On Anthony Goldstein: Judaism In The Potterverse

On Anthony Goldstein: Judaism in the Potterverse

[NOTE: I don’t know why I have been obsessed with this for like, the last week, but I have, so here you go. Also, I cannot believe an Anthony Goldstein tag actually exists on Tumblr. When I despair, I am reminded that no one quite obsesses over barely-extant characters like the HP fandom, and I love them for it.]

I find Anthony Goldstein a really fascinating way to think about the way that a Jewish character would fit into the wider spectrum of the magical world as realized by JK Rowling. On the surface, it shouldn’t matter. A Jew should’t be any different from any other minority culture shoved into Ravenclaw (which for what it’s worth seems to be the house that stereotypically high-achieving minorities get sorted into). And yet it’s a question worth thinking about, particularly because Rowling’s world is constructed on notions specifically Christian in character.

This largely boils down to the struggle of Absolute Good vs Absolute Evil, with terms of morality used as alternative names for God and Satan, two independent forces in eternal opposition. This dichotomy isn’t really a thing in Judaism (Satan is understood as an agent of God). The books are ultimately framed in the context of this struggle, from the world building to Harry’s personal coming of age and fight against Voldemort. It is the very foundation of British Wizarding culture, and to not proscribe to this view would leave someone like Anthony Goldstein permanently alienated.

Culture clash would arise for Goldstein out of such things as the notion of ‘the Dark Arts.’ In traditional Potterverse, the Dark Arts are 'Dark’ because of some evil that seems inherent in the nature of the creature/spell. The reaction toward such magic is 'defense,’ by either learning how to beat the creatures, or counteract the spellwork. Judaism would not, arguably, make the distinction between good and evil magic in such terms. They would not be mutually exclusive. Magic would be considered evil in the context of its practitioner, not so much in the particulars of a spell or beast. Specifically, magic would be primarily understood as evil if the one who uses it does so to render himself a God-like figure. The ramifications of this would be subtle but significant. Voldemort, for instance, would be evil not because of the magic that he uses, but because he uses it with the intent to elevate himself above the condition of man, and exact powers that humanity should not possess.

This would give rise to the question of whether any sort of magical power is permissible for humans, a question that I could see being an ongoing concern for Goldstein, particularly as he presumably lacks the presence and affirmation of other Jewish wizards in Hogwarts. I could see Goldstein as someone predisposed to disciplines that require an individual to not see himself or herself in inherent opposition with a type of magic, such as Care of Magical Creatures.

Jewish tradition has a history of magic different from that of medieval Britain, from which a lot of the stock images and sentiment in Potterverse arises. Rather than identifying with Merlin, or the Witches burned at the stake, a Jewish wizard might instead look instead to the 'miracles’ of certain medieval Rabbis, or Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel and the Golem of Prague, or King Solomon. Demons instead of Goblins as the morally ambiguous, humanoid figure. Dybbuks instead of Boggarts. Magic derived from Hebrew as opposed to Latin. There is the potential that Goldstein would find himself, or his family, identifying with a magical past and identity that would have very little to do with that adopted by British wizardry, and by extension Hogwarts as a community and educational establishment.

Then of course there is the fun of parsing apart the whose and wheres of Anthony Goldstein. Is he a North London Jew? The next generation of an old British family? Or apart of one of the twentieth century Jewish-immigration waves? Is there a wider Jewish Wizarding community, or is he an anomaly? The last of a tradition? Judaism’s rich tradition of fantasy storytelling and folktales were largely wiped out along with the rural European communities that fostered them, so it wouldn’t be far-fetched that if there was a larger Jewish Wizarding community, it had all but vanished after the Holocaust, and that people like Goldstein represent what remains of a nearly-extinct subculture.

Anti-Semitism was historically a feature of elite British boarding schools, and it would not be unreasonable to assume that it would extend to magical ones, especially seeing as there is even less of an established Jewish presence in the magical community than the muggle one.

Anthony Goldstein would likely never have a place where he could realize himself fully, constantly requiring to either subdue his magic, or his Jewishness in turn. He would find himself alienated on a fundamental level with the British magical community, and would be plagued by doubt when it came to the practice of magic. He would be perceptive and capable at communicating with magical non-humans, and would not see magic as a source of darkness, but the human thirst for power. He would distrust magical assertions of authority, and would find himself burdened with a past that his education has not equipped him to fully understand.

Jeddy headcanons (i need more of this ship in my life I'm)

(This is in a universe where everything is legal and consensual and the age difference is not creepy at all just in case) — - Teddy is totally the little spoon - James’s favorite hair color on Teddy is actually pink. - Teddy’s favorite part of James’s body is his collarbones - James could spend hours watching Teddy studying, because when he focuses really hard his lower lip kind of juts out in the most adorable pout. - Teddy blushes and sucks in his lip every time James points this out. - At first they were so reluctant to tell their family they were together, but ended up unintentionally making out in the Potter’s backyard for the whole family to see. (The unintentional part was the audience, not the kissing. Obviously) - Teddy loved the way James had a tendency to fall asleep while he played with Teddy’s hair. One minute the hand was moving, the other James was snoring softly. - They rarely fought, but when they did, they didn’t speak to each other for at least a week, after which each of them was too drained without then other’s company, and got back together without a word. - Lily Luna was literally the biggest shipper. She loved her three gay brothers. - Teddy and James were prone to fall asleep in front of the muggle TV at the Potter’s, tangled up in each other. Everyone wonder how that could ever be comfortable but they never asked - James said ‘I love you’ first, to everyone’s surprised. -Teddy said it less than half a second after. - Their first kiss happened under the willow by the lake (no, not the whomping one), in autumn, when they were freezing to death but too immersed with each other to either notice or care. - Teddy cried a lot about his parents. James was always there, no matter how many times. - Like his dad, Teddy had a tendency to self-loath, something he and James often fought about. - James just couldn’t believe how such an amazing human being could hate himself so much. He tried to prove every one of Teddy’s arguments wrong every day. - They loved each other so much.

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pseudovia-blog

6 years ago

all pedophiles should die and theres literally no downside to them all dropping dead

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pseudovia-blog

6 years ago

“When are any of my kids going to get a girlfriend?”

Harry asked this aloud at the dinner table.

Both James and Albus tensed. Teddy snorted.

James’ eyes quickly flicked up to the multicoloured teen across the table from him, noticing the small smirk on the other boys face. If his father knew what went on between the two, God only knows what would happen.

It wasn’t that Harry was homophobic; he just hadn’t realised that his children were homosexual.

Albus’ mind flickered to the young Malfoy boy he shared a dorm with, a small smile growing on his face as he remembered tender touches from time spent at school. Perhaps just a peck on the lips or a hold of a hand, but it was enough to make the young boy blush.

Lily Luna glanced at her brothers, until she made direct eye contact with Teddy next to her. He raised his eyebrows jokingly, aware of her knowledge of what went on in her brother’s lives. She had been attending Hogwarts for three years, and was very observant, so it was clear to her that her brother’s were gay.

As Teddy’s eyes shone with a certain mischief, the young girl took it as a challenge.

“Oh, I can invite her for Easter if you want, dad?” The bisexual young one smiled, “I’m sure she’d be delighted, she’s a big fan of not letting people die.”

“Oh,” Harry spluttered, “Yes, okay,” His eyes searched for help from his wife, until realising she was visiting her mother that evening, “Um, anymore confessions?” he carried on jokingly.

“I’m gay,” both of his sons stated in sync, as Teddy Lupin burst out laughing.

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pseudovia-blog

6 years ago

theoi as Aesthetics™ cause i feel like it ig

Zeus

sunlight beaming through dark clouds, cold winds that burn your cheeks, lightning that illuminates the sky for just a fraction of a second, strong wings and sharp talons

Hera

golden rings slightly dulled after years of wear, lotus flowers floating upon pools of water, wedding gifts wrapped in gold paper, peacock feathers that glimmer in the sun

Poseidon

jagged rocks decorated by barnacles and seaweed, clouds of sand kicked up by a horse galloping across a seashore, rusted old treasures lost to the deep ocean, waves that lap gently over the sand or crash fiercely against the rocks

Haides

large dogs bearing sharp teeth, old coins blackened and rusted by time, animal bones half-buried under dark soil, silver rings on pallid fingers

Demeter

long grass brushing against your legs, freshly baked bread in a wicker picnic basket, golden honeycomb, fields of grain ready for harvest

Aphrodite

lipstick stains in shades of red and pink, doves perched upon blossoming branches, love letters written in smudged red ink, the opalescent underside of a scallop shell

Apollo

crowns of bay leaves resting on curly hair, golden instruments polished until gleaming, poems scrawled on walls in marker pen, bandages carefully wrapped over wounds

Artemis

feather-tipped arrows, flowers and leaves braided into a wreath, deer drinking from a brook in the forest, moonlight shining through the evergreen branches of tall trees

Ares

bandages over bruised and scratched knuckles, flaming molotovs soaring through the air, crossed swords mounted on old walls, fading scars that stretch across shoulder blades

Athena

books with creased spines and dog-eared pages, owls with thick feathers and wide eyes, ornate swords and shields from ancient eras long forgotten, sharp eyes full of wisdom and knowledge

Dionysos

limbs tangled in red velvet sheets, wild and uncontrolled laughter, garlands of ivy and purple flowers, red wine spilling over the glass, kissing the lips of marble statues

Hephaestos

gears that fit together like puzzle pieces, the soft crackling of a fire, palms stained with oil and soot, the methodic clanking of iron hitting iron, gifts of handmade jewellery

Hermes

shoes worn through from walking, antique maps and globes and golden compasses, a messenger bag filled with letters and parcels, sly smiles and deft hands

Hestia

warm clean sheets, a small vase of flowers on the windowsill, warming your hands near the fireplace, cups of tea and home-baked fairycakes

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pseudovia-blog

6 years ago

🌹 a flower for everyone not feeling their best today

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pseudovia-blog

6 years ago

Harry: Let me show you a picture from last night that really upset me.

James: Okay, but in my defense, Teddy bet me five sickles I couldn’t drink all that shampoo.

Harry: That’s not what I-

Harry: You drank shampoo?!

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7 years ago

Personally I love Ron as a character because he himself isn't exactly one-sided. Like he obviously isn't the most perfect character to ever he written, but I think that was kind of the point.

With Hermione, in most instances she wasn't my cup of tea because honestly our personalities conflict so much with each other, but she's still one of my favorites despite this. Yes, I think she deserved someone so much better than Ron, I mean Hermione freaking Granger deserved the world and instead she's stuck in this perpetual vortex of mundanity with and admittedly handsome redhead with more insecurity problems than cheese cake.

However, they definately have their amazingly cute moments.

But I do agree, Ron and Hermione just weren't compatible. Hermione needs someone who can match up to her emotional maturity level and just kind of take care of her even though we all know she can take care of herself. And Ron just needs anyone to give him attention I guess. Honestly I think Ron is just one of those people who works best single, you know?

Like they definately worked-ish for a bit but their marriage I can see going up in flames.

Why don't you ship Ron and Hermione ?

I don’t find that they have compatible personalities and I hate friends to lovers tropes when the guy doesn’t notice or treat the girl very nicely until someone else takes notice of her and then he gets mad about it.

I’m ok with them doing the “we dated in high school” thing but married with kids? Nah.

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