“Reading, Writing, Rowling” Episode 26: “Humor and Harry Potter (Part 1)”

by · August 12, 2019

What are your favorite funny moments in Harry Potter?

 

 

J.K. Rowling’s deft use of humor is one of the core reasons for the success of the Harry Potter series, yet one which is not much discussed. In this first of a two-part episode, we remedy that lack! Katy talks with Emily Strand (Mount Carmel College of Nursing), Caitlin Harper (NYDA, Harry Potter Alliance—New York City), and Louise Freeman (Mary Baldwin University) about the silliest scenes, wittiest phraseology, funniest foods, and most amusing characters in the Harry Potter series. We start this episode with a round-robin of our favorites, including those suggested by RWR listeners and friends of the show. We talk about Rowling’s comedy influences and analyze the kinds of humor she does best. This episode will tickle your funny bone and remind you of some of the cleverest parts of both the books and the movies.

Stay tuned for our next episode (#27), when we follow up with more hilarious moments and use psychological and literary analyses to find out why Rowling’s use of humor works (and when it doesn’t) as well as how it helps us deal with the darker, more serious themes of the series.

Did we name your favorite funny moment? Please join the conversation via email (ReadingWritingRowling@gmail.com), Twitter (ReadWriteRowl), or our Facebook page! We’d love to hear from you.

Laurie Beckoff

My Harry Potter journey began in 2000 when I was six and continued through a bachelor's thesis and master's dissertation on medievalism in the series. I'm a Gryffindor from New York City with a passion for theatre, fantasy, Arthurian legend, and science fiction.