English 2034 Postwar England

England at 1945: Rebuilding Although the war is won in April 1945, England has sustained heavy damage and loss of life from German bombings. Rowling lost her mother and disliked her father, but it’s not surprising that being orphaned is a literary theme in postwar British literature.

Postwar England

The Rise of Popular Culture in England (1950s)

Teddy Boys – Anti-austerity

British Culture in the 60s English culture, 1960s Despite its actual ‘empire’ shrinking, England recovered by the 1960s to become an affluent nation and a fashion, music, and cultural trendsetter.

The British Invasion The Beatles Gerry & the Pacemakers Spencer Davis Group Rolling Stones The Who Led Zeppelin (4:30)

English culture, 1970s The Sex Pistols England was increasingly hurt by energy crises, labor strikes, violent conflicts with Ireland, and declining standards of living in the 1970s. One reaction was the ugly street-level subculture of punk, a reaction to the economic troubles of the younger generation.

English culture, 1980s Economic recovery was slow, and England was increasingly split by a cultural conflict between conservative, traditional England (pro-Thatcher) and a new vibrant subculture of new wave and metal. Immigration was also making the country more ethnically diverse. Human League Madness Judas Priest Culture Club

English culture, 1990s Although England had a revival of culture in the “Cool Brittania” movement of the late 90’s with bands like Oasis, The Spice Girls, and Robbie Williams, the 90’s were less economically or culturally eventful, though the country continued to become more multicultural through immigration. Spice Girls

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1998)

Joanne K. Rowling 1965- Born in England Worked as a secretary for Amnesty International Came up with the idea for Harry Potter while on a train in 1990 Lived in poverty and social assistance as a single divorced mother with a daughter Sees “Hermione” as a sort of caricature of herself as a young girl Identifies as a Christian; sees the novels’ witchcraft as fantasy Present worth: estimated $800 million, the richest author in history

The England of Harry Potter Despite its magical elements, the English setting of Harry Potter is still fairly conservative, with traditional families and little ethnic diversity. The novels evade much of the cultural splits in England and its punk/ new wave/ movements by creating a different ‘wizard’ world. Class is still an important socioeconomic distinction in England, though weaker than in earlier decades. There is little working class poverty in Harry Potter despite Rowling’s past.

The Schools of Harry Potter Not all English parents can afford to send their children to a boarding school, but much of the architecture and traditions in them are like Hogwarts Victorian / Gothic architecture School outfits Headmasters and strict discipline Houses and house tables and traditions Violent rugby (instead of Quidditch)