Exploring representations of gender roles in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the representations of gender roles in popular young adult fantasy literature and how this may be used to portray stereotypically feminine and masculine gender roles. By looking at how gender roles are represented in fantasy literature, I investigate how these representations may contribute to challenge or reinforce gender stereotypes. Simultaneously, I look at how these representations may invite or restrict the promotion and development of the values, ideas, and competence aims in the Norwegian national curriculum (LK20). After introducing the necessary theoretical considerations needed for the analysis and discussion of this thesis, I look at how fantasy, gender, gender stereotypes, and discourses may contribute to the gender representation of the characters in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’ Stone and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Investigating the representation of gender roles in English fantasy literature may contribute to the aims of LK20 regarding personal and social development, along with health and life skills such as gender and identity. The discussion of the two novels and how they can apply to the national curriculum may imply that they contribute to sustain gender stereotypes. This may emphasise the importance of the awareness and critical thinking of teachers and educators regarding selection of teaching materials, and how they use these materials