Is JK Rowlings anti-American?

Question

I'm asking this question because of what isn't in the Harry Potter books (which I have thoroughly enjoyed, BTW). Hogwarts interacts with counterparts from France & Eastern Europe, and there are mentions of wizardry in places such as Romania, Egypt, Ireland, etc. But nothing about America, which would be very out of place in the contemporary Muggle side of England. Is America just too far away, or is JK Rowlings following the footsteps of such British America-bashers (all admittedly distinguished novelists) as Charles Dickens, Graham Greene, and John LeCarre?

Answer 1

She actually answered this very question, but I don't have the link to it handy. To paraphrase what she said, she said the absence of any reference to America is not meant as any slight. She pointed out that there are many countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand (which are part of the British Commonwealth) that aren't mentioned in the stories. She said she is simply telling a story that takes place in Great Britain, and to work in various other countries just for the sake of including them would be extraneous to the plot.

Answer 2

I don't think that JK Rowling is anti-American. She has addressed this issue in one of her interviews. I think (if I remember correctly without checking Mugglenet or the Leaky Cauldron) that she said America, being a separate continent was too far away to have any impact on the story. Voldemort is out to conquer the wizarding world, and is starting with Europe. There is at least one brief mention of wizards in America, though. The 4th book, The Goblet of Fire, mentions The Salem Witches Institute, when Harry is at the Quidditch match.

Answer 3

I think I perceive a certain sarcasm in the question. It mirrors the frequent complaints about many Hollywood movies to the effect that they don't "mention" other parts of the world, and are therefore evidence of American isolationism, ignorance, egotism, etc. So the logical question is: if an American movie which does not mention other countries is anti-World, does that make a foreign book which does not mention America anti-American?

Answer 4

Preferring the style of British cinema doesn't make her anti-American. If she was truly against America, she wouldn't have allowed The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to be built in Orlando. To the person above me: You seriously want to claim Charlie Sheen??

Answer 5

You sound like yet another paranoid American. Just because the USA doesn't get a mention in J.K.Rowling's books, why should you deduce she is anti-American? Do you think USA should get a mention in everyone's writings? And since when was Charles Dickens an 'America- basher'?

Answer 6

No, I don't think so. American witches are mentioned GoF. I think it is because the series is set in England. Remember, that all your examples are either places people rtravaled to, or places that are mentioned in GoF in the Quidditch World Cup.

Answer 7

She's not Anti-American. Her books are situated in England. It makes sense to have more interaction on that side of the pond then over here.

After all, how many american writers are there? I highly doubt many of them feature English characters in their books. That doesn't make them Anti-British. We all tend to stick with areas we know.

Answer 8

Well thats why the book talk about the place of there so is just a book you ssee that the genre is fantasy/fiction or tell me that you know where hogwarts is? come ON so i dont think tha she is racist or anti american

Please!! Help Me!!
Who aready read the book "The Watsons go to Birmingham"?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070522162730AARXFdp&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwI7NuE.w_RHCR_klvamF1hJj.FPwLYBF6oQ--&paid=asked&msgr_status=
Bye & Thanks

Answer 9

No i dont think she is a basher just wants her books and movies just all brit this and that.

Answer 10

OH please. Could we be any more petty! Writers of fiction or anything else for that matter, should not have to worry about being "politically correct"! It's a story for god's sake. Get a life.