually the heroes of the story. One of the most iconic characters we are familiar with is Bellatrix Lestrange. A cruel villain, Bellatrix is often the most misunderstood character. 

     Bellatrix is a Death Eater, a term given to loyal followers of Voldemort, the Dark Lord. But was this all by her choice? The books certainly gear her towards a mindless follower. In fact, Sirius Black, her once-favorite cousin, states that all of their family agreed with Voldemort and would gladly give up their life as his followers. In other words, we see that Bellatrix has grown up, hearing the same ideologies that Voldemort had--Pure-blood families are the elite and best. Pure-blood families are those with no Muggles (or non-magic people) in their family line. J.K. Rowling as part of her Pottermore website even wrote an article on this. In it, she states that there are only 28 Pure-blood families in the Wizarding World (Pure-Blood). 

 

     Now, imagine that you are Bellatrix. All your life you have been told that Muggles are filthy and stupid. From a very young age, you have been indoctrinated to hate people who cannot use magic. Hate breeds hate, and that is exactly what happened with Bellatrix. Sirius Black even said that his family were the ones spouting nonsense about how they were proud of their pure-blood status. Any member who failed to conform were promptly burned out of the family tree. You were brought up knowing that you're family was one of the few families who had a pure-bloodline. You were brought up knowing that every day the pure-blood family one was slowly dwindling. In fact, you were brought up to lead your two younger sisters, beautiful as they are, to follow in your families' footsteps and create future generations of pure-bred children. 

 

     Now, imagine that your sister--your beautiful sister--abandoned all of your ideals. She married a Muggle. 

     Now, imagine that your favorite cousin--the cousin who could match you in skill--ran away from home, claiming he hated your family's ideology. 

     Now, imagine you're on your own. Alone. You have only one younger sister left. You're left begging to anyone and everyone that your other sister would not abandon you. 

     Now, imagine that you've met a wizard. He's tall, well-dressed, and speaks eloquently. He has the same ideas you have been raised on. The very foundation of pureness that you wish for the world, and he has a plan for it. He plans to purify everything. You would want to join him, and you do. That is exactly what Bellatrix did. Perhaps it was by her choice that she was by his side, but it was more out of desperation. She was desperate to have her family survive. She was desperate to have her family not disappear and be muddled with other people. She was desperate to cling on to the one thing she knew could not betray her--her blood. 

 

     This is the topic that we will be presenting on Thursday. Bellatrix's philosophy is rooted in her desperation for her family's pride and survival. Even if everyone has abandoned her family, she will not. She will fight until the very end to save her family. 

Quiz Questions 

1) How many Pure-blood families are in the Wizarding World? 

2) What is the term given to loyal followers of Voldemort?

3) Who ran away from home, claiming that he hated how his family spouted nonsense about the pure-bloodline? 

4) Who married a Muggle in the family in relation to Bellatrix? 

Daily Discussion: 

1) Do you know anyone who is willing to sacrifice everything for their family? Would you do the same, knowing that you have to throw away your humanity to kill and torture if it was for the sake of your family? 

2) Sirius Black said that he couldn't stand his family. What are some instances when a difference of opinions with your family members threatened to break your family? Are there cases where a difference of opinions can break a family apart? 

3) Why do you think Bellatrix was so desperate to "save" her family? What drove her to that point? 

4) What are you desperate about that you would do anything to "save" this one thing or person? Could you be so desperate to do some of the things that Bellatrix has done?

Works Used:

https://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/pure-blood

https://www.pottermore.com/explore-the-story/bellatrix-lestrange

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling, J.K., Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. New York: Listening Library, 2003.) 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Rowling, J.K., Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New york, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007.)