Ruddy Stargazers (by Aia)

Apologies for taking so long to contribute – I blame the scorching FL heat (although I’m sure it’s not any better in DC).

For those of you who have read the series before: is it just me or do these books get better with every reading?!

I was happy to see Determinism/Libertarian Agency as one of the discussion points for this series because I think Rowling takes an interesting – albeit contradictory – stance on the matter. It is the characters’ choices that determine who they are (Harry and his decision to not to be a part of Slytherin) versus an external agency that determines/limits the characters’ abilities (existence of Squibs…and, seriously, who doesn’t feel a little sympathy for Filch once you discover the source of his resentment?). Rowling epitomizes the determinism-libertarian agency opposition through the centaurs’ disagreement over their role in wizard affairs in Sorcerer’s Stone. On the one hand you have Firenze who, using information gleaned from the stars, interferes to save Harry’s life in the forest and, on the other, you have Ronan and Bane who “are sworn not to set [them]selves against the heavens” (257).

The centaurs occupy a fascinating position in the series: able to glean information from the movements of planets and stars, they can foretell future events but all at the cost of remaining disinterested and uninvolved. The heavens determine future events and it would seem that all creatures beneath them are powerless to control/prevent them. And, yet, individual agency appears through the character of Firenze who leaps in front of Harry to protect him from the shadowy figure hovering over the dead unicorn. Where did this individual agency come from? And, more importantly, why?

It’ll be interesting to follow Firenze and the other centaurs throughout the series to see what develops. Rowling seems determined to highlight that individual agency is not only possible but powerful against an authority that seeks to determine/control events. Perhaps it is a commentary against apathy as well.

Alright, thanks for reading and looking forward to reading your own thoughts! Finished the first three and will be starting Goblet of Fire pretty soon. :)